Master of Health Economics
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Health Economics |
| Deakin course code | H704 |
| Course credit points | 16 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2015 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Duration | 1 - 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent, depending on Recognition of prior learning. |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2027: Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 085214E Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Turn data into evidence-based decisions that influence positive change in the healthcare system with Deakin’s Master of Health Economics. Develop advanced skills in economic evaluation, resource allocation and modelling to inform policy and improve health outcomes.
This course offers a flexible study experience, allowing you to tailor your degree to your career goals. You can choose to complete a major or minor research project or focus on coursework by selecting from a wide range of electives. Build expertise in areas such as health technology assessment, policy analysis and healthcare financing, and apply your skills through research, industry-based projects or up to 150 hours of professional experience. Ranked #36 in the world for public health, Deakin prepares you to contribute to decision-making across health systems, government, consulting and industry roles.
Indicative student workload
In the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course.
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 and extensive practical experience 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 opens up, graduates also have the opportunity to join Deakin’s leading health economics academics by progressing to a PhD.
* Australian Government National Skills Commission Industry Employment Outlook 2021
Mandatory student checks
Any unit that 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. Please refer the relevant unit guide.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Health Economics (H504) | |
| Graduate Diploma of Health Economics (H604) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of organisational structure, delivery and financing of healthcare services from an economic perspective, including implications for efficiency, equity and access. |
| Communicate health economic issues to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written reports, oral presentation and digital communication, including:
|
| Critically evaluate available digital sources of health and health systems data, for systematic reviews, economic modelling and health policy and priority setting recommendations. |
| Critically evaluate applied economic and conceptual frameworks used in health economics to analyse the effects of political, social and economic policies on health systems and community health, and apply analytic methods including evidence-based research, cost-effectiveness, and decision analyses to inform resource allocation and policy initiatives. |
| Independently analyse contemporary health problems from an economic perspective and formulate options for health system reform. |
| Demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability that contribute to the development of lifelong learning and professionalism in the area of health economics. |
| Demonstrate knowledge of their role as a health economist to work effectively within health economics and multidisciplinary teams. |
| Apply the principles of health economics, evidence-based economic evaluation and priority setting to problems in global health and the strengthening of health systems. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Master of Health Economics you must pass 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 16-credit point Master of Health Economics includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 8 credit points of core units
- 8 credit points which may comprise of:
- 1 Minor Project (2 credit points), and 6 credit points of course electives OR
- 1 Major Project (4 credit points), and 4 credit points of course electives OR
- 8 credit points of course elective units
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
All students must complete the following eight core units and one zero credit point unit:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HSH717 | Health Economics 1 |
| HSH719 | Economic Evaluation 1 |
| HSH744 | Epidemiology 1 |
| HSH746 | Biostatistics 1 |
| HSH761 | Health Technology Assessment 1 |
| HSH762 | Resource Allocation and Priority Setting |
| HSH764 | Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice |
| MPE781 | Economics for Managers |
Course electives
Project Options
Note students wishing to undertake the minor/major project are recommended to take HSH753 Research Methods in Health and Social Development as a course elective.
Minor Project Option^
| HSH731 | Minor Research Project A (1 credit point) |
| HSH732 | Minor Research Project B (1 credit point) |
Plus 6 of the course electives below
^Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 to be eligible to undertake the minor project option
Major Project Option*
| HSH733 | Major Research Project A (2 credit points) |
| HSH734 | Major Research Project B (2 credit points) |
Plus 4 of the course electives below
*Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 to be eligible to undertake the major project option
Students not selecting the minor/major project option must select 8 credit points of course electives from the below list:
| HME711 | Health Law and Ethics |
| HSH715 | Qualitative Health Research |
| HSH747 | Biostatistics 2 |
| HSH753 | Research Methods in Health and Social Development |
| HSH754 | Epidemiology 2 |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH756 | Introduction to Systems Thinking |
| HSH757 | Systems Thinking for Health and Social Transformation |
| HSH760 | International Perspectives in Health and Social Development |
| HSH763 | Financing Health Care |
| HSH766 | Economics and Health Policy Analysis |
| HSH767 | Economic Modelling |
| HSH768 | Health Economics in a Global Context |
| HSH769 | Leading Systems Change |
Other electives may be approved on an individual basis. Course Director approval is required.
Work experience
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH760 | International Perspectives in Health and Social Development |
Limited places are allocated based on an interview process and academic merit.
Income support
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Students would normally complete the Master of Health Economics over 4 trimesters of full- time study or the part-time equivalent. As some students will be in full-time work, part-time enrolment will mean that these students will complete the course in 3 to 4 years.
Students may enrol in the course in either Trimester 1, 2 or 3. It is recommended that students take the minor or major project in their last 1 or 2 trimesters.
International on-campus students who commence in Trimester 2 or Trimester 3 intakes pursuing the Major Project stream are required to enrol into Trimester 3 of their second year in order to complete the course within their CoE course duration.
Research and research-related study
Both the Major and Minor projects are research projects and research is also embedded in most core units and electives. These unit selections may allow you to apply to undertake further study such as a PhD.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.