Master's Programme in Public Health with a Specialization in Health Economics, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) from an internationally recognised university with a major in Public Health, Health Care, Economics, Business Administration (controlling, entrepreneurship, financing, management, accounting), Health Pedagogy or another relevant field in social or behavioral science. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5 (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section).

Degree

Master of Science (120 credits). Main field of Study: Public Health

Description of the education for current education cycle

The programme comprises four semesters (2 academic years), which corresponds to courses giving a total of 120 ECTS credits. The master thesis comprises 30 of these credits and is divided into two theses each giving 15 credits. The first thesis is written during the last part of the first year and the second thesis is written during the last part of the second year.

It is possible to end studies after the first year and then qualifying for the degree: Degree of Master of Science (60 credits). Main field of study: Public Health.

The studies are characterized by a high degree of independence, active search for knowledge, problem solving, critical analysis, and evaluations based on a scientific approach. Studying varies between individual work, working in study groups, seminars, and lectures. A student registered on the programme has a guaranteed place on the base courses given within the programme. Course prerequisites are stated in the course syllabi.
All the teaching on the programme is given in English.
Some of the courses are planned to be taken in a certain order, which is stated in the course syllabi.

National goals for current degree

For the master degree the students shall show knowledge and understanding within the main field of the program, including both a broad knowledge within the area as well as considerably deepened knowledge in certain parts of the area and deepened insight into current research and development work.

•     show deepened methodological knowledge within the main field of the programme.
•     show a capability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge, and to analyze, judge (assess) and handle complex phenomena, issues and situations even when having limited information.
•     show a capability to critically, independent, and creatively identify and formulate (word) questions (issues), to plan and with adequate methods carry out (accomplish) qualified tasks (assignments) within given time frames and through that contribute to the development of knowledge and to evaluate this work.
•     show a capability to – both in a national and an international context (situations) – orally and in writing clearly report (explain) and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and the arguments that are the basis for these in dialogue with different groups.
•    a capability to, within the main field of the programme, do assessments (evaluations) with regard to relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects, and show consciousness (awareness) of ethical aspects on research and development work.

Examination format

The examination means assessing student performance and is a basis for grading. The assessment is done through written exams, oral exams through seminars, and written reports. The examination is designed so that an individual assessment of a student’s performance can be done. The modes of examination for a particular course are given by the course syllabus.

A student, which is given the grade Fail at the first exam, is entitled to a re-sit exam at the earliest ten working days after the results of the first exam have been published and no later than three months after the first exam. The student is also entitled to another re-sit within a year of the first exam.

A student that follows the university’s rules for exams and does not exceed possible maximum limit of the number of exams cannot be denied to do an exam. This also applies to compulsory parts of courses that a student must complete in order to be given a passing course grade.

A student that has taken part in two exams on a course, or on a part of a course, and having received the grade Fail has the right to request a change of examiner.

Grades

Three grades are given on courses; Fail, Pass, and Pass with distinction.

Transfer of Credits

A student has the right to apply for credit transfer of an earlier taken course or activity. For more  information see http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/transfer-of-credits/
If a student is denied a transfer of credits he or she has the right to appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board. 

General

Some of the courses are planned to be taken in a certain order, which is stated in the course syllabi.

Base courses
During the first academic year all of the courses are base courses, i.e. there is no room for electives. The students have a guaranteed palace on these courses. During the second year 4 base courses are given and 5 elective courses (see the overview of the programme below). In addition to this, the course Public health informatics can be replaced by any course that meets the degree objectives. Of the courses given during the second year some build on previous programme courses and must be taken in the prescribed order. Programme students are guaranteed places on the courses given that the prerequisites are being met.

Elective courses
During the second academic year the student can choose among two of the following five courses: Math and econometrics, Evidence Based Public Health, Social Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Environmental Resource Economics, and Public Health Informatics.
 
Programme overview
Academic year 1, autumn semester
Global Public Health, 10 credits
Biostatistics, 5 credits
Epidemiology, 10 credits
Qualitative Methodology for Public Health, 5 credits

Academic year 1, spring semester
Health systems: Organization and Financing, 5 credits
Health Economic Evaluation Methods, 5 credits
Master thesis, first year, 15 credits

Academic year 2, autumn semester
Mathematics and econometrics, 7,5 credits
or
Evidence based public health,4 credits and
Equity and health, 3,5 credits

Health economic theory, 7,5 credits

Social and environmental entrepreneurship, 7,5 credits or
Project managemant, 7,5 credits or
Environmental resource economics, 7,5 credits or
Advanced topics in health economic evaluation methods, 7,5 credits

Academic year 2, spring semester
Health, environment and sustainibility, 7,5 credits or
Planning and management in health care,  7,5 credits

Evaluation in public health, 7,5 credits
Master thesis, second year, 15 credits

Master theses
The master theses comprises 30 of these credits and is divided into two theses each giving 15 credits. The first thesis is written during the last part of the first year and the second thesis is written during the last part of the second year. Each of the theses should be done based on health economic research questions.

Deferment of studies

Respite of study startA respite of study start may be given if there are special circumstances.
A negative decision about a respite of study start may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Approved leave from studies

A temporary leave from studies may be granted if there are special circumstances. A negative decision concerning a restart of studies following a leave may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.
 

Discontinuation

A student who decides to leave the studies shall report this to the programme study counselor. 

Other

Taking part in the introductory week of the programme is compulsory. Exemption from the roll-call may be given if there are special circumstances. Not taking part in the roll-call without having been exempted may lead to the loss of place on the programme.