Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to complete all four modules in a year?
No - the course is designed to fit in with the work commitments of health care professionals. You can opt to take a minimum of one module per year for four years or all four modules in 8 months. To gain a Postgraduate Certificate students must successfully complete all four modules.

Do you offer any assistance with funding?
Unfortunately we are unable to offer funding but students are given the option of paying fees per module.

Is there a closing date for applications?
Yes, the deadline for course applications is 31 August 2012. However, all applications received past this date will be considered.

How can I apply for the course?
Please visit http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/word_docs/pgapp.doc for an online application form.
 
Is there a possibility of furthering this qualification to diploma level or further?
The successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate will result in a student being awarded 12 university credits at postgraduate level. This is equivalent to 60 Credit Accumulation Transfer points which are recognised by other universities and (depending on the university) may be used as credits towards other relevant postgraduate qualifications.

What benefits will I gain?
The course will help you understand what health economics can contribute to decisions over the allocation of scarce resources, the techniques available for use within an economic evaluation, and the input health economics can provide to broader questions concerned with the provision and financing of health care. You will become familiar with the different health economic approaches to informing decisions, as well as the appropriateness of the different approaches in different context.

What are the entry requirements?
A degree or relevant qualification and/or experience deemed suitable by the Course Director.

Who is suited to the course?
The course is designed for people working in the NHS or private sector who want to gain a recognised qualification in health economics. General Practitioners, Clinicians, Nurses, Managers, Directors, Executive Officers, Accountants, Financial Planners, Pharmacists, Medical Registrar and Medical Consultants have all benefited from the course.

How many hours of study a week will this involve?
This depends on the individual student, a few hours a weeks reading at the start of the module, and then more intensive study to complete the assignment. Altogether this adds up to 100 hours per module including attendance at the seminar.

What are the English Requirements?
If you are not from the UK or have not studied at a recognised English speaking institution, you will be required to provide evidence that you have studied English as a foreign language.  Please visit http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/international/english.shtml for more information.

Who needs to attend the seminars?
Anyone living in Britain or Ireland is expected to attend the residential seminars based in Edinburgh, although we do realise that work and family committments will not always make this possible. If you live abroad you are not expected to attend, but you are certainly welcome to, if you wish.  All material will be available online via MyAberdeen for you to access.