Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment PhD/iPhD/MSc (Research)

Our aim is to be the world-leading centre for health economic and health technology assessment research and education, working to improve health and wellbeing through better decision-making.

PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 5 years part-time;
MSc (Research): 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time;
IPhD: 5 years full-time;

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Overview

The School of Health & Wellbeing spans medical and social sciences and offers students an opportunity to train in a unique and vibrant interdisciplinary environment.

Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA) covers a broad set of activities relating to the appraisal of health service interventions including policies, procedures, devices, medicines and diagnostics. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is the assessment of relevant evidence on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies. Our work contributes to priority-setting and decision-making in relation to preventative, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation strategies.

Postgraduate research (PGR) students in HEHTA graduate with a thorough and robust skillset that is transferable to future employment in academia and public, private and third sector organisations. Postgraduate research students’ development is supported by a programme of high quality internal training, a dedicated and cohesive team, and exposure to our extensive network of international colleagues. They also have access to the researcher training programmes in the Colleges of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences (MVLS) and the College of Social Sciences (CoSS). Our students’ work results in high quality publications and international conference presence, and contributes to HEHTA’s international reputation across our seven research themes.

Our research objectives are:

through our new research theme of Global HTA, to devise innovative methodological and applied research in the international context, with a particular focus on low and middle income countries
to strengthen our existing research portfolio by focusing on synergistic working across our research themes
to produce high quality evidence-based research that is relevant and impactful
to collaborate and engage with national and global policy makers to undertake relevant research and influence decision-making

Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators within HEHTA, the School of Health & Wellbeing, and the student’s interests. Our supervisors use a variety of approaches to research including decision analysis modelling, cost benefit and effectiveness analyses, risk and prediction modeling, data linkage and advanced meta-analysis. We have excellent engagement with government agencies, the NHS and local authorities, other statutory public sector and regulatory bodies, and third sector organisations.

Our research spans seven main themes:

global HTA
economic evidence alongside clinical trials
evidence synthesis
economic aspects of population health
statistical analysis of linked health data
decision analytic modeling and simulation
incorporating qualitative evidence into health economic and health technology studies

Study options

PhD

Duration: 3/4 years full-time; 5 years part-time

Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.

Integrated PhD programmes (5 years)

Our Integrated PhD allows you to combine masters level teaching with your chosen research direction in a 1+3+1 format.

International students with MSc and PhD scholarships/funding do not have to apply for 2 visas or exit and re-enter the country between programmes. International and UK/EU students may apply.

Year 1

Taught masters level modules are taken alongside students on our masters programmes. Our research-led teaching supports you to fine tune your research ideas and discuss these with potential PhD supervisors. You will gain a valuable introduction to academic topics, research methods, laboratory skills and the critical evaluation of research data. Your grades must meet our requirements in order to gain entry on to your pre-selected PhD research project. If not, you will have the options to pay outstanding MSc fees and complete with masters degree only.

Years 2, 3 and 4

PhD programme with research/lab work, completing an examinable piece of independent research in year 4.

Year 5

Thesis write up.

MSc (Research)

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
IELTS One Skill Retake accepted.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18;Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

176 overall, no subtest less than 169
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

Oxford ELLT 7
R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
W&S: OIDI level no less than 6

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

Fees and funding

Fees

2025/26

UK: To be confirmed [24/25 fee was £4,786]
International & EU: £31,800

Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

Fee status and policies

Alumni discount

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.

Possible additional fees

Re-submission by a research student £540
Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

Funding

The IPhD is not supported by University of Glasgow Scholarship/Funding

External funding information

Support

Resources

We strive to achieve a global impact in both health improvement and reductions in health inequalities. In order to realise these goals, we share knowledge through collaborations with academics and other partners in 73 countries across the world.

PGR students have the opportunity to work with our internationally recognised research partners, including:

Columbia University
Centre for Health Economics, University of York
Health Economics Research Centre, University of Oxford

PhD students are exposed to advanced and innovative methodologies relevant to health economics and HTA, and to our collaborative and interdisciplinary working culture that supports creative research ideas which contribute to reducing the global burden of disease.

Graduate School

The College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences Graduate School provides a vibrant, supportive and stimulating environment for all our postgraduate students. We aim to provide excellent support for our postgraduates through dedicated postgraduate convenors, highly trained supervisors and pastoral support for each student.

Our overarching aim is to provide a research training environment that includes:

provision of excellent facilities and cutting edge techniques
training in essential research and generic skills
excellence in supervision and mentoring
interactive discussion groups and seminars
an atmosphere that fosters critical cultural policy and research analysis
synergy between research groups and areas
extensive multidisciplinary and collaborative research
extensive external collaborations both within and beyond the UK
a robust generic skills programme including opportunities in social and commercial training

Career prospects

Studying for a PhD in a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment will equip you with transferable research skills that are relevant to a range of career options in the public, private and charitable sectors. Many students find employment in the university sector after completing their studies or choose to pursue careers in health services, government or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with a focus on global health improvement.

Our project supervisors have strong academic connections with collaborators in universities and research institutes across the world. Funds are available through the college of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences to support visits to international partners where, if appropriate, part of your project can be carried out. This provides an excellent opportunity for networking and increasing your scientific knowledge and skill set.

How to apply

Identify potential supervisors

All postgraduate research students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You must identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

Supervisor search

IPhD & research projects

IPhD Option A

Applicants do not need to contact a supervisor. You will choose from a list of IPhD projects and each project has named supervisors linked to that project.

IPhD Option B

You will submit a research proposal of approximately 1000 words. The proposal must include:

a straightforward, descriptive, and informative title
the question that your research will address
an account of why this question is important and worth investigating
an assessment of how your own research will engage with recent research in the field
a brief account of the methodology and approach you will take.

Based on your proposal, your supervisor will choose an MSc programme that aligns with your research interests.

You will need to contact a supervisor prior to application, using our search to identify a suitable supervisor.