MSc in Health Systems and Public Policy: The University of Edinburgh

Application deadline for September 2012 entry is 15th August 2012

Welcome message from the Programme Director

“All health systems, whether in developed or developing countries, are under pressure to broaden access to health services while improving the quality and efficiency of the care they provide. At a time when the scope for increasing expenditure is limited, designing cost-effective health systems has become a major focus of public policy – and one that has huge political salience, as the debate accompanying health care reform in the United States makes clear.

“In many countries, reform efforts centre on containing costs, with a focus on slowing the growth of health system expenditure, which is often presented as unsustainable. Powerful global actors such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund promote the creation of more competitive environments among health care providers and insurers (along with a more prominent role for the private sector) as a means of improving the performance of countries’ health systems.

“Running in parallel with these reforms, there are renewed efforts – now supported by a coalition of global actors, including the World Health Organisation – to improve the delivery of health services in low and middle income countries through sustained investment and a renewed focus on creating universal coverage. This reflects a growing appetite among policy-makers across the world to make health care services better and more accessible.

“This MSc programme prepares students for careers in health administration, health management, government departments or agencies, consultancies, advisory or advocacy roles in governments and international agencies, the commercial sector, research, or further study for a PhD. Our students come from countries at all levels of economic development.

“The programme is taught by the Global Public Health Unit, which is located in the School of Social and Political Science, rather than a Medical School. As a result, our programmes are able to reach across traditional boundaries, linking policy analysis, economics, development, public health and management. We focus on equipping students with the knowledge and critical analysis skills they need to play a key role in addressing the health system challenges of today and tomorrow.

“We believe that additional experiences beyond the classroom are an essential part of an education in health systems and public policy, and our Unit’s strong ties to leading public health practitioners and policy-makers provide students with opportunities to learn from the real world of health systems. We have, for example, a strong record of helping to place people on the World Health Organisation’s Internship programme.
“If this sounds like the programme for you, or you are interested in finding out more, please don't hesitate to contact me on the email address below.
"All the best, Mark”

Who to Contact

For queries about the programme:

Mark Hellowell
The University of Edinburgh
School of Social and Political Science
Chrystal Macmillan Building
15a George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LD
Tel: +44 (0)131 6511330
E-mail: mark.hellowell@ed.ac.uk

For general queries (e.g. fees, qualifications) and application queries:

The Graduate School of Social and Political Science
Chrystal Macmillan Building
15a George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LD
Tel: +44 (0)131 651 1560
Fax: +44 (0)131 651 1778
E-mail: pgadmissions.sps@ed.ac.uk

How to Apply

Applications for this programme are now being accepted.  To enter this programme in September 2012, applications must be submitted by 15th July 2012. Please note that deadlines for scholarship applications precede this date.
Further guidance on how to apply and entry requirements, etc. is available on the Graduate School website. Please feel free to contact the Programme Director with any further queries.

Fees

The full-time fees for this programme in 2012/2013 are:
Home/EU students £7,100
Overseas students £13,050
Full fees information, including part time fees, is available here.
Information on how to pay is available here. 

Bologna Compatibility

Like all University of Edinburgh Masters programmes, the degree is fully Bologna compatible, and is recognised across Europe and beyond under the principles of the Bologna framework. The programme comprises 180 Edinburgh credits, which are equivalent to 90 ECTS credits.

For details please visit: http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/gradschool/taught_masters/h_n/msc_in_health_systems_and_public_policy