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If you are already pursuing a B.Sc. in Health Economics and would like to find out about the specific details of your bachelor's degree programme, you will find what you are looking for on the "programme structure" page.

Key Facts

Degree: Bachelor of Science
Duration: 6 semesters
Credits: 180 ECTS
Languages: German, English
Beginning: Winter semester
Content: Application of: Knowledge, theories and methods of business administration, medicine, health economics, sociology and economics
Goal: To demonstrate the interdisciplinary    possibilities of quality and increasing efficiency in the healthcare sector.
International: Studies abroad, Business English course (optional)

This programme offers you:

  • Skills for a career in healthcare that requires interdisciplinary skills in medicine, management, and politics.
  • Basic knowledge to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the field, based on the stakeholder groups relevant to healthcare (f.i. managers, political decision makers, and doctors).
  • Methods for the application of health economic instruments to support, design or implement decision making processes.

You should have the following skills and knowledge:

  • A keen interest in familiarising yourself with interdisciplinary topics
  • Willingness to perform and ability to work in a team, as working in groups is frequently practised in seminars and is an important skill for combining different perspectives in the healthcare sector
  • Independent, goal- and result-orientated learning
  • Good mathematical understanding and analytical thinking
  • Good verbal communication skills in German and English

By taking the online math test in ILIAS, prospective students can compare their knowledge and skills against the requirements of most of the degree programmes at the WiSo- Faculty (only German).

Joana

Based on the basics of economics and social sciences, the Bachelor's degree in Health Economics provides an interdisciplinary and multidimensional view of health. The interplay between social, economic and medical health aspects makes the course very versatile, challenging, and interesting.

Joana, Joana Bachelor student Health Economics at the WiSo Faculty

This programme is right for you if you are interested in finding the answers to the following questions:

  • How are hospitals financed?
  • What is evidence-based medicine?
  • How much dies a treatment cost?
  • How is treatment quality measured?
  • Who are the main players in the healthcare sector?
  • What are the special features of the accounting of healthcare providers?
  • How many doctors do you have to hire if you always want a doctor to be present?
  • What are the most important disorders?

Programme overview

Combining Health Perspectives

By incorporating the medical, management and system perspectives into the study programme structure, you will be prepared for a successful career in healthcare with a comprehensive understanding. The study contents are conveyed by researchers and experts from practice and thus create a well-founded portfolio of theories, methods, and interdisciplinary application.

Specialised Career Paths

With the innovative development of a Health Care Manager and a Health Care Analyst Track, you have the possibility to focus on one of these tracks from the fourth semester onwards. The tracks recommend specific courses to round up the study programme and help you select courses according to your desired job profile.

Unique cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine

The Bachelor of Science in Health Economics at the University of Cologne is the only degree programme that enables such a close teaching and research cooperation between a faculty of economics and social sciences and a medical faculty in Germany. For instance, courses on medical vocabulary will create a basic knowledge for your specific medical perspective.

International

Discussion of selected international topics

In selected courses, international topics from research and health economic practice are discussed. Furthermore, it is possible to pursue an international focus within the framework of the Bachelor’s thesis.

Optional semester abroad

Our cooperation with a large number of excellent partner universities worldwide offers you attractive opportunities for your interdisciplinary semester abroad.

Prof. Dr Stephanie Stock

The aim of health economics is to improve the quality, patient-centredness and cost-effectiveness of health care.

Prof. Dr Stephanie Stock, Professor and Acting Head of the Institute for Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Cologne

Career opportunities

In terms of career prospects, Cologne is a very attractive location for students of health economics. Many hospitals, well-known pharmaceutical companies, insurance and consulting institutions are located in Cologne and the surrounding area. We help you to get in touch with our partners, even before completing your studies.

With the completion of the interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree in Health Economics, you will be prepared for a job in public or private healthcare institutions. Your work will include tasks in the field of management, administration, or associations as well as health policy institutions. Further career prospects for graduates of this interdisciplinary degree programme are workings in academic teaching as well as in health policy research.

Health Care Manager Track

Exemplary areas for job opportunities are:

  • Controller in a hospital
  • Assistant to the hospital board
  • (Corporate) Consultant
  • Project Manager of healthcare providers
  • Quality Manager

Health Care Analyst Track

Exemplary areas for job opportunities are:

  • Consultant
  • Data Analyst
  • Analyst for the healthcare system
  • Health Economist
  • Market Access Manager for Pharmaceuticals
  • Pharmaceutical Researcher

Health Care Manager Track

Pit Zimmermann

Through my studies at the University of Cologne with the focal points Corporate Finance and Management in the Health Care Sector, I enjoyed a profound education from which I still benefit today. Already during my final thesis on the topic "Management Structures of Hospital Management" I was able to make first contacts with my current colleagues. My solids theoretical knowledge, which I acquired during my studies, was the basis on which I could continuously build upon.

Pit Zimmermann, Managing Director, St. Vinzenz-Hospital, Academic teaching hospital of the University of Cologne and alumnus of the WiSo Faculty

Health Care Analyst Track

Sandra Sülz

While studying health economics in Cologne, I really liked the close connection to research. This inspired me to complete my doctoral studies and work in an international academic environment.

Sandra Sülz, Assistant Professor, Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Health Services Management & Organisation (HSMO) and alumna of the WiSo Faculty
Application information

We are looking forward to your application!

Detailed information and contact

We are happy to support you in your ambitions:

Beratungssituation: Dialog im WiSo Student Service Point

If you are interested in or have questions about our WiSo degree programmes, the advisors at the WiSo Student Service Point will be happy to help.