Swedish name: Masterprogram i folkhälsovetenskap med inriktning mot hälsoekonomi
This programme syllabus is valid: HT21 and until further notice
Programme syllabus for programmes starting HT21
Programme syllabus for programmes starting HT16 and until HT21
Programme code: VAHEM
Credit points: 120
Registration number: FS 3.1.3-1504-20
Responsible faculty: Faculty of Medicine
Established by: Board of the Faculty of Medicine, 2015-12-15
Revised by: Board of the Faculty of Medicine, 2020-08-26
A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) or an equivalent higher education of a minimum 180 higher education credits (ECTS) from an internationally recognised University, in Public Health, Healthcare, Health Education, Health Pedagogy, Pharmacy, Economics, Business Administration (Controlling, Financial Management, Entrepreneurship, Financing, Management, Accounting), or another relevant field in social or behavioural science. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.
After completing the programme, a student may apply for and obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) Main Field of Study Public Health with a specialization in Health Economics in accordance with the local degree description established by the Vice-Chancellor (see the Umeå University website).
The programme is comprised of second-cycle studies. The intended learning outcomes can be found in Chapter 1, Section 9 of the Higher Education Act.
Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall
Competence and skills
For a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall
Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall
Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 30 credits in the main field of study. The degree project may comprise less than 30 credits, however no less than 15 credits, if the student has already completed an independent project in the second cycle for at least 15 credits in the main field of study or the equivalent from a programme of study outside Sweden.
Each syllabus contains information about the forms of examination used on that particular course.
Each syllabus contains information about which grading scales are used for that particular course.
A student who believes that they have knowledge from previous studies or professional experience equivalent to a course or course element in the programme may apply for credit transfer. An approved credit transfer means that the student does not have to take the element or elements covered by the decision. Information about credit transfer can be found on the Umeå University website.
The studies in the Master's Programme in Public Health with a specialization in health economics comprise of a total of 4 semesters (2 years), which corresponds to courses of a total 120 higher education credits. The programme is carried out in collaboration between the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health and Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics.
The studies are characterised by a high degree of independence, actively seeking knowledge, problem solving, critical analysis and evaluation based on a scientific approach. The work formats vary between individual work, work in study groups, seminars and lectures. The course syllabi present the entry requirements applicable for each course. All teaching will be in English. The degree project covers 30 credits within the programme's main field of study and takes the form of two separate theses that are examined during semester 2 and semester 4 respectively.
It is possible to complete the programme after 2 semesters (1 year), i.e. 60 credits. A student may then apply for and obtain a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) Main Field of Study: Public Health in accordance with the local degree description established by the Vice-Chancellor (see the Umeå University website).
Compulsory courses are the courses all programme students normally take. A student who has been admitted to the programme is guaranteed a place on all compulsory courses, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for the course in question. The eligibility requirements are stated in each respective course syllabus.
Elective courses
Elective courses are a selection of courses offered by Umeå University within the scope of the programme and where the student chooses which courses they want to register for. The student is guaranteed a place in any of these courses, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for the course in question. However, the student is not guaranteed a place on the course that was their first choice. The eligibility requirements are stated in each respective course syllabus.
The courses included in the programme and the order in which they are taken can be found under the heading "Outline".
Information about deferment of the start of studies can be found on the Umeå University website.
Information about leave from studies can be found on the Umeå University website.
Information about non-completion can be found on the Umeå University website.
Course roll-call
All course roll-calls are compulsory. Exemption from roll-calls can only be granted by the course coordinator. Absence without a valid excuse can lead to the loss of the student's place on the course.
Plagiarism policy
Umeå University has a plagiarism policy which can be found on the Umeå University website.
Transitional rules
This programme syllabus replaces the syllabus from 02/02/2017. Students who began their studies under the syllabus from 02/02/2017 have the right to apply for a degree in accordance with this previous plan.
To find out what compulsory and elective courses are, see the heading "General" above. Most courses in the programme's 4 semesters are compulsory. However, semester three does contain certain elective elements. Furthermore, some courses given during the second year have eligibility requirements
Course | Credits | Semester | Level | Compulsory (C) or Elective (E) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Global public health | 10 | 1 | A | C |
Biostatistics | 5 | 1 | A | C |
Epidemiology | 10 | 1 | A | C |
Qualitative methodology for public health | 5 | 1 | A | C |
Course | Credits | Semester | Level | Compulsory (C) or Elective (E) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Health systems: Organization and financing | 5 | 2 | A | C |
Health economic evaluation methods | 5 | 2 | A | C |
Theory and management in health promotion | 5 | 2 | A | C |
Master's thesis, first year | 15 | 2 | A | C |
Course | Credits | Semester | Level | Compulsory (C) or Elective (E) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Evidence based public health Equity and health | 4 3.5 | 3 3 | A A | E E |
Tools and methods for economists | 7.5 | 3 | A | E |
Health economic theory | 7.5 | 3 | A | C |
Advanced biostatistics and epidemiology | 7.5 | 3 | A | E |
Social and environmental entrepreneurship | 7.5 | 3 | A | E |
Project management | 7.5 | 3 | A | E |
Environmental and natural resource economics | 7.5 | 3 | A | E |
Advanced topics in health economic evaluation methods | 7.5 | 3 | A | C |
Course | Credits | Semester | Level | Compulsory (C) or Elective (E) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Health, environment and sustainability | 3.5 | 4 | A | C |
Leading change and development in welfare organizations | 4 | 4 | A | C |
Evaluation in public health | 7.5 | 4 | A | C |
Master's thesis, second year | 15 | 4 | A | C |