To address increasing gaps in regional healthcare needs, NUS launches a new Master's programme tailored to Asian healthcare systems.
WHEN Covid-19 emerged in 2019, it exposed critical gaps in how governments make healthcare decisions under pressure.
Faced with limited budgets and urgent demands, policymakers had to rapidly evaluate which interventions offered the best value.
It’s a challenge that persists today as ageing Asian populations demand access to increasingly expensive medical technologies.
To address this gap, the National University of Singapore (NUS), Asia's top-ranked university, has launched its MSc in Health Economics and Outcomes Research (MScHEOR) programme.
As Singapore's only specialised MScHEOR, it is tailored specifically to Asian healthcare systems and addresses critical regional shortages in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), health technology assessment (HTA) and market access talent.
MScHEOR programme director Assoc Prof Alec Morton said strong demand and a need for focused training led to the programme's creation.
"The main difference is that the Master of Public Health (MPH) focuses on building general skills in public health – designing epidemiological studies, understanding how to develop health promotion campaigns. But the MScHEOR focuses specifically on the skills necessary for health economics," he said.
The programme emphasises modelling the benefits of new medical technologies, including drugs and devices, as well as health financing and collaborating with Ministries of Health on budgeting for these innovations.
Students gain hands-on experience through capstone projects, building practical skills directly applicable to pharmaceutical and medtech industries, government agencies and consulting firms.
While this is the programme’s first intake, it builds on years of teaching health technology assessment within the MPH programme.
“As a school, we learnt a lot from Covid-19. And one of the important learnings is the need to be able to provide policy advice on a rapid basis in an emergency scenario.”
“We are keen to see what students make of it and how the programme evolves,” said Morton.
Though a work experience is not required, Morton notes that a background in either healthcare or quantitative disciplines such as economics, engineering or statistics is desired, given the programme's emphasis on data modelling and analytical work.
The programme welcomes applicants with or without prior work experience and offers a flexible and work-friendly learning structure, with classes delivered either in intensive 1-2 week in-person blocks or through online sessions, accommodating a range of professional commitments.
For those seeking a role that influences public health policy, applies research to real-world challenges and advances community wellbeing, the long-standing MPH programme offers the ideal pathway for aspiring public health professionals.
It features a holistic, interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in evidence-based approaches and collaborative learning, with new elective courses introduced to address post-pandemic shifts.
Leveraging NUS's position as Asia's top-ranked university, the programme gives students access to world-class faculty, research infrastructure and extensive academic networks.
"Through our School of Public Health's regional and global research collaborations, students gain international perspectives while engaging deeply with South-East Asian health systems and challenges," said MPH programme director Assoc Prof Mary Chong.
"This exposure cultivates public health leaders who are adaptive, thoughtful and equipped to drive meaningful change, both regionally and globally."
Unlike MScHEOR, the MPH programme requires applicants to have at least one to two years of work experience.
"Students who have at least one to two years of work experience tend to benefit most," Prof Mary Chong explained.
"Their prior work exposure allows them to better connect classroom concepts with practical insights, which enriches discussions and enhances the collective experience for all their peers."
Chong notes that the programme offers optional specialisations in seven key areas, which students are encouraged to pursue only if aligned with their professional interests.
Programme alumni have gone on to join government agencies and international organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and World Bank. Notable alumni include Dr Margaret Chan, a former WHO director-general.
Apart from financial aid and scholarships, the programme offers subsidised fees of up to 70% for international students by Singapore’s Health Ministry as part of its commitment to cultivating public health leaders in the region.
To learn more about the MScHEOR programme, visit this website For more information about the MPH programme, visit this website .
