Health Technology Assessment MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning
Register for programme webinar: Thursday 16th May at 1pm BST.
Health Technology Assessment contributes to priorities and decisions in relation to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients. Our HTA course will enable you to appraise evidence and understand the consequences of technology in order to prioritise its use and better prevent, diagnose and treat disease. Online learning at the University of Glasgow allows you to experience the outstanding education we are known for without the need for relocation.
- Online distance learning
- Academic contact: mvls-hta@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: January, April or September
- MSc: 36 months part‑time
- PgDip: 24 months part‑time
- PgCert: 12 months part‑time
Why this programme
Health Technology Assessment- The programme is delivered by the Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA) research team. Our academics are world-class experts in their field.
- As well as being involved in research and teaching, the HEHTA team is involved in HTA decision making at national and international level.
- Drawing on insights into policy and principles of HTA, health economics, decision analytical modelling, HTA in a global context and data science, this programme will give you hands-on experience of the interconnected disciplines that are core to Health Technology Assessment. The College also provides innovative and research-led teaching for our students, preparing you for a wide variety of exciting careers.
- HEHTA's research and involvement from a global perspective, working with major stakeholders including NICE, SMC and HITAP, ensures that our online programme content is up-to-date and relevant in the real world.
Delivered by our College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, our online Health Technology Assessment course brings together internationally renowned experts and state-of-the-art facilities to improve health for humans and animals across the globe.- The College also provides innovative and research-led teaching for our students, preparing you for a wide variety of exciting careers.
Programme structure
Gain expertise in the production, critical appraisal and use of scientifically rigorous research. If you are a recent graduate or working in the pharmaceutical industry, a government agency or research field, this programme will give you the practical skills to advance your career.
Postgraduate HTA Certificate
- Year 1: 3 x 20 credit core courses
Postgraduate HTA Diploma
- Year 1: 3 x 20 credit core courses
- Year 2: 3 x 20 credit optional courses
Master’s in HTA
- Year 1: 3 x 20 credit core courses
- Year 2: 3 x 20 credit optional courses
- Year 3: 1 x 60 credit research project
The University of Glasgow specially adapts programmes to the online format. You will attend interactive lectures, seminars and individual tutorials. You will also build important connections with fellow students by taking part in project and team work.
Our expert staff will assess your progression through each course in a variety of ways. This may include essays, discussions, blogs, online presentations, interactive quizzes, assignments or group work. Details of these assignments are found in your induction.
Taken on a part-time basis, the duration of this programme is 2.5 to 6 years depending on the credential obtained.
To discover more about the programme watch our webinar with the programme leaders or visit our articles section for more information.
For more detailed information on our courses, click the links below.
Core and optional courses
Year 1 core courses
- HTA: POLICY AND PRINCIPLES
- STATISTICAL METHODS FOR HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE
- HEALTH ECONOMICS FOR HTA ONLINE
Year 2 optional courses
- REAL-WORLD DATA IN HEALTH CARE DECISION MAKING
- HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
- SURVIVAL ANALYSIS FOR HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
- EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS - Delivered online in semester 2
- MAXIMISING THE VALUE OF CLINICAL TRIAL DATA: ANALYSIS FOR ECONOMIC EVALUATION AND MODELLING - Delivered online over three separate weeks in November & December
- DECISION ANALYTIC MODELLING AND EARLY HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
- CHOICE EXPERIMENTS FOR HEALTH ECONOMICS, HTA AND ONE HEALTH
- QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
Year 3
"The best part of my course so far has been the opportunity to explore and develop new skills, as well as the exchange of knowledge among the other participants. Taking part in this master's course helped me improve my skills in economic evaluations, statistics, and HTA. Furthermore, undertaking this master's degree helped me to improve my career prospects and to join as a health economist in my current post."
Fernando Zanghelini, Online MSc Health Technology Assessment student
Programme outcomes
- Analyse the policy, principles, methods and analytical techniques appropriate for health technology assessment.
- Discuss the role of health technology assessment in policy development.
- Evaluate how the policy context varies between international regions and countries.
- Explore health economics, statistical methods and analysis, evidence synthesis, decision analytic modelling, economic evaluation and patient-reported outcomes to guide the principles of health technology assessment.
- Critically assess the research methodologies used for informing priorities and decision making in health care systems.
- Develop original and creative approaches to translate policy issues into research proposals to assess health technologies.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is growing in importance internationally and there is increasing demand for employees with relevant skills. Individuals in the HTA field inform decision making by ensuring that healthcare providers understand the impacts of new medical innovations and technologies.
Graduates are well equipped with qualitative and quantitative research skills which are ideal for jobs in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and government information services/statistical agencies.
Potential employers and roles:
- Academic/research centres or universities undertake HTA research projects funded by HTA agencies, national research bodies or health technology companies to support reimbursement or develop HTA methods.
- Private industry, including pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and health insurance companies, design and undertake evaluations (effectiveness and/or cost-effectiveness) for presentation to reimbursement agencies in support of health technology products.
- Local or national government agencies, regulators, health service providers or international health organisations (e.g. WHO) commission and review assessments submitted to support reimbursement of health technologies; undertake systematic reviews, evidence synthesis and evaluations to focus and direct health care policy; evaluate policy and programmes previously funded.
- National or international consultancy companies undertake HTA projects for governments, HTA agencies or industry clients.
Examples of job positions include:
- public health officer
- senior finance manager (NHS)
- freedom of information analyst (NHS)
- local health board co-ordinator (NHS)
- heath services researcher (NHS)
- research assistant
To learn more, read our article about the value of an MSc in Health Technology Assessment in your career.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2024-25
MSc
UK / EU / International:
- £15,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits
PgDip
UK / EU / International:
- £10,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits
PgCert
UK / EU / International:
- £5,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits
Fees are the same for Jan and Apr 2024 start
Fees for NHS-funded students (after NHS-discount): Jan/Apr 2024 entry: £1,174 per 20 credits, Sep 2024 entry: £1,237 per 20 credits
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
UK Study Online Scholarship
The UK Study Online scholarship is open to UK, EU and international students taking online undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Please see UK Study Online for more details.
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
To be accepted to this programme, you must have:
- At least a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant quantitative subject (i.e. economics, mathematics, statistics, medicine, pharmacy, epidemiology, health services research) from a recognised institution.
- Exceptionally, consideration may be given to those with a relevant professional qualification who have experience in the field of health technology assessment.
A background in health or medicine is desirable but not essential, we welcome applications from other academic disciplines.
When submitting your application, please include:
- Your Curriculum Vitae
- A supporting statement
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- Oxford ELLT 7
- R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
- W&S: OIDI level no less than 6.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
Computer requirements for studying online
Broadband internet connection
- 3 mbps or higher
Internet Browsers
Our online learning platform Moodle is compatible with any standards compliant web browser. This includes:
Desktop:
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Edge
- Internet Explorer
Mobile:
- MobileSafari
- Google Chrome
For the best experience and optimum security, we recommend that you keep your browser up to date.
Javascript needs to be enabled within your browser
Please note: legacy browsers with known compatibility issues with Moodle 3.3 are:
- Internet Explorer 10 and below
- Safari 7 and below
Computer specifications
- Processor: 2GHz
- Operating system (minimum):
- Microsoft Windows Vista service pack 1
- Windows 7
- Mac OS X v10.4.11+
- Memory: 3GB of RAM or more
- Hard disk: 300GB
- Sound card and microphone
- Speakers or headphones
- Monitor and video card with 1024x768 display or higher
Mobile device specifications
- iOS: latest (Apple Safari & Google Chrome)
- Android: 4.4+ with latest Google Chrome
Other software
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Media player e.g. Windows Media Player or VLC
- Word processing software (that outputs to the following file types for marking online: .doc, .docx, .html, .txt, .rft, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .hwp)
- Anti-virus software
Advised hardware / software
- Microsoft Office 2010
- Headset (ideally with a USB connector)
- Webcam
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- An English language certificate/evidence of your English language ability may be required
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (non-EU students only)
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.
Please ensure all documents are correctly named and are uploaded before you submit your application to prevent any delays with your file.
All documentation must be attached to your online application, but please remember your student recruitment coordinator is here to support you by reviewing it before you upload it, so feel free to send them over to your student recruitment coordinator before you submit your application.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Online taught masters degrees begin in January, April and September.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript. It is important to upload official copies of your transcripts and certificates for your full academic history, from Undergraduate onwards. For example, if you have a bachelors and a masters degree, you must send documents from both degrees.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Application deadlines
- Applications for this online programme will be accepted until it starts
More information about this programme
Watch our webinars:
- Programme overview with Professor Jim Lewsey
- Watch our webinar on the new definition of HTA led by Professor Jim Lewsey
- HTA Q&A Webinar with Programme Directors Claudia Geue & Eleanor Grieve
- Virtual Learning Environment Demonstration
