Leadership in Healthcare

Module Aims
To explore and understand the complexities of applying leadership theories in ‘real world’ healthcare settings.

Module Content
Students will learn and understand why leaders are important and what is the difference between leadership and management, as well as understanding the varying aspects of leadership theory (authentic, charismatic, collective, leader/follower etc.) Is leadership about the individual or the social relationships? What do followers potentially admire in a person taking on the role of leadership? What is power and how does power affect the dynamics of leadership? In addition to this, a unique feature of this module will be to understand the value of ethics in organisations.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically appraise and systematically examine ‘what is leadership’ and consider its value in complex healthcare organisational structures.
2. Critically explore relevant leadership theories in line with understanding ‘followers’ to improve the healthcare organisational environment, taking into account the complexity of interacting social factors.

Module Aims
The aim of this module is to explore how leaders can develop and improve healthcare services by recognising and harnessing human potential.

Module Content
This module combines different inspiring and motivational techniques and tools. These interventions can be used by leaders to inspire the followers and employees in the organisation. The module will help students appreciate the value of understanding the psychology of employees and how it can be improved.

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise the dynamics of effective teams and how to better enhance the healthcare working environment by exploring organisational culture, and engaging individuals to work collaboratively (integrated teams).
2. Critically explore the elements of building a high performing team in your own healthcare setting, including the importance of common purpose, trust and values.

Module Aims
To apply the theory and practice of Clinical Governance, Quality Improvement and patient safety to complex healthcare settings.

Module Content
This module is aimed at giving the students some theoretical and practical knowledge, likely to be involved in improving patient safety, delivery of quality healthcare and its association with legal aspects. Students will be able to understand the corporate aspects associated with leadership and governance.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically appraise the role of clinical governance in improving healthcare organisations.
2. Systematically navigate the complexities of implementing clinical governance and quality agendas in achieving high quality care and patient safety.

Module Aims
The aim of the module is to examine a variety of individual career development tools and evaluate their role in contributing to overall personal and organisational development.

Module Content
This module covers the practical aspects and topics related to inspiring and motivating the employees. This module covers the practical aspects and will help future leaders in healthcare to understand the practical interventions they apply to get more out of the employees and improve the organisation as a whole.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse the role of career development tools in complex healthcare organisations.
2. Critically appraise the elements of mentoring and coaching and effectively consider ‘wellbeing’ in complex healthcare situations.

Module Aims
To develop high level skills in understanding the value of strategy and innovation for leaders in healthcare organisations.

Module Content
This module will help students to learn different aspects of strategy and innovation. Students will learn theory and practical aspects, with aim to bring a positive change in the working environment in the organisation. Combining strategy and innovation in one module is aimed at creating theoretical and philosophical connection between different aspects of these two, largely, conceptual modalities.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse the role of strategy in achieving aims and objectives within complex healthcare organisations.
2. Critically evaluate the means of developing a culture of innovation to build effective healthcare organisations for the future.

Module Aims
To develop adaptable leadership skills to proactively lead sustained change within complex healthcare organisational structures.

Module Content
This module combines all the knowledge of previous 5-modules to deliver the most important outcome: “The Change”. Students will be able to understand the difference between Change Leadership and Change Management. Also, what are the resistors to change? What techniques and/or approaches can help guide change?

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse a range of change models and theories, synthesising and selecting appropriate models for a diverse range of situations.
2. Critically apply appropriate leadership in implementing change, taking into account the ‘problem’ being addressed, organisational culture, and personal responses to change.

Module Aims
This module is designed to help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to leadership research.

Module Content

• Concepts and Measurement
• Literature Review
• Data Collection Techniques
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Methods
• Data Analysis - Qualitative
• Data Analysis - Quantitative
• Philosophy and Ethics of Research

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse and interpret research to assess its application to leadership and management related to healthcare settings.
2. Select and apply different methodological approaches and tools to answer research questions in healthcare leadership and service development.

Module Aims

• To develop an ability to critically evaluate areas of professional practice.
• To critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and organisational practice.
• To develop skills in independent research and study.
• To develop skills relevant to scientific publications.

Module Content
The module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student's practice. This project may comprise:

• Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
• Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.
• Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
• Case-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.

Learning Outcomes

1. Design and undertake research relating to Leadership in Healthcare to produce an extensive piece of literature which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
2. Critically evaluate practice/health service delivery and suggest improvements for change.

As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.

Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.

Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.

When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.

You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.

You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.

The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.

We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.

Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.

Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.

All of our courses are delivered in English, so proficiency in the English language is essential for success. If English is not your first language, we require proof of competency as part of your application. We accept the following as proof of English Language skills:

We Accept a Range of English Language Qualifications
While IELTS and TOEFL are among the most commonly used English tests, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds — and we’re happy to work with you to accept a wide range of other recognised English language qualifications.

We accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Our most commonly accepted test, IELTS is globally recognised and widely used for university admissions.

We accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another widely accepted test, TOEFL assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an academic setting.

We accept English Medium of Instruction (EMI) Letters
Many of our international students provide an EMI (English Medium Instruction) letter from their previous institution. This letter should confirm that you were taught in the medium of English. It is a popular and widely accepted form of proof, especially if you have completed prior academic studies in English.

Our University partners Requirements
The University of South Wales accepts an overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 for each band) and The University of Buckingham accepts an overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 for each band).

Our Flexible Instalment Plan is designed to offer ultimate flexibility to pay for your programme. You have the choice of two payment options:

Make an Upfront Payment in Full: For those who prefer to settle their fees upfront, you can pay the full amount at the beginning of your programme.

Interest-Free Payments: Alternatively, you can choose to spread your payments out with interest-free instalments every month for the duration of your course.

These options are separate from our existing lending partners, which you can explore further on our programme pages. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and our Flexible Instalment Plan is just one of the ways we are committed to supporting you in your academic journey.

We currently offer two discounts: the Early Bird Discount and the Action Taker Discount. The Early Bird discount allows you to save up to £500 or more, available only to self-funders and is a limited-time offer that runs for the entirety of November for the March cohort or the entirety of May for the September cohort. Our Action Taker Discount allows you to save up to £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify for Action Takers, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance.

For Early Bird Discounts, the discount is visible if your application and acceptance are completed within the required timeframe. For Action Taker Discounts, it will reflect once conditions are met.

An MSc in Leadership in Healthcare combines advanced study of healthcare leadership and management with an independent master's-level Professional Project, supporting strategic leadership and organisational improvement.

Yes. The programme is validated by the University of South Wales, accredited for CPD by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom (FRCP UK), and accredited by the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM).

Yes. The programme is delivered through Tutor-led, flexible online learning, allowing you to study alongside your professional and personal commitments from anywhere in the world.