Graduate Certificate of Health Economics
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Health Economics |
| Deakin course code | H504 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 1 year part-time |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Get an introduction to the economic principles that shape healthcare systems with the Graduate Certificate of Health Economics. Explore microeconomics, economic evaluation and resource allocation in healthcare contexts, then learn how to harness data to become a confident decision maker. Premium online study is available for this flexible course that can be used as both a preview and pathway to the masters degree.
Ready to take your first steps towards a leadership position that can drive real change in healthcare?
The Graduate Certificate of Health Economics is designed for clinical and non-clinical health professionals who want to improve healthcare systems from the top down. It’s also suited to those from finance backgrounds looking to use their knowledge of economics to create healthier, happier communities. If you’re looking for a health economics program that’s well-established, renowned for its academic research and led by teachers at the very forefront of the field, this is the course to take your career forward.
The course features three core units from the Master of Health Economics. These key study areas provide a grounding in contemporary health economics principles and train you in the skills you will use every day in your career, such as:
- economic evaluation
- resource allocation
- priority setting
These skills allow you to make evidence-based decisions that improve the way healthcare systems operate. Whether you’re preparing a cost-benefit analysis for a new medical device, or employing economic modelling to shape health insurance policies that impact thousands, you will have the skills to make confident, informed choices. You’ll also graduate with the ability to critically evaluate current research in economic policy, understand the complexities of healthcare financing and make influential contributions to health policy development and debate.
Throughout the course you will be guided by some of the brightest and most experienced health economics academics in the country. Our team is one of the largest in Australia and our academics are active contributors to the field. The insights gathered from their work and research feeds back into the course, ensuring content is fresh, authentic and relevant to the needs of the sector. We have academics embedded in many renowned healthcare organisations and institutes across diverse roles, ensuring you have access to a mentor who aligns with your interests and career aspirations.
The course can be completed in just one year of part-time study, with flexible online study available to those with busy work schedules. Graduate with exciting career options in Australia’s fast-growing health sector, as well as a clear pathway to Deakin's Master of Health Economics.
Indicative student workload
150 hours of learning and assessment activities per Deakin credit point (as per AQF Explanation)
Full-time study in this course is equivalent to a full-time work commitment. Successful students typically spend about 150 hours in learning and assessment for each one credit point unit.
Professional recognition
Graduates may be eligible for membership with the following professional bodies:
- Australian Health Economics Society
- Health Services Research Association of Australia and New Zealand
- International Health Economics Association
Career opportunities
The health sector is Australia’s largest and fastest growing. With more jobs and an increased demand for skilled health professionals, you will have more opportunities to take your career forward.
Use your specialised skills to confidently explore roles in:
- pharmaceutical and health technology industries
- health insurance
- hospitals, community health organisations and healthcare management
- international health organisations such as WHO, UNDP, OECD, the World Bank Group and the Asian Development Bank
- government departments such as Health and Treasury and the Productivity Commission
- non-government agencies, research institutes and think tanks
- corporate consulting firms.
In addition to the diverse career options this course leads to, graduates can access more professional development opportunities and industry experience by progress on to the Master of Health Economics.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a National Police Record Check, a Working with Children Check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.
Pathways
Pathways for credit are available for this course
Students completing the Graduate Certificate of Health Economics can articulate into a higher award, Master of Health Economics (H704).
Graduates of the course may also be eligible for RPL (Recognition of prior learning) into the following courses:
Master of Public Health (H757)
Master of Health Promotion (H759)
Master of Health Management (H756)
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Health Economics students must pass 4 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 3 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of course elective units
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Note:
- This course is part-time only.
Course structure
Core units
Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HSH717 | Health Economics 1 |
| HSH719 | Economic Evaluation 1 |
Trimester 2
| HSH762 | Resource Allocation and Priority Setting |
Plus one elective unit from the following list:
| HSH764 | Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice |
| HSH768 | Health Economics in a Global Context |
| MPE781 | Economics for Managers |
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.