Postgraduate study

Postgraduate taught 

Health Economics & Health Technology Assessment MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning

Health Economics & Health Technology Assessment contributes to priorities and decisions in relation to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients. Our programme 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
  • Online
  • 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 HE and 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 Economics and Health Technology Assessment programme 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.

For more detailed information on our courses, click the links below. 

Core and optional courses

Year 1 core courses

Year 2 optional courses

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. More information: Student contract.

Career prospects

Health Economics & Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA) are growing in importance internationally and there is increasing demand for employees with relevant skills. Individuals in the fields of HE and HTA 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 HE and HTA research projects funded by agencies, national research bodies or health technology companies to support reimbursement or develop HE and 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 economics and 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 HE and HTA projects for governments, 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.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2027-28

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 for students funded by the NHS or UK social care organisations or UK health and social care partnership (HSCP)

  • £12,063 (total cost for MSc)
  • £8,042 (total cost for PgDip)
  • £4,021 (total cost for PgCert)
  • £1,341 per 20 credits

Fee status

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 relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database


Entry requirements

2.2 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Medicine, Pharmacy, Epidemiology, and Health Services Research.

We may also accept applicants with significant relevant work experience in addition to lower qualifications.

English language requirements

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

For applicants from non-majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

Accepted English Language Tests

We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme. Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.  

IELTS Academic/IELTS Academic for UKVI/ IELTS Academic online

  • 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0 
  • IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
  • We do not accept General Training

TOEFL iBT (including MyBest and Home Edition)

Test taken up to 20 January 2026

  • 90 overall with no subtest less than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21 

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

  • 92 overall with no subtest less than 4.5

PTE Academic (test centre only)

  • 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
  • We do not accept the online PTE Academic

Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency

  • 176 overall with no subtest less than 169

Oxford ELLT

  • 7 overall with no subtest less than 6

LanguageCert Academic/Academic SELT/ Academic Online

  • 70 overall with no subtest less than 65

Password Skills Plus

  • 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II

  • 96 overall with no subtest less than 90

Kaplan Test of English

  • Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher

PSI Skills for English

  • B2 Pass with Merit

Duolingo English Test

  • 120 overall with writing at 120 and no subtest less than 110

Oxford Test of English Advanced

  • 140 Overall with any two subtests at 126 or higher, and any two subtests at 136 or higher

Alternatives to English Language test

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 their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.

TNE degree from UK university taught at a campus outside of the UK

  • students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.

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 would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study and remain valid for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Our courses give you: 

  • direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS); 
  • essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University; 
  • flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/mlc/eas/pre-sessionalcourses/

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

  • Heriot Watt
  • Kingston Upon Thames
  • Middlesex University
  • Manchester University
  • Reading University
  • Edinburgh University
  • St Andrews University
  • UCL
  • Durham 

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)
  • Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport

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, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree

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, see Application System Help.

  • 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. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Application deadlines

  • Applications for this online programme will be accepted up until it starts.
Apply now

More information about this programme

Watch our webinars:

Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA) 

uofg online

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Related links

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