The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice is available as a full-time (12 months) programme and part-time (up to 36 months) programme running from the date of first registration for the programme and is delivered on-line.

Applicants should have a degree in a health related discipline and:

• a minimum of 20 credits in undergraduate economics modules; OR
• have successfully completed the Bridging Programme for Health Economics Practice (see note below); OR
• a minimum of 2 years experience as health sector practitioners and professionals in which case they may be accepted on the basis of recognition of prior learning, provided that they have also successfully completed the Bridging Programme for Health Economics Practice (see note below); OR
• a degree in Economics and/or Business with a minimum of 20 credits in undergraduate Economics modules.

Note:
Bridging Programme for Health Economics Practice
The Bridging Programme for Health Economics Practice will be offered to applicants who have a degree in a health related discipline, but who do not have a minimum of 20 credits in undergraduate Economics modules, and to health sector practitioners and professionals with a minimum of 2 years experience. Upon successful completion of the Bridging Programme for Health Economics Practice, applicants with a degree in a health related discipline and health sector practitioners and professionals with a minimum of 2 years experience will be eligible for entry into the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice (provided they satisfy the other entry criteria for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice).

Full-Time
Full-time students must complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice within 12 months of registering for the programme and must take 60 credits.

Part-Time
Part-time students must complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice programme within 36 months of registration for the programme and must take at least 20 credits in any one academic year. Part-time students who have registered for more than 20 credits in any academic year will be permitted to take less than 20 credits only in their final year of the programme.

Students take 60 credits as follows:

EC6013 Health Services Resourcing-Public Funding Mechanism (5 credits)
EC6014 Health Services Resourcing-Private Funding Mechanism (5 credits)
EC6015 Evaluating Health Outcomes I (5 credits)
EC6016 Evaluating Health Outcomes II (5 credits)
EC6017 Health Care Markets I (5 credits)
EC6018 Health Care Markets II (5 credits)
EC6019 Research Skills and Methods for Health Economics-Part 1 (5 credits)
EC6027 Research Skills and Methods for Health Economics-Part 2 (5 credits)
EC6028 Economic Decision Making in Health I (10 credits)
EC6029 Economic Decision Making in Health II (5 credits)
EC6034 Innovation in Health Practice (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

MA Health Economics Practice
Students successfully completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice, who achieve an aggregate of a minimum of 60% across all modules in the programme at the first attempt and who obtain a suitable work placement may opt to transfer their registration to the MA Health Economics Practice.

This bridging programme is for applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice. The aim of the programme is to introduce economic methods of thinking and analysis to applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice, who would not otherwise fulfil the entry requirements thereof. The programme will be delivered during Semester 3, in a workshop format.

Entry Requirements
To be eligible for consideration applicants must have applied for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice and:

• Have a degree in a health related discipline; OR
• Have a minimum of 2 years experience as health sector practitioners and professionals, in which case they may be accepted on the basis of recognition of prior learning.

Programme Requirements
Students take 20 credits as follows:

EC4000 Economic Foundations 1 (10 credits)
EC4001 Economic Foundations 2 (10 credits)

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Progression to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice.
Upon passing the Bridging Programme for Health Economics Practice participants will be eligible for entry to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice, provided they satisfy the other entry criteria for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Practice (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Develop interpersonal, communication and critical reasoning skills to enhance their personal, professional and intellectual development.
• Construct arguments using the language and vocabulary of economic thinking.
• Demonstrate competencies in economic methods of thinking and analysis through practical application of key ideas and theories.
• Apply the economic skills that they have learned through a highly interactive environment involving participation by student and lecturer.
• Develop conceptual and analytical skills in examining economic decision making by individuals and public and private organisations in the health care sector.