Health economic theory 7.5 credits

About the course

In this course, theoretical concepts and models from economics are used to analyse health and health care production, demand, and financing. The course deepens the student's understanding of how health care differs from other sectors from an economic perspective. It also highlights similarities, such as how consumers'/patients' and providers' behaviour is influenced by incentives. Optimal care - in terms of the quantity, quality, cost, and distribution of care in the population - is discussed from a theoretical perspective and linked to the economic tools available to policy makers to mitigate key market failures and manage demand and supply. Topics to be discussed include: pre-payment (through taxation, private or social insurance), provider payment methods (budget, fee-for-service, capitation, pay-for-performance) and patient choice (patient-driven competition to improve quality of care). The course also introduces students to the classical Grossman model (1972) of health as human capital and empirical studies of how health and socioeconomic variables influence each other. No prior knowledge of economics is required but a limited amount of mathematical notation will be used to describe several of the models.

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Autumn 2025
- Health economic theory
  
  International admissions round
  
  Autumn 2025 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  1 October 2025
  
  Ends
  2 November 2025
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Teaching hours
  Daytime
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-F3022
  
  Eligibility For non-programme students applying as single-course students, the requirements are 120 ECTS, of which a minimum of 30 ECTS are within one of the following: health and healthcare, environmental health or social sciences. English proficiency equivalent to English B/6 from Swedish Upper secondary education.
  
  Selection
  Academic credits
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 15 January 2025. The application period is closed.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 20,013
  
  Total fee: SEK 20,013
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
- Health economic theory
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  Autumn 2025 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Submit a late application
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  1 October 2025
  
  Ends
  2 November 2025
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Teaching hours
  Daytime
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-30445
  
  Eligibility For non-programme students applying as single-course students, the requirements are 120 ECTS, of which a minimum of 30 ECTS are within one of the following: health and healthcare, environmental health or social sciences. English proficiency equivalent to English B/6 from Swedish Upper secondary education.
  
  Selection
  Academic credits
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 15 April 2025. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Submit a late application at Universityadmissions.se.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 20,013
  
  Total fee: SEK 20,013
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

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Late applications
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.

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