Health Economics and Big Data Analytics Major ENG

Health Economics and Big Data Analytics (HEBDA) is a cutting-edge master’s program that combines health economics with data science to prepare you for the rapidly evolving digital healthcare sector. This unique interdisciplinary major equips students to analyze healthcare challenges from both an economic and a data-driven perspective. By integrating rigorous health economics training with hands-on big data analytics, HEBDA empowers you to drive smarter decisions in hospitals, public health agencies, biotech companies, and beyond. The result is a skill set tailored to the future of healthcare – a future where understanding both the financial and data aspects of health is crucial.

Global demand has never been higher for professionals who can bridge the gap between health economics and data analytics. Healthcare systems worldwide are seeking experts who understand economic policy and can harness data to improve care. For example, the demand for health economists in the UK has grown by 22% over the past five years (Health Economics for Hospital Admin Certificate), reflecting a need for specialists who can navigate complex healthcare finances. At the same time, data science skills are at a premium – data scientist jobs are projected to grow 36% from 2023 to 2033 in the United States (10 Data Science Jobs That Are in Demand – Dataquest), far outpacing the average for all occupations. HEBDA graduates will possess this rare dual expertise. 

You’ll be able to evaluate cost-effectiveness and policy impacts and perform advanced analytics on health datasets – a combination highly sought after in today’s job market. 

In short, choosing HEBDA means positioning yourself at the forefront of two in-demand fields, opening doors to careers in healthcare consulting, health tech, government, and international organizations.

Healthcare today faces complex challenges that require innovative solutions. Populations are aging rapidly – by 2030, one in six people in the world will be over 60 years old (Ageing and health) – which means greater demand for healthcare services and wise resource allocation. Yet health systems are grappling with workforce shortages; WHO projects a shortfall of about 11 million health workers by 2030 (Health workforce). Meanwhile, healthcare expenditures continue to rise steeply. In 2021, global health spending reached a staggering $9.8 trillion (about 10% of the world’s GDP) (Health spending takes up 10% of global GDP. Can tech reduce those costs – and improve lives? | World Economic Forum), putting pressure on governments and insurers to get the best value for every healthcare dollar. This is where HEBDA’s focus becomes invaluable: the program trains you to apply economic principles and data analytics to make healthcare more efficient, effective, and equitable. 

You will learn how to perform cost-benefit analyses of health policies, forecast needs based on demographic trends, and devise data-backed strategies to optimize limited resources. By understanding both the economics and the data, you can help healthcare organizations do more with less – an essential skill as global health needs grow.

(RBC Capital Markets | Navigating the Changing Face of Healthcare Episode) Healthcare data’s growth rate (36% CAGR) from 2018–2025 outpaces other industries like manufacturing or finance, underscoring the sector’s big data explosion. Healthcare is in the midst of a data revolution. Hospitals, clinics, and research institutions are generating massive amounts of data – in fact, roughly 30% of the world’s data volume comes from the healthcare industry, and it’s growing about 36% per year (RBC Capital Markets | Navigating the Changing Face of Healthcare Episode), faster than any other sector. This explosion of big data, alongside rapid advances in AI and machine learning, is transforming how we prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Digital health tools such as electronic health records, wearable sensors, and AI-driven apps are becoming commonplace. 

The global digital health market (telemedicine, health apps, data platforms, etc.) was estimated at $288 billion in 2023 and is projected to soar to over $900 billion by 2030 (Digital Health Global Business Report 2023-2030: Startups), reflecting how quickly healthcare is embracing technology. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend – it spurred a major shift toward remote care and telemedicine (Digital Health Global Business Report 2023-2030: Startups), leading to greater investment and adoption of virtual health services. In the HEBDA program, you will explore how to leverage these big data and digital health innovations. Through coursework and projects, you’ll learn to analyze large healthcare datasets to uncover trends, use statistical and machine learning techniques to inform clinical or policy decisions, and evaluate how digital health interventions can improve patient outcomes while controlling costs. By mastering big data analytics in a health context, you’ll be ready to shape the next generation of healthcare solutions.

The HEBDA master’s program is designed for both Polish and international students, reflecting the global nature of today’s healthcare challenges. All coursework emphasizes real-world applicability – you won’t just learn theory, you’ll apply it to case studies and live data from healthcare systems around the world. For example, you might analyze hospital cost data to find efficiency improvements, assess the economic impact of an aging population in a European country, or develop a predictive model for patient outcomes using public health datasets. Throughout the program, you’ll gain experience with the tools and methods used by professional health economists and data scientists: statistical software, programming for data analysis, economic modeling techniques, and data visualization, to name a few. This practical approach means that upon graduation, you can step directly into roles where you make data-driven decisions on health policy, strategy, or innovation. Moreover, the international scope of HEBDA ensures you develop a broad perspective. You’ll study healthcare models from different countries and understand how digital health is adopted in various markets, preparing you to work wherever opportunities arise. The diverse cohort of Polish and international students also creates a rich learning environment – you’ll collaborate and network with peers who offer global insights and cultural perspectives. In an increasingly interconnected healthcare industry, this international outlook is a huge advantage. HEBDA’s value lies in producing graduates who are not only technically skilled but also globally aware, capable of leading in any health system.

🌍 Global Perspective for a Global Challenge Designed for both Polish and international students, HEBDA reflects the international nature of today’s healthcare needs and digital health trends.

📊 Real-World, Data-Driven Learning Learn by doing: analyze real hospital cost data, evaluate the economics of aging, and build predictive models with live public health datasets.

🔬 Innovative, Patient-Centered Curriculum The program is structured around the needs of key healthcare stakeholders – patients, payers, providers, pharmaceutical and medical device industries – for a truly 360° perspective.

📈 Cutting-Edge Big Data & Predictive Modelling Focus on advanced data science applications in healthcare, including predictive analytics to support evidence-based decision-making in digital health.

🏆 Recognized and Award-Winning HEBDA was awarded the highest number of points in its category under the Operational Program Knowledge Education Development (Measure 3.1), confirming its academic and practical excellence.

👥 Strong Industry & Academic Partnerships The first edition brought together 30 students and 12 strategic partners, including organizations from healthcare, pharma, and tech sectors, creating direct pathways to internships and employment.

During the establishment of the program, the following partners were included as part of its corporate and public advisory board, so students can be sure that the courses and curriculum prepared meet national and global standards.

• You hold a bachelor’s degree and are passionate about data science and its impact on healthcare
• You’re comfortable with mathematics and statistics
• You’re curious about economics, especially in the context of health
• You want to apply big data to solve real-world problems in healthcare systems

• Core knowledge of health economics and data science
• Practical experience in predictive modelling, decision algorithms, and big data analysis
• Tools to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and value of health technologies
• Skills to interpret healthcare regulations and assess innovation profitability
• Insights into how health policies impact systems at national and international levels
• Ability to analyze data across pharma, medical devices, digital health, and insurance sectors

• Health Economics Advisor
• Health Data Scientist
• Market Access Manager
• Health Outcomes or Clinical Consultant
• Health Economics & Value Strategy Specialist

• Join HEBDA and turn your ambition into real-world impact. This unique master’s program equips you with 21st-century skills in health economics and big data analytics – exactly what the future of healthcare demands.
• Learn from top experts, work on real-life projects, and graduate with a degree that sets you apart in a growing global field.
• 🚨 Limited spots available – the program launches with a minimum of 17 students, so secure yours early!
• 👤 Get to know the program leader and see how HEBDA can accelerate your career in digital health.
• Your future starts now. Be part of the change.

Students have access to multiple study resources allowing them to collect all the necessary information for solving practical business problems as well as to dwell into academic science:

• Real world data containing healthcare resources consumption
• statistical and analytical software, as well as interpreted programming language, necessary to create, manage and integrate databases and perform statistical analysis.
• KU library resources, including access to the international scientific journal "Value in Health".
• Anonymized Real World Evidence data on large scale populations informing about patient pathways and treatment patterns (IQVIA databases)

COURSES ON THE HEBDA MAJOR

• Health Economics
• Introduction to Health Tecgnology Assessment
• Models of Healthcare Financing
• Methodology of Economic Modelling in Healthcare
• Big Data in Health Economics
• Advanced Statistical Methods for Real World Data Analysis

• Full-time programs

Classes take place from Monday to Friday in the morning and in the afternoon.