Supporting the next generation of African leaders in Health Economics.
Building local capacity
Across Africa, governments face difficult and complex decisions about how to allocate limited healthcare budgets.
Health economics expertise can provide much needed evidence to guide the choices made on where budgets are spent. The dramatic and rapid change to the funding landscape in recent years means that local health economics expertise is needed more than ever before.
The Gap in Health Economics Expertise
However, there are very few trained health economists working within African ministries of health, and postgraduate training opportunities across the continent remain scarce. Many aspiring health economists must travel abroad for training - an option that is often prohibitively expensive and disruptive for students’ families and careers.
The Thanzi Studentships Programme offers a practical solution: tuition fee waivers to undertake the part-time Health Economics Distance Learning (HEDL) programme - for individuals currently working on health-economics related issues for ministries of health or public universities. The course can be completed remotely and it is designed to be completed on a part-time basis; enabling students to gain their MSc qualification without interrupting their career.
I have been able to support various departments in the Ministry of Health to cost their policies or implementation strategies without having to engage external consultants in a resource constrained setting, while also building capacity of other MOH officials to do the same.
Real‑World Impact: Strengthening Health Systems from Within
500+
applications
17
active students
11
African countries
The HEDL programme
Distance Learning
No need to relocate, reducing barriers to study (particularly for those with caring responsibilities).
Direct Application
Students remain in their roles at ministries of health or universities, applying their learning in real-time.
York Excellence
Students receive world‑class teaching from a programme with more than two decades of excellence in distance‑learning health economics education.
Skills Retention
Reduced risk of students not returning to their home countries.
The Thanzi programme has not only supported my academic growth but also connected me with a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to improving health outcomes.
This setup has given me ample opportunity to immediately apply the concepts I learn in real-time within the Ministry, making the learning both practical and impactful.
This studentship will empower me to contribute meaningfully to the equitable and efficient allocation of health resources, ultimately improving population health outcomes across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Invest in the Future: Your Role in the Thanzi Studentships
Demand for the Thanzi Studentships is high, with over 500 applications for the limited places available. To meet this urgent need and continue supporting the next generation of African health leaders, we must secure new funding.
By supporting the Thanzi Studentships, you can:
- Build long‑term health economics capacity within ministries, universities, and research organisations
- Strengthen evidence‑based decision‑making in African health systems
- Empower African experts to lead future research that is commissioned and conducted by African research communities
I have a daughter ... she needs to know that there are no limits ... you can be a mum, take care of your children, but also you can still study and build up your career.
How You Can Help
Sponsor a Studentship
A full gift of £27,744* supports one scholar through the entire programme.
Partner With Us
Foundations, corporations, and institutional partners can fund cohorts, or long‑term capacity‑strengthening initiatives.
Spread the Word
Let us know of potential funding avenues to explore.
£27,744 per student
Each 3‑year studentship covers tuition fees and access to a wide range of online study resources and facilities.
* Subject to annual inflationary increases.