Corvinus University of Budapest

What you'll study

This graduate diploma delivers a multidisciplinary curriculum bridging pharmaceutical sciences and economic analysis. The programme typically covers foundational and applied topics including:

• Health Economics and Outcomes Research: cost-effectiveness analysis, modelling methods, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and economic evaluation techniques used in healthcare decision-making.
• Pharmacoeconomics: methods for assessing the value of medicines, design and interpretation of pharmacoeconomic studies, and real-world evidence generation.
• Market Access and Reimbursement: pricing strategies, reimbursement pathways, payer landscape, and dossier development for national and regional reimbursement submissions.
• Health Technology Assessment (HTA): principles and processes of HTA, critical appraisal of clinical and economic evidence, and stakeholder engagement.
• Regulatory and Legal Environment: overview of pharmaceutical regulation, post-marketing surveillance, intellectual property and compliance considerations affecting market entry.
• Biostatistics and Pharmacoepidemiology: basic statistical methods, study design, observational data analysis and interpretation of safety and effectiveness data.
• Pharmaceutical Business and Strategy: commercial strategy, product life-cycle management, marketing and sales alignment with payer requirements.
• Practicum or Applied Project: a capstone project or industry-linked case study that applies economic methods to a real-world pharmaceutical policy, reimbursement or market access problem.

Course delivery combines lectures, case studies, quantitative workshops and guest seminars from industry and regulatory experts. Assessment is commonly by written assignments, project reports and presentations.

Entry requirements

Prospective students are normally expected to hold a relevant undergraduate degree such as pharmacy, health sciences, economics, public health or a related discipline. Applicants with substantial professional experience in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare provision or health policy may also be considered.

• Academic transcripts: evidence of a completed bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Language proficiency: proof of proficiency in the language of instruction (English or Hungarian), where applicable.
• Supporting documents: curriculum vitae, a personal statement outlining motivation and relevant experience, and references or recommendation letters.
• Interview or portfolio: some applicants may be invited for an interview or asked to submit a short project or portfolio, particularly if seeking recognition for professional experience.

Specific entry conditions may vary; applicants should consult the university’s admissions information for the exact requirements for their chosen language of instruction and mode of study.

Career prospects

Graduates are equipped to work at the interface of clinical science and economics. Typical career paths include:

• Market access and pricing specialist roles within pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• Health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) analyst or manager positions
• Positions in regulatory affairs, reimbursement agencies and national health authorities
• Consulting roles with firms specialising in health policy, HTA and market access strategy
• Data analysis and pharmacoepidemiology roles in academic research institutions, CROs and public health organisations
• Commercial strategy and product management roles where economic evidence informs launch and life‑cycle decisions

The practical, applied focus of the programme helps graduates demonstrate the skills employers seek in dossier preparation, economic modelling, stakeholder engagement and evidence communication.

Why study at Corvinus University of Budapest

Corvinus brings a strong economic and management tradition to the study of pharmaceutical economics, offering an environment where economic analysis, policy and business strategy converge. The university emphasises multidisciplinary teaching and frequently involves practitioners from industry, health agencies and consulting firms to ensure course content remains practice‑oriented.

Located in Budapest, Corvinus offers close proximity to Central European pharmaceutical companies, regional regulatory bodies and international research centres, providing networking and internship opportunities. Students benefit from experienced faculty who combine academic expertise with industry backgrounds, access to case studies drawn from regional healthcare systems, and career services that support transition into market access, HEOR and regulatory roles.