Flexible online and on-campus study
Up to 150 hours professional experience
Top 5 provider in Australia for health degrees
Why choose health economics at Deakin
Turn data into evidence-based decisions that influence positive change in the healthcare system with Deakin’s Master of Health Economics. Develop advanced skills in economic evaluation, resource allocation and modelling to inform policy and improve health outcomes.
This course offers a flexible study experience, allowing you to tailor your degree to your career goals. You can choose to complete a major or minor research project or focus on coursework by selecting from a wide range of electives. Build expertise in areas such as health technology assessment, policy analysis and healthcare financing, and apply your skills through research, industry-based projects or up to 150 hours of professional experience. Ranked #36 in the world for public health, Deakin prepares you to contribute to decision-making across health systems, government, consulting and industry roles.
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Tailor your degree to your goals
Choose a major or minor research project, or complete your degree through coursework with a wide range of electives, so you can align your studies with your career goals.
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Gain professional experience
Apply your skills through industry-based projects or up to 150 hours of professional experience, building practical capability and professional networks.
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Learn from leading experts
Study with one of the largest health economics teams in Australia, with academics actively contributing to research, policy and practice.
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Highly ranked for public health
Deakin is ranked #36 in the world for public health, strengthening the global recognition of your qualification.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build advanced expertise in economic modelling, evaluation, health technology assessment and policy analysis. Graduate ready to influence major healthcare decisions, advise organisations on how resources are invested and pursue specialist and senior roles across health, government, consulting and research.
Health economist
Use economic modelling, evaluation and evidence to assess health programs, technologies and policies. Help governments, healthcare organisations and industry make informed decisions about investment, funding and resource allocation.
- $148K
Median earnings for economists in Australia
- 3.6/5
Job satisfaction
Industries you may work in
- Government and public policy
- Pharmaceutical and health technology industries
- International health organisations such as the WHO, UNDP and the World Bank Group
- Non-government agencies, research institutes and think tanks
- Corporate consulting firms
- Health insurance
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Health Economics?
Develop advanced skills in economic evaluation, modelling and policy analysis, with the flexibility to tailor your studies through research or coursework pathways aligned to your career goals.
Build core health economics expertise
Learn core economic principles
Build your understanding of economic concepts, evaluation, resource allocation and priority setting in healthcare.
Develop analytical skills
Gain capability in epidemiology and biostatistics to interpret data and inform evidence-based decisions.
Apply health economics methods
Explore areas such as health technology assessment and economic modelling to assess the value and impact of health interventions.
Tailor your degree to your goals
Undertake a research project (optional)
Complete a major or minor research project to build advanced research, analysis and communication skills.
Or focus on coursework
Select from a wide range of electives to deepen your expertise in areas such as policy analysis, healthcare financing or global health systems.
Gain practical experience
Apply your skills through industry-based projects or up to 150 hours of professional experience via an elective.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Health Economics you must pass 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
All students must complete the following eight core units and one zero credit point unit:
Project Options
Note students wishing to undertake the minor/major project are recommended to take HSH753 Research Methods in Health and Social Development as a course elective.
Minor Project Option^
Plus 6 of the course electives below
^Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 to be eligible to undertake the minor project option
Major Project Option*
Plus 4 of the course electives below
*Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 to be eligible to undertake the major project option
Students not selecting the minor/major project option must select 8 credit points of course electives from the below list:
Other electives may be approved on an individual basis. Course Director approval is required.
Professional recognition
Graduates may be eligible for membership with the following professional bodies:
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Students would normally complete the Master of Health Economics over 4 trimesters of full- time study or the part-time equivalent. As some students will be in full-time work, part-time enrolment will mean that these students will complete the course in 3 to 4 years.
Students may enrol in the course in either Trimester 1, 2 or 3. It is recommended that students take the minor or major project in their last 1 or 2 trimesters.
International on-campus students who commence in Trimester 2 or Trimester 3 intakes pursuing the Major Project stream are required to enrol into Trimester 3 of their second year in order to complete the course within their CoE course duration.
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
Any unit that contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a National Police Record Check, a Working with Children Check or other check. Please refer the relevant unit guide.
In the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course.
Limited places are allocated based on an interview process and academic merit.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
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| Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of organisational structure, delivery and financing of healthcare services from an economic perspective, including implications for efficiency, equity and access. |
| Communicate health economic issues to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written reports, oral presentation and digital communication, including:
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| Critically evaluate available digital sources of health and health systems data, for systematic reviews, economic modelling and health policy and priority setting recommendations. |
| Critically evaluate applied economic and conceptual frameworks used in health economics to analyse the effects of political, social and economic policies on health systems and community health, and apply analytic methods including evidence-based research, cost-effectiveness, and decision analyses to inform resource allocation and policy initiatives. |
| Independently analyse contemporary health problems from an economic perspective and formulate options for health system reform. |
| Demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability that contribute to the development of lifelong learning and professionalism in the area of health economics. |
| Demonstrate knowledge of their role as a health economist to work effectively within health economics and multidisciplinary teams. |
| Apply the principles of health economics, evidence-based economic evaluation and priority setting to problems in global health and the strengthening of health systems. |
- Award granted
- Master of Health Economics
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H704
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Alternate exits
- Graduate Certificate of Health Economics (H504)
- Graduate Diploma of Health Economics (H604)