Master of Science in Healthcare Management and Leadership

Study location	100% Online
Type	Postgraduate, Online
Nominal duration	2 years (180 Credits)
Study language	English
Awards	(Master of Science in Healthcare Management and Leadership)

Tuition fee	£7,950 per programme

Entry qualification

2:2 honours degree (or higher) To be considered for the MSc Healthcare Management and Leadership (online) programme, you will need an honours degree (minimum 2:2) or equivalent. If you do not meet the above requirements but have a minimum of 12-months relevant professional experience and/or equivalent qualifications, we recommend that you apply. All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Required for your application: We normally require a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or equivalent. Personal identification documents, e.g., passport or other I.D. A personal statement (300-500 words) and/or video presentation (4-5 minutes) about why you want to study this programme. Proof of English (POE) language proficiency where applicable. A CV/Resume or LinkedIn profile are required for applicants who do not meet the Academic requirements above. The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

Language requirements

English International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with no component below 5.5 (or approved equivalent*). *The university accepts a large number of UK and International qualifications in place of IELTS. To find details of acceptable tests and the required grades, please visit our English Language Requirements pages. Read more on the English Language Requirements pages. A Proof of English Language Proficiency (POE) exemption may be offered to you if you meet one of the following criteria: Completed at least 3 years of high school in an English-speaking country. Completed an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in English. Completed an IB diploma in a different language if they obtained a grade of 5 or higher for one of the English courses. Completed a higher educational or professional qualification in English. Working in an English-speaking environment and demonstrably working in English.

Other requirements

A motivation letter must be added to your application. We want to ensure that the course will suit your needs, so we pay especially close attention to the Personal Statement which forms part of your application to the University. Please take particular care over this statement. In a 300–500 word statement or a 4–5 minute video, you should explain: Why you’re interested in a career in health and/or social care What personal attributes and experience you have which make you suited to healthcare management and leadership An overview of your intended career path in healthcare management Wherever possible, your statement should draw on relevant personal experience. When describing the personal attributes and qualities which you believe equip you for a career in healthcare leadership, try to give actual, brief examples from your experience where you displayed those attributes and qualities.

Overview

Caring for people. Leading for change.

Designed for current and aspiring healthcare leaders and managers, this flexible, fully online MSc equips professionals from all backgrounds with the skills to manage teams, drive transformation, and shape the future of health and social care.

What this programme offers you

Delivered fully online and part-time, the MSc offers maximum flexibility alongside a rigorous academic experience. You’ll gain insight into how healthcare systems function – and how to improve them – through modules focused on strategic leadership, innovation, team dynamics, and global health policy.

You’ll explore topics such as Leading Self and Others, Managing Projects and Resources in Health and Social Care, and Global Perspectives on Healthcare Policy and Practice. The final project enables you to apply your learning directly to a real-world healthcare challenge, supported by experienced supervisors.

Throughout your journey, you’ll collaborate with peers across health and social care sectors worldwide, engaging in case studies and online discussions that mirror the real-world complexity of healthcare leadership.

Educational Aims

• Build essential leadership capabilities: Strengthen your ability to lead change, manage teams, and drive healthcare innovation.
• Develop strategic thinking: Learn to evaluate and influence healthcare policy and operations in diverse global contexts.
• Apply evidence-based approaches: Gain experience with real-world healthcare management projects and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support your career development: Advance in your existing role or transition into senior healthcare leadership positions with confidence.

Teaching and learning methods

• Learn through real-world cases: Apply your knowledge to current and emerging industry scenarios using practical case studies.
• Interactive, flexible delivery: Engage with recorded lectures, digital activities, quizzes and discussion forums designed for online learners.
• Industry-driven curriculum: The content is shaped by current academic research and developed in consultation with industry leaders.
• Inclusive and supportive: You’ll benefit from formative feedback, academic guidance, and pastoral support from a dedicated online student support team.

Programme structure

Explore the in-demand skills you’ll develop through modules on leadership, transformation, healthcare policy, and innovation.

The programme has a total of 180 credits. You take eight core modules; each is worth 15 credits and is an average of eight weeks in duration. Your journey culminates with your 60 credit Evidencing Work-Based Learning in Healthcare project.

Core modules

Leading Self and Others (15 credits)

Develop advanced leadership skills through self-reflection and critical assessment of your personal style. This module explores resilience, integrity, and interpersonal communication, helping you grow as a confident, self-aware leader who can motivate and support others effectively in complex health and social care environments.

Managing Inclusive Teams and Organisations (15 credits)

Learn how to lead diverse, high-performing teams and foster inclusive organisational cultures. This module equips you with strategies to address systemic barriers to inclusion, implement effective policies, and reflect critically on your personal growth and professional commitment to equity in healthcare leadership.

Leading Transformation and Change in Complex Health Systems (15 credits)

Explore the challenges of leading change in dynamic health and social care settings. This module combines critical perspectives on leadership, politics, power, and identity to help you design, evaluate, and lead sustainable change initiatives across complex, interdependent systems of care and public health.

Global Perspectives on Healthcare Policy and Practice (15 credits)

Examine international healthcare systems and global health challenges. This module offers insights into accessibility, equity, and cost in policy-making, encouraging students to assess the transferability of global strategies to their own healthcare contexts and enhance leadership through a cross-cultural lens.

Managing Projects and Resources in Health and Social Care (15 credits)

Gain practical and strategic skills in project and resource management tailored to health and social care settings. This module covers project lifecycles, stakeholder engagement, risk mitigation, and quality delivery—helping you plan and lead effective, evidence-based service improvement initiatives.

Innovation and Quality Improvement (15 credits)

Explore quality improvement frameworks, performance measurement tools, and real-world innovation in healthcare. This module focuses on patient safety, service enhancement, and applying global perspectives to identify and evaluate strategies that improve outcomes and enhance experiences for service users.

Strategic Decision-Making and Stakeholder Engagement (15 credits)

Master strategic decision-making and ethical leadership in health and social care. This module equips you with tools to analyse complex challenges, develop strategic plans, and engage diverse stakeholders through evidence-based reasoning, negotiation, and communication, both in UK and international healthcare contexts.

Contemporary Issues and Debates in Health and Social Care (15 credits)

Engage critically with today’s most urgent healthcare challenges—from workforce wellbeing to health equity and digital innovation. Through real-world debates and policy analysis, this module strengthens your ability to propose informed, ethical responses to pressing leadership and service dilemmas.

Final Project: Evidencing Work-Based Learning in Healthcare (60 credits)

Conduct a substantial independent research project on a healthcare leadership or management issue of your choice. This module strengthens your ability to design ethical research, analyse data, and draw evidence-based conclusions that directly inform your professional practice and leadership impact.