BSc/MSci programme

The curriculum of this transformational programme is designed with global experiences, networking opportunities, and strategic projects to boost your skills for a healthcare management career.

On this page you'll find:

The UG Business and Health module breakdown
Teaching and learning methods on the programme

All students undertaking this programme gain core skills in business and health, statistical techniques, economics, and perspectives on health. You then have the choice to specialise in either healthcare management or health science while continuing to build your knowledge in business and management core areas. Not only can you tailor the content to your preferred career path, but you also gain the opportunity to take it either as a Bachelor of Science or an Integrated Master’s degree. For students taking the integrated master’s route, you’ll have the opportunity to spend an academic year either on an international study abroad programme where you’ll gain a global context and comparison of multiple health systems, or you’ll undertake a work placement to further your employability skills.

Programme curriculum

Year 1 - Term 1 - all students

Accounting and Finance for Managers - compulsory - 15 credits

This module will introduce you to accounting and financial management principles and practices from a business perspective. It is designed for those new to these disciplines. It allows you to gain an appreciation of the basics of financial statements and how to assess an organisation’s financial performance and position. Through this module, you will also gain insights into how profit is affected by changes in selling prices, costs or the volumes of services sold.

You will also begin to learn techniques for financial management, including how different costing methods that affect decision-making, the preparation and management of budgets and the key financial statements you need to understand as a manager.

Furthermore, you will also have the opportunity to contextualise accounting and finance within health and healthcare organisations through some case studies examples and exercises you will complete as part of the seminar sessions.

Reimagining Healthcare - compulsory - 15 credits

This module introduces interdisciplinarity and its role in breaking down traditional boundaries between business and health studies. You will explore how such an interdisciplinary approach to the wicked problems faced by the healthcare sector can create innovation and solutions. You will learn about the challenges faced by such an approach to healthcare as well as the opportunities.

You will learn about the emerging global health ecosystem, the role of the private and public sectors as well as other stakeholders, professions, and sub-disciplines that make up the health sector. You will examine how and why the current disciplines and professions exist within healthcare alongside issues that can subsequently impede the integration of business and management approaches.

Principles and Practices of Economics - compulsory - 15 credits

This module is designed to give you a grounding in how the economy works. The module is designed for those with or without a basic background in economics as it is very topic driven. You will learn the basic theories of macroeconomics (that of the economy as a whole) and microeconomics (the behaviour of individuals, firms and governments and the interactions between them).

In this module, we will be using an approach that is based on three pillars (the CORE approach). These three pillars are designed to help you learn how to: 1) Formulate a problem that our society is facing now or has faced in the past; 2) Build a theory to explain and solve the problem; and 3) Evaluate the usefulness of the theory by using data observations and more novel theories.

Introduction to Management - compulsory - 15 credits

This module introduces management of organisations in a global context. This module critiques the structure and management of organisations – what they are, how they operate, and ways to manage and organise work in organisations of various sizes and missions. It provides an overview of the main business functions and how they contribute to organisational success.

The module will expose you to various theories, frameworks and models for analysing and understanding management and leadership in a range of contexts and cases. The module is organised thematically with each week’s teaching contributing to a holistic understanding of management theory and practice, as well as current management challenges.

Issues to be covered and discussed in this module will have managerial implications to develop your decision-making skills in a management context. This horizontal integration of the various elements of the module will ensure that you are connecting theory to ‘real-life’ application and practice.

Year 1 - Term 2 - all students

Innovation and Intrapreneurship for Healthcare - compulsory - 15 credits

This module introduces you the concepts for innovation, intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship theory and practice. Using a case study approach, this module will give you a foundation in innovation and entrepreneurship. You will explore theories and frameworks associated with innovation and entrepreneurship. You will explore the differences between spin ups, spin outs and startups and how these all serve different purposes in the pipeline of innovation into the healthcare sector. This module will explore frameworks of ideation and evaluations to support the bench to bedside development. including studying several frequent sources of product development. The module will consider the urgent need for innovation to address many of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today such as workforce shortages, chronic diseases, noncommunicable diseases and ageing. This will all be brought together in seminar sessions where students will apply their newly acquired knowledge to build a range of entrepreneurial skills that can be applied to healthcare innovations.

Health and Social Care - compulsory - 15 credits

The module will introduce you to the health and social care sector, the various roles across the sector, responsibilities of professionals, stakeholders, contemporary health issues, lived experiences and factors that prevent individuals and populations from accessing health and social care provision at a local, national, and international level. You will explore the importance of community-based health and social care across difference countries, how health is viewed and managed in different cultural contexts as well as the role of prevention. You will consider the different factors that influence the lives of various groups within society and explore ways that various organisations both public and private attempt to assist individuals and communities overcome socio-economic barriers for better health outcomes. Topics covered will include poverty and inequality of health, social determinants of health, illness and employment, substance abuse, mental health challenges, as well as the role of public policy, the state and communities in shaping health and social care.

Principles of Marketing - compulsory - 15 credits

The module covers the fundamentals of marketing and how the marketing strategy is developed and implemented in practice to support organisational goals. Marketing draws on strategy, analytics, and creative thinking. It involves a mix of functions. Topics that will be included are (1) identifying customer needs, (2) developing products/services to meet existing or future customer needs, (3) pricing strategies (4), delivering products/services effectively and efficiently, and (5) using data to promote offerings to stimulate customer engagement.

You will not only learn the basics of marketing in the module, but marketing orientation particularly in regard to the consumer. You will examine the role of the consumer from different angles – for profit, non-profit as well as product and service. You will locate marketing within the organisation as well as recognise it in relationship to other organisational functions. You will also learn how to undertake a marketing audit for supporting organisational objectives. Furthermore, you will learn how to combine a marketing mix into a plan and structure for taking forward to the market.

Introduction to Statistics and Data Insights - compulsory - 15 credits

This module is an introduction to statistics and its applications to business and health. You will initially consider descriptive statistics and then move sequentially on to probability and sampling distributions, inferential statistics (using parametric approaches) and regression. The module will focus on understanding these concepts and methodologies through applications to management and health. You will learn the language of data as well as how to organise and visualise data in tables and charts to assist with presenting your results in various settings.

Year 2 - Term 1 - all students

Comparative Health Systems - compulsory - 15 credits

In this module you will learn what a health system is, how we can measure its performance and effectiveness as well as how we strengthen health systems for the complex and challenging tasks of providing health and healthcare in the 21^st century. You will also explore the debate around fair and equitable ways to organise, deliver and finance health care so that all populations can have universal access.

You will also learn about several challenges facing health systems such as ageing populations, rising noncommunicable diseases, climate change, health technologies and the politicalisation of health care. You will learn how to take a global and comparative approach to thinking about health systems to understand the advantages and disadvantages of designing health systems and, especially the financing and resourcing of health systems, in differ ways. This module will enable you to understand and critically evaluate health systems in terms of their goals, organisation, funding, efficiency, equity and other dimensions. The module is designed to provide you with the frameworks and tools needed to undertake analyses of health systems and critically assess the options for reform.

Health Ethics - compulsory - 15 credits

The purpose of this module is to introduce you to ethical issues in public and private health and healthcare. Basic principles underlying legal systems, governmental regulations, development of health policies, and how to interact effectively with the health system will be explored. This module has two main purposes: first, to understand health policies and practices from an ethics lens and second, to examine the context of the relationship between the individual and the health system.

This module introduces you to the theoretical and practical aspects of health ethics. It develops your analytical skills to evaluate ethical issues related to health policy, practice, prevention, treatment, and research.

Possible topics include:

- Ethical reasoning and concepts of social justice and health equity

- Global Health and Human rights

- Principles of interacting with communities

- Public duties of physicians, health professionals and other health system actors

- Professional conduct and research

- Women’s health

- Refugees’ health

- Cultural and religious considerations

- Patient/Population’s Responsibilities and the Role of the Healthcare Consumer

- Ethical Issues Relating to Life and Death

Principles and Practices of Project Management - compulsory - 15 credits

This module introduces you to the concepts, tools and frameworks of project management. The module is designed to incorporate a holistic approach to this interdisciplinary subject. The module will focus on emerging concepts and principles of management of projects and puts into perspective management theory and practice. The module adopts the Project Management Institute (PMI) approach to delivering projects and is structured as follows:

1. Introduction to Project Management
2. Scope Planning
3. Time Planning
4. Cost Planning
5. Risk Planning
6. Earned Value Management
7. Human Resources Management
8. Agile Project Management
9. Benefits Management

Research Methods for Management and Health - compulsory - 15 credits

The module provides you with an introduction to key themes on research design. You will also gain an understanding of the similarities and differences between different disciplines for undertaking research questions. It covers the following topics:

The nature of management and health research: you will explore the nature of research and distinguish it from other forms of enquiries as well as identify common social science techniques and themes for research undertaken in management and health studies.

Ethics in research: you will become familiar with ethical issues in relation to the choice of research topics, the methods of data collection, the responsibilities of the researcher and other key ethical considerations. You will also learn how to submit an application for ethics approval and why this is an important aspect of research.

Year 2 - Term 2 - Healthcare Management route

Health Economics - compulsory - 15 credits

The module aims to provide you with an introduction to the key concepts, methods, and understanding of the application of economics to health and healthcare. You will gain knowledge of the core theories underpinning health economics as well as an introduction to value-based healthcare. You will begin to explore the grand challenges healthcare systems face and how health economics can play a role in understanding and mitigating these challenges. The module combines economic theory and applied research within health economics.

The module begins by introducing health economics and the economics of health, their importance, and some of their unique characteristics. You will come to understand the theory of demand for healthcare and its empirical applications, as well as value-based healthcare. You will also explore issues such as the supply of labour/human capital and resources of healthcare. You will also examine the relationship between income and health as well as questions around inequalities in both the distribution and financing of health care. You will also be introduced to different techniques for economic evaluation (EE) and decision-making relating to resource prioritisation within healthcare.

Healthcare Finance - compulsory - 15 credits

This module is intended to give you an understanding of the role of finance in the healthcare industry. You will learn about the unique features and challenges of investing in healthcare innovations from the perspective of financial market stakeholders. Much of the focus will be on the development of pharmaceutical and biotech firms which do the discovery of novel products and are driving much of the innovation for the healthcare industry.

In this module, you will learn the key concepts and principles of healthcare finance and how healthcare finance is essential for innovations in the healthcare sector. You will learn the role of financial and capital markets as well as some of the different financing methods and valuation techniques in facilitating drug discovery and clinical development. You will also learn how investors assess companies and innovations as well as mitigate risks.

Healthcare Supply Chain Management - compulsory - 15 credits

This module will introduce you to supply chain management and its role in healthcare. You will learn about what supply chain management is and how healthcare delivery depends on it. The module will cover key operations and supply chain management concepts, theories and tools. It will illustrate process mapping and will teach you how to use process maps to model the steps required for the delivery of healthcare products and services. It will include considerations on quality systems. It will cover demand forecasting and will present tools to predict demand. It will reflect on lean and how this tool can be applied in healthcare and in many other settings.

We will reflect on procurement and how to manage this function effectively. We will review the impact of technologies such as AI and reflect on their potential for operations and supply chain management. You will learn about inventory management and we will review tools to manage inventories effectively. You will learn about logistics and outsourcing. We will cover distribution and discuss the different alternatives to consider when distributing a product. There will be considerations on key contemporary issues in healthcare supply chain management and we will reflect on their relevance and meaning.

Human Resources and Workforce Planning - compulsory - 15 credits

This module provides you with the knowledge and skills to understand the current issues in human resources (HR) management as it relates to healthcare. You will be exposed to key concepts, practices, and issues relating to HR management. Healthcare organisations worldwide are struggling to train, recruit and retain adequate staff. You will come to understand the challenges that the healthcare industry faces and why. Moreover, you will learn the difference between organisational development and change management. Both these topics are critical for healthcare where there is a constant need to improve the quality of operations, delivery and support for patients. This course serves as a foundation for all aspects of HR planning and development in hospitals, long-term care centres, as well as community and outpatient settings. You will explore the basic functions of HR; the cost of hiring, training, turnover, and credentialing; cultural competence and diversity; as well as the role of outside factors, such as regulatory bodies, unions, and other stakeholders.

Year 2 - Term 2 - Health Science route

Frontiers of Knowledge in Population Health - compulsory - 15 credits

This module will develop your understanding of new and emerging issues in population health; it will prioritize the presentation of academic work in progress rather than established knowledge. The aim is to teach you about emerging themes in population health as well as how knowledge develops and is disseminated within the academic community. Further aims are to enable you to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary population health research and to further develop your capacity to critically appraise key issues in population health. Teaching will cover a variety of topics related population health from developmental theory through to ageing.

A Life Course Approach to Health - compulsory - 15 credits

This is a module which brings together expertise in Child Health, Ageing and Cohort Methodology. It will focus on the British birth cohort studies and their contribution to understanding how factors across life affect subsequent health. The module will introduce students to the key theories, concepts and models in life course epidemiology and life course study designs. Session will then illustrate how a life course approach has resulted in gains in knowledge across a range of topics from childhood development to ageing, from physical function to mental health. While policy implications will be highlighted in many lectures, there will be a session devoted entirely to thinking about policy and the life course. Seminar and practical activities will provide a chance to critically assess life course research, to discuss the advantages and limitations of a life course approach, and to gain an understanding of how to develop and test a life course hypothesis. Overall, the module aims for you to develop a deeper understanding of the life course approach in contemporary population health research, and to develop critical arguments around key topics and challenges in life course research.

Acute and Chronic Infectious Diseases - compulsory - 15 credits

This module aims to provide an understanding of the important and common infections, and the diseases that they cause, in the population. Throughout the module, learning will adopt a population health approach and refer to the main components of the BSc Population Health programme (i.e. quantitative methods; social theory) as well as to public and individual health policy. Teaching will relate not only to UK infectious disease epidemiology but also to other global regions. You will cover a range of topics, including:

Basic principles of infection and immunity.
Social, economic and structural changes as drivers of change in infectious disease.
Spanish Flu 2018 to Coronavirus 2020: successes and challenges in response to epidemics/pandemics
Sexual health and sexually transmitted diseases
Vector-borne infections
How climate, geography and environment affect infectious diseases in human populations.
Public health interventions (e.g. behaviour/surveillance) to improve infection control.
Vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine policy and implementation.
Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Infections that cause “non-communicable” diseases.

Demographic Analysis - compulsory - 15 credits

This is a module which aims to introduce you to theory, concepts and data in demography, to enable you to undertake basic demographic analysis, and to make you develop written and interpretative skills of data analysis. Set within the framework of the basic demographic equation (population change = births – deaths +/- net migration) the course unpacks the demographer’s tool kit. You will cover the derivation, use and interpretation of key measures used in the study of population structure and the components of population change (fertility, mortality and migration) concluding with a look at population projection. You will also cover how the study of demographic pattern and processes relates to many of the great social policy challenges of the 21st Century.

Year 3 Term 1 - Healthcare Management route

Health Policy and Management - compulsory - 15 credits

This interdisciplinary module examines contemporary issues in global health policy and management. A conceptual model of policy formulation, implementation, and modification activities is used to structure the content of the policymaking process. You will also develop skills in policy analysis, the development of evidence-based policy, and the management of global health interventions involving various populations.

You will explore the health delivery and policy process using a variety of global health case studies, which focus on content areas such as maternal health, HIV policy, child health, family planning and medication access from a policy and delivery lens. You will also cover topics such as the relationship globalisation (trade and finance) and geopolitics can have on health policy and management.

Operations Strategy - compulsory - 15 credits

This module aims to provide you with the tools and frameworks to develop strategic and operational management competencies. You will examine various approaches to formalising and developing strategy as well as how to operationalise it. Moreover, you will learn how to apply strategic thinking to driving forward operational effectiveness by using such an approach to allocating resources and people within an organisation as well as a means of getting competitive advantage. Throughout the module the links between strategy and operational management will become clear.

You will learn to successfully develop and implementation an operations strategy as a competitive advantage to ensure high-quality services in sectors such as healthcare. You will review different operation models, methodologies, and the integration of the operations strategy with the organisational strategies.

Data Analytics & AI for Healthcare - compulsory - 15 credits

What does artificial intelligence mean for the health industry? How can companies and healthcare providers take advantage of it?

This course aims to challenge the major misconceptions surrounding AI and will equip students with knowledge to pioneer successful integration of AI technologies as a transformative toolkit in healthcare and health-related companies.

The content will focus on managerial and organizational implications of AI technologies rather than the technical aspects surrounding the design and development of the technologies. The learning journey will bring to light the reality of key AI technologies, business insights, the economic and societal issues they raise and ways in which AI technologies can be used safely and sustainable to strengthen the workforce rather than eliminate jobs. Specifically, the course will examine various human-in-the-loop models where the best of human and machine intelligence can be collectively harnessed.

Health & Sustainability - compulsory - 15 credits

The world we live in is diverse, complex, and dynamic. The interdependences of an integrated world system and economy have significant intended and unintended consequences on various communities and segments of the world economy. All of these links to the broader environmental, social, governance and health challenges. In this module, you will get a historical perspective of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as well as ESG. You will come to appreciate the links between organisations and the wider society and the need for a sustainable mindset to business.

With a focus on the wider policy implications, some of the topics that will be covered in this module:
-   The rapidly evolving ESG plus Health landscape
-   The Broader Regulatory Environment
-   Climate Change and its impact on Health and Well-being
-   Greenwashing
-   Challenge of decreasing carbon emissions and other air pollution
-   Links between health, environment, and sustainable development
-   Equity and sustainability
-   Planetary health

Year 3 Term 1 - Health Science route

Data Analytics & AI for Healthcare - compulsory - 15 credits

What does artificial intelligence mean for the health industry? How can companies and healthcare providers take advantage of it? This course aims to challenge the major misconceptions surrounding AI and will equip students with knowledge to pioneer successful integration of AI technologies as a transformative toolkit in healthcare and health-related companies.

Health & Sustainability - compulsory - 15 credits

Health and Economic Development - compulsory - 15 credits

This module is designed to give you a background in economic development and assist you in understanding the impact it has had on health and well-being. In particular, you will come to understand how the macroeconomy and health are linked often through the trade-offs societies make around economic growth and social equity. You will also come to appreciate the role of the global economy (trade and finance) in terms of its impact on the distribution of resources and the health effect. You will analyse and critique the impact the economic development on poverty and health.

Topics to be covered in this module:
-   Theories of economic growth and development
-   Macroeconomics and Health
-   Global Wealth and Health
-   Poverty and Health
-   The economic transition from agriculture to industrialisation
-   The role of trade and the global economy
-   Labour migration
-   Financial liberalisation
-   Sustainable development goals
-   Income inequality

Population Ageing - compulsory - 15 credits

‘Population Ageing’ is a module which will provide you with key concepts and an understanding of global population ageing patterns and trends, ageing-related changes across diverse physical and psychosocial domains [e.g. cognitive ageing patterns or changes in social roles and relationships], frequency and distribution of various age-associated health and social problems [e.g. disability, social isolation and SES inequalities], and implications of ageing for formal and informal health and social care in different country contexts [e.g. financial costs and family burden]. You will be introdued to different theoretical perspectives on ageing, their applications in scientific research on ageing and health, and the methodology of major ageing cohort studies and longitudinal studies on ageing and health in the UK and internationally. Overall, this module aims to provide a multidisciplinary overview of the links between ageing across the life course, health and wellbeing, the social and economic implications of popation ageing on societies across the globe and social care.

Year 3 Term 2 - BSc route

Business & Health Research Project - compulsory - 30 credits: In this module you will have the opportunity to connect with research in an area that has piqued your curiosity in the programme. You will bring together what you have learned across the programme and through desk-based research produce an original piece of research. This piece of work is an opportunity for you to work independently to shape and engage on a topic that excites you. This project can be part of an enhanced synthesis of the literature, practice or an area of clinical practice. The ambition is to allow you the opportunity to identify personal areas of specialisation or interest to inform your academic skills for professional development.
Capstone in Business and Health - compulsory - 30 credits: This module is designed to give you an integrative learning experience by drawing on all the disciplines and subject matter you have been presented with across the Business and Health programme. You should consider this module a “culminating experience” that will integrate academic coursework with practical experiences to hone your skills in application and transition from the academic environment to the complex environment of health and healthcare. You will broaden your knowledge by synthesizing programme content through decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based management practices. The primary objective of this module will be to advance your ability to comprehend and collaborate on healthcare management and science through practical applications.

Year 3 Term 1+2 - MSci route

Business and Health Placement - compulsory - 120 credits: The placement aim is for you to have the opportunity to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills gained during your programme of study through the medium of a work placement that is relevant to the selected programme route. The experience will extend, enhance, and underpin learning, in addition to developing your business and health competencies. The placement aims to provide practical workplace experience to enhance your employability prospects.
Business and Health Study Abroad - compulsory - 120 credits: This module is open to students undertaking the Msci in Business and Health, who choose to undertake an international Study Abroad in their third year of study. The aim of this module is to enable individuals to explore their mobility experience through a cross-cultural lens that focuses on the key themes of health and business in an international context, cross-cultural awareness through activities that draw on research inquiry, culture, employability, reflection and professional development. You will be allocated a designated mobility supervisor from your programme who will provide support via e-mail and pre-arranged video call conversations. You will be enrolled at the host institution on agreed modules and will receive a pass/fail mark for credits transferred to UCL. You will be expected to take the equivalent credit value of 120 credits.

Year 4 - Term 1 MSci

Data Analytics & AI for Healthcare - compulsory - 15 credits

What does artificial intelligence mean for the health industry? How can companies and healthcare providers take advantage of it?

ESG, Health & Sustainability - compulsory - 15 credits

Students also choose two optional modules for Term 1 from the following:

Digital Health Start-ups - optional - 15 credits

This module is intended to give you frameworks and models that will shape your thinking about small and medium size businesses within the national and global economy for driving forward innovation particularly in the digital health sector. Using simulation and gamification, you will gain an understanding of the complexity of initiating a business, the different contexts in which entrepreneurship can flourish, the decision making processes and the dynamics and competitive nature of the digital health marketplace for new products and services. You will also reflect on the characteristics of entrepreneurial leadership.

Much attention will be paid to business models, selection of the most appropriate business model and the validation as they relate to health innovations. You will also get an introduction to the regulatory environment for digital health technologies both nationally and internationally as well as questions around intellectual property. You will consider sources of investment such as venture capital and the governance and control of company decisions that come with different equity arrangements. The subject will come alive through a series of digital health entrepreneurs who will speak to you on a bi-weekly basis.

You will also learn about the critical aspects of running a start-up in terms of acquisition of resources, finances and human resource management.

Strategic Healthcare Leadership - optional - 15 credits

This module has an active learning focus to enable you to develop your identity as a healthcare leader. It is based on the principles that personal growth and development of self are core to successful leadership.

Through a reflective, action learning approach, you will become aware of your values and purpose as a leader. You will learn how your personal development needs influence your leadership style. You will also understand the importance of leadership for shaping, defining and communicating an organisation’s purpose, vision, mission, culture and values. Moreover, you will learn how strategic leaders develop the direction of the organisation.

You will come to understand the role of leaders in relationship to boards and organisational governance, strategic planning, financial sustainability and accountability, managing resources, stakeholder engagement and drivers for continuous improvement. The module will also explore the importance of ethical leadership, role modelling, personal presence, mental toughness, resilience and reflective practice as a leader.

Key principles of strategic leadership will come alive in this module through guest speakers who will share their leadership journeys with you. These lectures are intended to cover the principles of strategic leadership and application of leadership theories such as value-driven leadership, leading with integrity, entrepreneurial leadership, authentic leadership and cross-cultural leadership as examples. You will be challenged to think critically about these various approaches as they apply to healthcare in practice.

Healthcare Power and Politics - optional - 15 credits

This module will introduce you to the politics and power dynamics in healthcare organisations. You will learn to identify, analyse and critique concepts and theories concerning power and politics especially in regard to their relationship to resource allocation within organisations. The module will incorporate a range of tools and frameworks to inform your understanding of power dynamics particularly in a healthcare setting. You will also have several opportunities to put your learning into action through case studies and simulation exercises. The aim is to get you to identify power relationships as well as learn how to influence and shape these relationships. The module will also look at key leadership skills such as change management, conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement and negotiations in the workplace for addressing power dynamics.

You will learn that “being political” is key to succeeding in any organisation and you must embrace navigating politics. Your leadership and management skills will be enhanced through better understanding and engagement with power and politics. Given the focus on healthcare as the organisational context, the political terrain within your organisation as well as the wider health sector will be used for advancing your influencing skills. We will focus on ensuring that you gain the required emotional intelligence to not only identify the “rules of the game”, but engage in a manner to shape and influence decisions.

Pharmaceutical and Biotech Policies and Practices - optional - 15 credits

The aim of this module is to provide you with insights into biotechnology and pharmacology practices and strategies for research and development management; business maintenance and expansion; licensing; generic versus brand-name proprietary drug business; and mergers and acquisitions as these topics relate to these industries.

You will learn specifically about pharmaceutical expenditures, pricing of drugs and the distinctive features of the pharmaceutical market due to drug funding policies. You will also understand the advantages and disadvantages of various models of drug price setting and regulation that are applied in various health systems.

Patents, intellectual property and ethics will be evaluated for both industries with the aim of analysing the main economic and societal effects and perceptions.

The role of government as funder and regulator with its impact in various health systems will be explored particularly where products require time to be prepared for market and the risk of uncertainty among investors can make private equity hard to acquire.

Year 4 - Term 2 MSci

Business and Health Dissertation - compulsory - 60 credits: In this module you will have the opportunity to connect with research in an area that has piqued your curiosity in the programme. You will bring together what you have learned across the programme and through research and investigation using primary research to produce an original piece of research. This piece of work is an opportunity for you to work independently to shape and engage on a topic that excites you. The ambition is to allow you the opportunity to identify personal areas of specialisation or interest to inform your academic skills for professional development.

Teaching and learning methods on the programme

Module Teaching is primarily in the form of attended lectures and seminars across terms, in module teaching. Face-to-face seminars and lectures make up about 14 hours per week in terms, and there is considerable independent reading and recorded lectures study expected through a module delivery period and in the identified revision weeks.

Weekly group tutorials allow for more detailed discussion and consideration of the material covered. Face to face lectures will include guest, expert speakers as well as UCL academics delivering key components of the modules.

An ongoing seminar session focused on informal case-based presentations and discussions related to module content allows for analytical understanding (and presentation skills) to be demonstrated and developed.

Module consolidation seminars involving problem or case-based presentations relating to module content allow for knowledge and understanding to be tested, and for formative feedback to be given in advance of summative assessment, alongside focused revision sessions.

Project development workshops allow for investigative, analytical, synthesis and data interrogation skills to be developed, while being put into practice as students advance their business, health and research project skills.

BSc/MSci programme

Programme curriculum

Teaching and learning methods on the programme

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