Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

Overview

The study of economic issues regarding the provision of, and demand for, health and education services.

After social welfare, health and education are the largest areas of government spending in most modern economies, including New Zealand. Together, health and education account for about 13% of New Zealand's gross domestic product (GDP). This paper is about the economic analysis of the health and education sectors, including government policy. Theoretical foundations and techniques of economic evaluation and decision making are also covered (useful in a wide variety of jobs when you graduate). ECON 306 is a great opportunity to apply a wide range of microeconomic concepts and techniques (e.g. some covered in ECON 201) to important real-world issues, such as healthcare rationing, priority setting, the 'value of life' and 'user-pays' (i.e. student fees and student loans) in education.

About this paper

Paper title Economics of Health and Education
Subject Economics
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,053.30
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
ECON 201 or ECON 271
Schedule C
Arts and Music, Commerce, Science
Contact

economics@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Austin Henderson

Textbooks

An up-to-date course book comprising a specially-selected collection of readings from textbooks, The Economist magazine and other sources will be available on eReserve.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will:

  1. Be able to apply the microeconomic tools and concepts introduced in first and second year Economics courses to the topics of health and education, including contemporary policy issues
  2. Be introduced to new microeconomics tools and concepts, as required
  3. Be equipped with the skills to be able to understand and critique economic evaluations of health care programmes and to be able to apply these skills more generally (i.e. to any economic project appraisal)
  4. Be encouraged to develop analytical and decision-making skills, including modest technical and quantitative proficiencies

Timetable

Semester 2

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught On Campus
Learning management system
Aoroa

Lecture

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
A1 Wednesday 08:00-08:50 29-35, 37-42
Thursday 17:00-17:50 29-35, 37-42
Friday 13:00-13:50 29-34, 37-42

Tutorial

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend one stream from
A1 Friday 10:00-10:50 30, 32, 34, 37, 39, 41
A2 Monday 10:00-10:50 30, 32, 34, 37, 39, 41

Terms Test (Streamed)

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
1 Friday 13:00-13:50 35

Overview

The study of economic issues regarding the provision of, and demand for, health and education services.

After social welfare, health and education are the largest areas of government spending in most modern economies, including New Zealand. Together, health and education account for about 13% of New Zealand's gross domestic product (GDP). This paper is about the economic analysis of the health and education sectors, including government policy. Theoretical foundations and techniques of economic evaluation and decision making are also covered (useful in a wide variety of jobs when you graduate).

ECON 306 is a great opportunity to apply a wide range of microeconomic concepts and techniques (e.g., some covered in ECON 201) to important real-world issues, such as healthcare rationing, priority setting, the "value of life" and "user-pays" (i.e. student fees and student loans) in education.

About this paper

Paper title Economics of Health and Education
Subject Economics
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
ECON 201 or ECON 271
Schedule C
Arts and Music, Commerce, Science
Contact

economics@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Dr Austin Henderson

Textbooks

An up-to-date course book comprising a specially-selected collection of readings from textbooks, The Economist magazine and other sources will be available on eReserve.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will:

  1. Be able to apply the microeconomic tools and concepts introduced in first and second year Economics courses to the topics of health and education, including contemporary policy issues
  2. Be introduced to new microeconomics tools and concepts, as required
  3. Be equipped with the skills to be able to understand and critique economic evaluations of health care programmes and to be able to apply these skills more generally (i.e. to any economic project appraisal)
  4. Be encouraged to develop analytical and decision-making skills, including modest technical and quantitative proficiencies

Timetable

Semester 2

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught On Campus
Learning management system
Aoroa

Lecture

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
A1 Monday 11:00-11:50 28-34, 37-41
Tuesday 15:00-15:50 28-34, 37-41
Thursday 10:00-10:50 28-34, 37-41

Tutorial

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend one stream from
A1 Thursday 12:00-12:50 29, 31, 33, 38, 40
A2 Tuesday 12:00-12:50 29, 31, 33, 38, 40
Back to top