Health Technology Assessment
Entry requirements
You should normally have a 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant quantitative subject. In exceptional circumstances, consideration will be given to those with a relevant professional qualification who have experience in the field of health technology assessment. A background in health or medicine is not required and we welcome applications from other academic disciplines.
Months of entry
January, September
Course content
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies. It contributes to priorities and decisions in relation to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. This Masters in HTA focuses on the production, critical appraisal and use of scientifically rigorous research evidence, applied to a range of health-related areas.
Why this programme
- Our postgraduate taught courses provide a solid grounding in all the major disciplines within the field of Health Technology Assessment. This is unique within Scotland, and is one of few such programmes worldwide.
- Our faculty are world-class experts in their fields, who are active not only in research and teaching, but also involved in HTA decision-making at a national level (e.g. through NICE, SHTAG).
- Our teaching is research-led. The courses have been developed to reflect the latest academic research and up-to-date challenges in HTA decision-making.
- You will gain a comprehensive understanding and hands-on experience of the interconnected disciplines that are core to Health Technology Assessment. These include health economics, statistics, evidence synthesis, modelling and patient-reported outcome measures.
- During a course, from week to week you will interact with your teachers and fellow students using online discussion boards. Your teachers will direct and observe the discussion, and respond to student questions about the course content.
- You will have the opportunity to collaborate on a research project under the supervision of a member of academic staff or an external supervisor.
Programme structure
Core courses
- HTA: Policy and Principles (20 credits)
- Statistical methods for HTA and evidence based medicine (20)
- Health economics for HTA (20)
Optional courses
- Foundations of decision analytic modelling (10)
- Evidence synthesis (20)
- Outcome measurement and valuation for HTA (10)
- Analysis of linked health data (20)
- HTA in a global context (20)
- Survival analysis for HTA (10)
- Qualitative research methods for HTA (10)
Optional course (delivered as face-to-face in Glasgow)
- Decision analytic modelling methods for economic evaluation (20)
Career prospects
HTA has growing importance internationally for informing health care decision making and there is increasing demand for employees with HTA relevant skills. Outside of the field of HTA, students would be well equipped with qualitative and quantitative research skills for jobs in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and Government Information Services/Statistical agencies.
Potential employers & roles
- Academic/research centres or universities – undertake HTA research projects funded by HTA agencies, national research bodies or health technology companies to support reimbursement or develop HTA methods.
- Private industry including pharmaceutical companies, bio-technology companies and health insurance companies – design and undertake evaluations (effectiveness and/or cost-effectiveness) for presentation to reimbursement agencies in support of health technology products.
- Local or national government agencies, regulators, health service providers, international health organisations (e.g. WHO) – commission and review assessments submitted to support reimbursement of health technologies; undertake systematic reviews, evidence synthesis and evaluations to focus and direct health care policy; evaluate policy and programmes previously funded.
- National or international consultancy companies – undertake HTA projects for governments, HTA agencies or industry clients.
Information for international students
Please refer to our website for more information.
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)
- overall score 6.5
- no sub-test less than 6.0
- or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification:
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
- ibTOEFL: 90; no sub-test less than:
- Reading: 20
- Listening: 19
- Speaking: 19
- Writing: 23
- CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
- CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII at Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
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 an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test 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
Qualification and course duration
MSc
PGDip
PCert
Course contact details
- Name
- Enquiries
- mvls-hta@glasgow.ac.uk