Health Policy and Systems Analysis (HPSA)

Health systems are shaped by feedback, delays, competing incentives, and the interaction of multiple actors across sectors. Yet, most approaches to health policy analysis treat systems as if they were linear, predictable and politically neutral.

This short course equips professionals with a different way of seeing: systems thinking as an analytical practice for understanding why health systems behave the way they do, how power and intersecting inequalities shape whose needs are met and whose are not, why well-intentioned interventions often produce unintended consequences, and where the most effective points of leverage lie.

With systems thinking as the analytical backbone, this postgraduate course introduces core health systems and policy concepts, providing participants with the tools to challenge how systems are designed – and for whom. Crucial topics, from financing to governance to programme evaluation, are examined through systems concepts, with particular attention to health equity and the political economy of health systems. It draws on a plurality of epistemological traditions, in other words, recognising that what we see in a system – and what we miss – is shaped by subjective viewpoints.

Sessions are led by an international, multi-disciplinary faculty bringing different experiences and disciplinary perspectives directly into the classroom. Participants come from diverse professional backgrounds, bringing contextual knowledge that broadens and deepens the collective understanding of health systems.
 

The Health Policy and Systems Analysis course is one of our Management Courses that can be taken as stand-alone courses or combined to achieve the MBA in International Health Management.

The course consists of 3 phases combining blended and hybrid learning formats, offering the benefits of both self-paced learning and synchronous real-time interaction.

Phase 1: Preparation

During the preparation phase, participants familiarise themselves with the course topic by studying materials and completing assignments under the guidance of the facilitators.

→ Self-paced distance learning and an introductory online session

→ 4 weeks part-time

→ Approx.60 hours of student investment

Phase 2: Hybrid Core Week

During the core week, participants engage in five days of intensive discussions, reflection exercises, case studies, group work, quizzes and presentations, either on-site at the Swiss TPH headquarters in Allschwil, Switzerland, or online. Active participation (online or on-site) is expected throughout the week. 

→ On-site in Allschwil or online

→ 5 days full-time

→ Approx. 40 hours of student investment

Typically, there are two core weeks with two courses back-to-back to allow participants from abroad to attend two courses on one flight.

Phase 3: Final Assignment

In the post phase, participants consolidate their learning through the development of a final assignment, such as essays, project outlines, presentations or online quizzes, supported by the course facilitators.

→ Distance-based and mostly self-paced

→ 6 weeks part-time

→ Approx. 80 hours of student investment

At the end of this course, participants will understand health systems as dynamic, feedback-driven structures, be able to identify feedback loops, recognise delays and nonlinear responses, and use systems thinking tools to frame policy problems and evaluate interventions. They will be equipped to analyse how power, intersecting inequalities, and political economy shape health system performance and health equity, and to critically assess health systems research and its application to health policy and global public health goals. Participants will leave with tools and an analytical vocabulary they can apply directly in their professional context, be that in policy design, programme planning, organisational strategy, research, or advocacy.
 

Participants are assessed during both, the distance-based and on-campus phases of the courses, through individual and team assignments, professional presentations, quizzes or short tests, reflective papers and proposed projects.
 

This course is designed for professionals working in public health or with health systems who want to strengthen their analytical capacity for understanding system behaviour, anticipating the effects of policy decisions, and designing more effective and equitable interventions.

No prior experience with systems thinking methods is required. the course builds from foundations, drawing on the contextual knowledge participants bring from their own practice.

Participants typically come from diverse backgrounds, including:

• Policy makers and ministry of health staff 
• International organisation and multilateral agency professionals 
• Civil society and advocacy professionals 
• Private sector professionals, including from the pharmaceutical and health technology industries
• Programme managers and project leads 
• Researchers and academics 

The course also welcomes professionals from adjacent sectors such as urban planning, environment, education, and social policy who work at the intersection of their field and health. 
 

To enrol, you need a bachelor's degree and at least two years' relevant work experience, as well as a passion for global and public health. As all management courses are taught in English, strong oral and written English skills are also required.

To process your application for our Health Policy and Systems Analysis course, you must both complete the online application form and pay an application fee of CHF 100 (by credit card) via this link. The application fee is non-refundable and will be deducted from the course fee.

In order to attend the course, the fee must be paid before the course starts.

Course fee: CHF 3,450 (incl. application fee)
Reduced course fee for MBA IHM students*: CHF 2,950

* The same fee applies to tropEd students and students enrolled in an SSPH+ professional postgraduate Master's or PhD programme.

Course fees must be paid one week before the start of the preparation phase. Tuition fees do not cover insurance, travel or personal living expenses incurred during your stay in Basel.

Please note that cancellations for any reason after the start of the preparation phase (Phase 1) are subject to a cancellation fee of CHF 500. Cancellations received less than two days prior to the start of the core week (Phase 2) will be charged the full course fee.

Swiss TPH and the University of Basel do not offer scholarships for management courses.

Disclaimer: In the event of an insufficient number of participants, the course may be cancelled up to 4 weeks prior to the start of the course. Swiss TPH is not responsible for any costs related to flight bookings, etc.