The MScHEOR programme is a 40-unit degree completed over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time), comprising 24 units of core courses and 16 units of electives. A NUS course typically counts as 4 units. The MSc will be awarded to students who successfully complete all the coursework requirements for the programme with a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 or higher.
The core modules are designed to establish a strong foundation in the essential principles and methodologies of Health Economics and Outcomes Research. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of key concepts, analytical techniques, and economic evaluation methods necessary for conducting rigorous HEOR studies and contributing effectively to healthcare decision-making.
The suite of elective modules allows students to tailor their learning to specific interests, offering advanced knowledge and skills in various specialised areas. Through these electives, students can deepen their expertise and enhance their ability to address complex challenges in healthcare decision-making and policy, ensuring they are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to the field.
Study Schedule
| For Full-Time Students | |
|---|---|
|
Semester 1 |
HE5001 Evidence synthesis for HEOR HE5002 Introduction to HEOR HE5003 Quantitative Foundation for HEOR HE5004 Economic Methods in HEOR HE5005 Capstone I |
|
Semester 2 |
16 units of Elective Courses1 |
| For Part-Time Students | |
|---|---|
|
Year 1 / Semester 1 |
HE5001 Evidence synthesis for HEOR HE5002 Introduction to HEOR2 |
|
Year 1 / Semester 2 |
8 units of Elective Courses |
|
Year 2 / Semester 1 |
HE5003 Quantitative Foundation for HEOR HE5004 Economic Methods in HEOR HE5005 Capstone I |
|
Year 2 / Semester 2 |
8 units of Elective Courses HE5006 Capstone II |
1 See below for list of electives
2 Part-time students planning to take the following Elective Courses must first complete HE5002 Introduction to HEOR in their first semester, as it is a prerequisite for these courses:
HE5105 Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
HE5201 HTA – From Practice to Policy
HE5202 Market Access in MedTech
For the following core courses (offered in Semester 1), the delivery mode is in-person.
HE5001 Evidence synthesis for HEOR
HE5005 Capstone I
For elective courses (offered in Semester 2), the default delivery mode is in-person, unless otherwise stated.
Curriculum
Core Courses (24 Units)
HE5001 Evidence Synthesis for HEOR
The growing volume of published research has increased the need for systematic and efficient methods to synthesise evidence for health technology evaluations. This course introduces key principles of clinical epidemiology, systematic review, and meta-analysis within the context of Health Technology Assessment (HTA). It is designed to equip students with the skills to generate high-quality evidence that meets the needs of healthcare decision-makers.
HE5002 Introduction to HEOR
Students will be provided with foundational knowledge and practical skills in HEOR. The curriculum encompasses key areas including the organisation and financing of healthcare systems, the development life cycle of healthcare interventions, and strategies for market access and pricing. In addition, students will explore methods of value communication in HEOR, as well as examine the ethical considerations relevant to the field.
HE5003 Quantitative Foundation for HEOR
In epidemiological research, along with the statistical concepts and techniques applied in health-related studies. It covers topics such as research design, bias and confounding, regression analyses, and survival analysis. It aims to equip students with the skills to critically evaluate published research data that will form the evidence base for health economics and outcomes research.
HE5004 Economic Methods in HEOR
Students will gain a practical introduction to HTA research, developing the skills necessary to conduct their own studies and interpret research findings from others. This course covers the foundational principles of HTA and modelling techniques, with an emphasis on economic evaluation applied throughout the HTA process. Through hands-on experience, students will learn to conceptualize studies, assess the cost-effectiveness and budgetary impact of health technologies, and perform economic evaluations using statistical software. Advanced topics and contemporary methods from recent HTA literature are also explored, offering insights into emerging trends and developments in the field.
HE5005 and HE5006 Capstone 1 and 2
The combined Capstone I and II modules guide students through the full cycle of developing and executing a substantive project in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR). In Capstone I, students learn to conceptualise and design research projects by formulating clear, focused research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies, and constructing robust project frameworks aligned with current HEOR practices. This phase combines theoretical exploration with practical application to build strong analytical and project management skills. Building on this foundation, Capstone II provides students the opportunity to implement their proposals through substantial research work. Projects may involve primary data collection (e.g. fieldwork, surveys, interviews) or the secondary analysis of existing data sources. Under academic supervision, students conduct in-depth investigations, critically evaluate evidence, and apply suitable methodologies to address real-world challenges. The combined experience promotes independent thinking, problem-solving, and analytical rigour, culminating in the presentation of findings that demonstrate the student’s capacity to synthesise evidence and offer practical, informed solutions within the HEOR domain.
Elective Courses* (16 Units)
HE5101 Causal Inference and Impact Evaluation in Public Health
This course provides students with essential tools in causal inference and impact evaluation to determine whether programmes make a difference. Using real-world data and advanced quantitative methods, students will move beyond descriptive statistics to learn techniques such as difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, matching, and multivariable regression. Through hands-on analysis of person-level datasets and real-world case studies, students will apply causal inference methods to evaluate interventions. The course places strong emphasis on identifying bias and ensuring internal validity, equipping students to produce reliable and policy-relevant evidence. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to conduct rigorous impact evaluations and inform decision-making.
HE5102 DICE Simulation for HEOR
Students will be equipped with the conceptual understanding and technical skills necessary to design and construct simulations relevant to HTA. The module begins with a review of fundamental modelling concepts for HTA, followed by guidance on the implementation of stochastic simulation models. Key topics include the specification and application of statistical distributions, structuring models using the DICE methodology, and approaches to analysis, interpretation, and presentation of simulation results.
HE5103 Patient Reported Outcomes & Preference Assessment
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are assessments of a patient’s health condition provided directly by the patient, encompassing measures such as quality of life, functional status, and symptom burden. PROs are valuable for evaluating clinical effectiveness and play a fundamental role in health economics research, including economic evaluations and modelling analyses. This course offers an overview of PRO measurement and research, and also examines health preference assessment—a related field focused on eliciting and quantifying the relative importance of various treatment and health service attributes, such as risks, benefits, and costs, from the patient’s perspective.
HE5104 Modelling Infectious Diseases Techniques for HTA
Mathematical modelling is a valuable tool for understanding complex systems and plays a key role in the health technology assessment of interventions. It is particularly relevant in the context of infectious disease outbreaks and vaccination policy planning. This course equips students with the knowledge to understand, develop, and apply mathematical and computational models for health technology assessments.
HE5105 Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
A comprehensive introduction to Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (DCEA) is provided, offering a framework for evaluating the equity impacts of health interventions alongside cost-effectiveness. The content is intended for students already familiar with standard cost-effectiveness analysis for health technology assessment who wish to gain expertise in specialised methods for analysing distributional equity impacts and trade-offs. Students will learn how to design and conduct DCEA studies, estimate distributions of health effects and opportunity costs, and calculate summary measures of health inequality impact. The course also explores approaches for assessing trade-offs between reducing health inequality and maximising overall health benefits, as well as techniques for effectively communicating DCEA findings to decision-makers through clear visualisations and interpretation.
Pre-requisite: HE5002 Introduction to HEOR
HE5201 HTA - From Practice to Policy
This course is designed to provide health technology assessment (HTA) analysts, healthcare professionals and people working in pharmaceutical and medical device companies with a comprehensive understanding of the role of HTA in shaping healthcare policies. A basic understanding of HTA is required. Students will compare how HTA is practised in different countries, understand decision-making criteria used by payers and elements that affect their judgment when reviewing HTA reports, and explore the wider context in which HTA exists. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of HTA, with a focus on real-world scenarios and current challenges faced by policy makers.
Pre-requisite: HE5002 Introduction to HEOR
HE5202 Market Access in MedTech
The main levers of market access for Medical Devices, Diagnostics, and Digital Health Technologies are explored, utilising case studies from leading MedTech companies. Students will be equipped with practical, functional, and technical competencies to develop and implement robust market access strategies and roadmaps. The content bridges theory and practice to ensure that patients can benefit optimally and appropriately from MedTech innovations.
Pre-requisite: HE5002 Introduction to HEOR
*Please note that elective courses are subject to change, and not all electives may be offered each year.
Modes of Learning
Some classes are delivered in-person, whereas others are delivered online. This structure allows students to select courses that best suit their learning preferences and availability. In-person classes are typically conducted as intensive, full-day sessions over one or two weeks, offering an immersive learning experience that fits around professional and personal commitments.
For the following core courses (offered in Semester 1), the delivery mode is physical (in-person).
HE5001 Evidence synthesis for HEOR
HE5005 Capstone I
For elective courses (offered in Semester 2), the default delivery mode is physical (in-person), unless otherwise stated.