Whilst demand for new health technologies, medicines and services is high, budgets are limited. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) helps healthcare providers decide which new health innovations to invest in from the many new developments that are put forward each year. HTA enables us to answer key questions around the use of new technologies, for example, does it work? Does it work for all? Is it safe? Does it provide value for money? Through analysing relevant evidence and knowledge, HTA answers these questions, enabling decision-makers to better understand the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies.  

After completing our online Health Technology Assessment programme, you’ll have the ability to appraise evidence and understand the consequences of technology in order to prioritise its use. It’s this practical know-how that gives recent graduates or professionals working in the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies or research, the means to grow their careers.

Our distance learning programme, which is only one of a few such programmes in the world, is delivered by the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, home to world leading expertise across an impressive diversity of disciplines. Delivered by the Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA) research team, the programme offers multidisciplinary insights into policy and principles of HTA, health economics, decision analytical modelling, HTA in a global context and data science as it’s happening, right now. 

HEHTA's research and involvement from a global perspective, working in particular with major stakeholders including NICE,SMC and HITAP, ensures that our online programme content is up-to-date and relevant in the real world.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN PATH

Through teacher-guided discussions and collaborative peer work, you’ll improve your knowledge and define your area of interest or specialism. After completing the core components, you can opt to focus more on economic modelling, qualitative research methods, HTA in a global context or data science. These courses have been developed to reflect the latest academic research and challenges in health technology assessment, equipping you with the skills you can apply in your new career.

Thanks to the flexibly of online study, you can choose when and where to learn, matching your existing professional and personal schedules.

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, outcome measurement, 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.

KEY FACTS

  • Duration: 2.5–6 years part-time (MSc). For details on other degree options request more information or speak to an admissions representative
  • Start dates: January, April and September
  • Fees: Payable in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits, totalling £15,000 (MSc), £10,000 (PgDip), £5,000 (PgCert)*
    NHS discount: Payable in instalments of £1,050 per 20 credits or £9,450 for the full MSc funded by the NHS*
  • Entry requirements: 2:1 in a relevant quantitative subject or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution
  • International students: applicants must have an IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.

* Fee information is subject to change and is for guidance only.