International Health Economics & Pharmacoeconomics, M.Sc. Full time
Charakter Fresenius Hochschule · Wiesbaden, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The master’s program in International Health Economics & Pharmacoeconomics (M.Sc.) qualifies you for higher positions in research and education, as well as in the public and private sectors. More than three quarters of your fellow students come from abroad, and the course is built around international and interdisciplinary learning.
The program combines theory with a strong application focus, including a twelve-week residency placement and an academic project in the third semester. During your studies you work on topics such as economic theory for healthcare, health policy and healthcare delivery, and pricing and reimbursement, culminating in multiple semester papers, a project report, and a master’s thesis.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Build core knowledge in economics and pharmacoeconomics for international health markets
- Develop research and statistical skills used for health economic evaluation
- Cover topics such as economic theory for healthcare and global healthcare systems
- Learn foundations for economic evaluation and modelling techniques
- Complete a twelve-week residency placement in Germany or abroad
- Work on an academic project in the third semester connected to health economics practice
- Apply knowledge to international HTA processes, pricing, and reimbursement topics
- Advance strategic management and market strategies for international market access
- Focus on ethical resource allocation and healthcare systems and health policy
- Complete the master’s thesis supported by the program’s application-oriented learning approach
Curriculum
120 CP master’s program organised across four semesters, including a research project with residency placement, an assessment colloquium, and a master’s thesis with defense.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS / CP | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Semester | Core modules and skills | Health Economic Theory and Methodology | ||
| Introduction to Economic Theory for Healthcare | ||||
| Modelling in Pharmacoeconomics | ||||
| Epidemiology and Applied Statistics | ||||
| Data Analysis and Application of Quantitative Methods | ||||
| Pharmacoeconomic Evaluation and Outcomes Research | ||||
| 2nd Semester | Core modules and skills | Health Policy, Healthcare Systems & Regulations | ||
| Ethical Issues in Healthcare Resource Allocation | ||||
| International Healthcare Systems, Politics and Ethical Issues | ||||
| Market Access and Management | ||||
| Global Health Product Development and Regulations | ||||
| Market Strategies for International Healthcare | ||||
| Skills Academic Writing Skills | ||||
| Presentation and Negotiation Skills | ||||
| 3rd Semester | Research project and residency placement | International HTA Processes, Pricing & Reimbursement Management | ||
| Research Skills and Research Project* | ||||
| Residency Placement | ||||
| 4th Semester | Assessment and master’s thesis | Master’s Assessment Colloquium | ||
| Master’s Thesis & Master's Defense | ||||
| Total | All curriculum components including core modules, skills modules, research project with residency placement, master’s assessment colloquium, and master’s thesis & defense | |||
Career outcomes
- You train for roles like Market Access, Regulatory Affairs, and Health Technology Assessment, using pharmacoeconomics and health economics decision frameworks that employers rely on.
- You build practical, job-ready analytical skills in cost-benefit thinking, statistical methods, and economic evaluation for real healthcare and pharmaceutical decision-making.
- The program’s residency placement and integrated in-industry learning help you connect directly with how licensing, pricing, and reimbursement work in the market.
- You graduate with strong HEOR and HTA capabilities that fit international healthcare product development and market strategy teams.
- If you want a research path, the program is positioned to support continued academic study up to a doctorate.
Employability rate
Graduates of health-economics and pharmacoeconomics related master’s programs typically see an employability rate of around 84% and an unemployment rate of about 16% in Germany, reflecting steady demand for health-economics and evaluation skills across healthcare, pharmaceutical, and non-profit sectors.
Together, these figures suggest a generally stable outlook for you as long as you build applied experience through projects and placements during the degree.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree (international applicants) | International applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree with at least 180 credit points. |
| Relevant bachelor’s field (international applicants) | Your bachelor’s degree must be in STEM subjects, for example Natural/Life Science, Economics, Medical Engineering, or Medical Technology (such as pharmacy, chemistry, biology, nutritional science, mathematics, or statistics). |
Language requirements
This program is taught in English. International applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency equivalent to CEFR Level B2 or a PTE Academic score of 62. If you meet the university’s English proof requirements, you do not need German to study or sit for examinations.
PTE Academic
IELTS Academic
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 5280 / per semester | Tuition fees per semester: EUR 5,280. The program page notes that tuition fees for non-EU nationals may vary and you should consult the international team for further information. |
| Registration fee | EUR 595 / one time | Registration fee: EUR 595. |
| Semester fee | EUR 0 / per semester | The DAAD programme listing states that the semester contribution is included in the tuition fees. |
Proof of financial resources
If you need a visa/residence permit for study in Germany, you must show sufficient funds for living costs. The university guidance explains that the most common option is a blocked account.
- Proof of financial resources showing EUR 11,208 per year (EUR 934 per month), commonly provided via a blocked account
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
🎓 Scholarship
| Provider | Scheme name | Coverage | Eligibility notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD | EPOS — Development-Related Postgraduate Courses | Tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel allowance, health insurance | DAAD EPOS supports eligible applicants for development-related postgraduate study in Germany, including Master’s level courses taught in English. This program aligns with health and related fields and is eligible depending on the EPOS course selection for the relevant call. |
📝 How to Apply
Check eligibility for international applicants
Review the university’s admission requirements for the master’s program to confirm your bachelor’s degree level (at least 180 credit points) and your study field (STEM). Confirm that you can provide the required English language proof (CEFR B2 equivalent or PTE Academic 62). If anything about your foreign qualification is unclear, contact the study advice service before you submit.
Prepare your documents and language proof
Gather your passport and your bachelor’s transcript/degree documents that you will upload to the application portal. Ensure your English test result matches the university’s stated requirements for this English-language master’s program. Keep copies ready for later visa/residence-permit processes, as financial and study documentation will be needed.
Apply via the university application process
Submit your application through the university’s application portal during the next intake timeline. Upload the documents the admissions team requests for master’s applications and ensure they are readable and complete. If some documents are not ready yet, you can start your application and submit the remaining items when admissions asks for them.
Admission feedback and next steps
After you upload the relevant documents, the university aims to provide feedback within two days once all relevant documents are uploaded. If admitted, you will follow the instructions to complete enrollment steps for your semester start. For non-EU applicants, the university also notes the security deposit process as part of registration for visa documents.