Barcelona Graduate School of Economics trains professionals in health economics and policy

By Biocat

The health of the population is one of the main indicators of a country’s wellbeing. In terms of politics, it is difficult to find a sector with such intense and changing regulatory activity, above all over the past two decades. As a result of the progressive ageing of the population and the economic situation in many countries, governments are introducing incentives to reign in healthcare expenditure without reducing quality or limiting access.

The parties involved (government healthcare agencies, suppliers to the healthcare system, etc.) are seeking professionals with analytical capacities geared towards decision-making in all aspects of the healthcare sector. This is the training the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (Barcelona GSE) provides in its Master in Health Economics and Policy, which it has offered since the 2011-2012 school year.

This Master’s program includes training to give students a broad view of the sector, from evaluating healthcare technology to a comparative view of different healthcare systems, the biosciences market and political and organizational analysis tools.  Part of these topics will be covered through two successful programs already offered at the school, the Competition and Market Regulation Program and the Economics of Public Policy Program.

The degree, offered exclusively in English, is geared towards those with an undergraduate degree in economics, business administration, engineering or health sciences, as well as PhD students, young scientists and consultants with experience and/or interest in evaluating medical technology and healthcare policy.

Graduates receive a joint degree from the Barcelona GSE, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and Pompeu Fabra University Barcelona (UPF).

The course lasts nine months, full time, and costs €12,000. Biocat, MSD, Novartis, the Ramon Areces Foundation and Telefónica, among other companies and organizations, are supporting this initiative by offering scholarships for this Master that attracts participants from around the world. Most students at the Barcelona GSE are currently from the European Union (59%), but also from North America (12%), Latin America (6%) and Asia (15%). Spanish students make up 8% of the total.

Applications for admission for the 2013-2014 school year can be submitted through 25 June 2013 on the Barcelona GSE website.

More information: www.barcelonagse.eu/health-economics

Questions: Barcelona GSE • Tel. +34 93 542 12 22