UPF Barcelona School of Management
Online Master's Degree in Health and Drug EconomicsOnline
DURATION
22 Months
LANGUAGES
Spanish
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
02 Nov 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 10,000
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Key Summary
Introduction
The Online Master's Degree in Health and Drug Economics is ranked in the Top 50 in the world, within the areas of Health Management and Health Economics/Public Health by the EdUniversal ranking. Specialize in economic and management concepts, techniques and instruments in the pharmaceutical and health sectors with this program aimed at an international audience.
The Online Master's Degree in Health and Drug Economics offers you specialized training in health economics, economic evaluation and management of health services and technologies. Its objective is to provide you with a global vision of one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide in the health field.
Learn to apply the techniques and instruments for economic evaluation of medicines and medical technologies: cost-effectiveness, cost-utility and cost-benefit analysis.
Become familiar with the use of statistical and econometric techniques. You will be able to interpret economic analyses on topics such as the relationship between expenditure and income, the behaviour of prescribers or the determinants of the effectiveness of health interventions.
With the help of academic and professional experts, the effectiveness of the main policies for regulating and financing medicines in a health system is analysed. You will also learn how to apply the instruments for rational use of medicines, in order to maximise efficiency from the point of view of social well-being.
Delve deeper into economic analysis applied to the health sector and the economic behavior of the agents involved in it. Acquire this knowledge with special reference to the application of economic evaluation instruments in the macro, meso and micro management of health services.
After completing the master's subjects, you will prepare your Master's Final Project (TFM). Here you will apply the techniques of economic evaluation of medicines with the help of one of our specialist tutors.
The Online Master's Degree in Health and Drug Economics is endorsed by Pompeu Fabra University, the leading Spanish university and the 15th best university in the world (among those with less than 50 years of history), according to the Times Higher Education ranking. In turn, the UPF Barcelona School of Management has the EQUIS accreditation, the most prestigious institutional recognition for business schools worldwide.
Why choose this program
International recognition
Train at a school accredited by EQUIS, an international distinction that endorses the quality of our institution and makes us the first management school linked to a public university with this accreditation in our country.
Gain access to a widely recognized master's degree
It is recognized by the EdUniversal 2021 Ranking as 1st in Spain and in 43rd position worldwide in the area of Health Management. Within the 100% online programs, it occupies the 5th position internationally.
Academic excellence within your reach
Stay in touch with professors of the highest academic level and international experience. The master's degree is led by Jaume Puig-Junoy and Natàlia Pascual, academics and professionals with extensive experience and recognition in health economics.
We adapt to you
We offer you flexible, high-quality online training that is compatible with your work and family responsibilities. Learn at your own pace and from anywhere in the world, alongside other international students.
Join the master's degree of reference for companies and institutions
The programme is a pioneer in its sector and has been run for more than 20 years and has a 100% job placement rate. It has partnerships with health ministries in various countries and is part of the training agenda of important multinationals in the biopharmaceutical and health sector. Its comprehensive and rigorous approach makes it the benchmark master's degree in its field.
Accreditations
UPF Barcelona School of Management is the management school of Pompeu Fabra University, the leading Ibero-American university and the 16th university in the world, among those with less than 50 years of history, according to the Times Higher Education ranking.
The UPF Barcelona School of Management has the EQUIS accreditation, the most prestigious institutional recognition for business schools worldwide, which places it among the elite of business schools.
The Master in Health and Drug Economics is an official master's degree and has academic recognition from the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain. The Quality Agency of the University System of Catalonia (AQU) has also institutionally accredited UPF-BSM. This accreditation certifies all the official university master's degrees that we teach and recognises the quality of our educational model in accordance with the criteria of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
In addition, this master's degree is recognized by the EdUniversal 2021 Ranking as the best master's degree in Spain and is ranked 44th worldwide in the area of Health Management. Among the 100% online programs, the program is ranked 5th internationally.
Ideal Students
The master's degree is aimed at professionals in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, whose work is related to health economics , medication management , and decision-making in health technology assessment .
It is also aimed at graduates interested in acquiring the necessary skills to:
- The biopharmaceutical sector
- The management and financing of medicines
- Health technology assessment agencies
- Public and private health centers
- Consulting firms specialized in the health sector
Curriculum
The Online Master's Degree in Health and Pharmaceutical Economics consists of a total of 60 ECTS credits. The subjects are worth 6 ECTS credits, with the exception of Subject 6, which is worth 8 ECTS credits, and the Master's Final Project, which is worth 10 ECTS credits.
To make it easier for you to manage your daily tasks and achieve your academic goals, the program is structured into teaching units, through which you'll acquire instrumental, attitudinal, and conceptual skills. In each unit, you'll have a progress bar indicating the completion status of your tasks and a recovery period in case you need more time to complete them.
Each course is organized into four teaching units, each lasting two weeks, that combine different active methodologies: interactive and downloadable teaching content, video tutorials, introductory tests, self-assessment activities, practical activities, a final assessment test, and personalized and ongoing access to tutors via the discussion forum.
- Economic evaluation of medicines and medical technologies (1): basic concepts.
- Quantitative techniques applied to the management of health services
- Economics and drug financing policies
- Economic evaluation of medicines and medical technologies (2): advances.
- Drug management in healthcare systems
- Modeling techniques in economic evaluation of medicines and health technologies
- Health Economics (1): Supply
- Health Economics (2): Demand
- Final Master's Thesis (TFM)
Complementary activities
The Online Master's Degree in Health and Pharmaceutical Economics also includes the opportunity to participate in practical activities that promote personal and professional growth, such as:
- Three initial leveling training supplements are proposed in the areas of global health, statistics, and/or economics. These supplements will be offered in parallel with the first course in order to level the students' academic profiles and ensure they benefit from the program.
- UPF-BSM Inside: This is a group of cross-curricular and interdisciplinary subjects (applied data, communication, creativity, innovation and project management, sustainability, management and leadership, among others) that you can access at no additional cost if you enroll in this program. They are 100% online and can be completed at your own pace throughout the academic year, as they have been designed as self-paced courses.
Career Opportunities
The program provides them with specialized training to work as managers in the biopharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
The Career Services allow you to participate in the Talent UP professional development program. This is a complementary training program designed to position and increase your value in the professional market.
This program provides you with tools, resources, individual career counseling, training activities, corporate events, and a variety of professional opportunities.
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies ( market access , health economics and outcomes research ).
- Medical technology companies: medical devices, healthcare, clinical, surgical, or diagnostic equipment.
- International organizations (WHO, UNICEF, OECD, IDB, WB, etc.).
- Healthcare institutions at the local, regional, or national level, public administrations responsible for the management and/or financing of medicines, other medical technologies, and health services.
- Health technology assessment agencies and committees for the evaluation or incorporation of drugs and health benefits.
- Private insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, training centers in clinical management, medicines, and health services, etc.
- Hospitals, primary care centers, clinical laboratories, and public or private health centers.
- Consulting firms specializing in the health sector and public policies.
- Private medical organizations, professional associations and scientific societies.
- Non-governmental and aid organizations in the health sector.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
UPF Barcelona School of Management offers various financing options so you can pursue any of our programs without worries. We offer you the opportunity to finance part of your program, either by rewarding your talent through scholarships, through grants from organizations dedicated to promoting education, or through collaboration agreements with financial institutions.
Talent Scholarship
Apply for our Talent Scholarship, awarded to those who demonstrate talent and motivation.
Aid from other organizations
A large number of organizations and institutions outside of UPF Barcelona School of Management offer financial aid to students who wish to enroll in our master's and postgraduate programs.
Discounts for UPF alumni
If you are a member of our alumni associations or one of our partner universities, we offer a series of discounts applicable to your program tuition.
Discounts for UPF staff
If you are a member or family member of a UPF group employee or belong to one of the collaborating institutions of the UPF Barcelona School of Management you can enjoy a series of discounts applicable to your program's tuition fees.
Discounts from UPF Partner Universities in Latin America
Participants from these universities will enjoy a 10% discount on tuition fees for Master's and Postgraduate programs at UPF Barcelona School of Management with more than 15 ECTS credits.
Novo Nordisk
60% aid for healthcare professionals in the health sector
Health and Medicine Economics Grants
Certain programs at UPF Barcelona School of Management offer prospective students specific support.