Leadership in Healthcare MSc
Validated by University of South Wales
As you progress your career in healthcare, our 2 year online master’s in healthcare leadership will provide you with essential leadership skills and prepare you to step into management and leadership roles with confidence.
We aim to produce strong, competent leaders with a sound understanding of the organisational environment and the ability to face and address the many challenges of complex healthcare settings. Our MSc in healthcare leadership examines various leadership styles and theories, allowing you to cultivate your own leadership style. You’ll learn to lead diverse teams effectively, taking important ethical considerations into account.
Undertaking your own research in healthcare leadership in year 2 will enable you to critically assess, evaluate and disseminate evidence-based information in relation to leadership and management scenarios, and apply your findings to improve healthcare services.
Next intake: March 2025Key Facts
Our MSc Leadership in Healthcare is continuously updated with the latest research, ensuring you stay at the forefront of industry developments and trends. By integrating a scenario-based learning model, we blend theory with practical application, enabling you to immediately utilise essential leadership skills in your professional practice during your studies.
The online format of our MSc healthcare leadership supports distance learning and offers you the flexibility to balance full-time work with part-time study, accessible from anywhere at any time. You will be required to log in daily to engage with learning materials in our academic forum, where you will be supported by expert tutors with a wealth of experience in healthcare leadership.
On completion of this executive master’s in medical leadership, you will be able to:
- Apply advanced knowledge of organisations and organisational issues to leadership in the setting.
- Apply a range of leadership skills to complex decision making in healthcare contexts.
- Apply reflective, critical and insightful leadership skills to maximising the effectiveness of human resources in a healthcare setting.
- Apply systematic/creative approaches to improving healthcare services
- Develop transferable leadership skills that can be applied in multi-agency, multicultural and/or international contexts.
- Inculcate an attitude of lifelong learning by promoting a sense of exploration and enquiry that enhances personal and professional development.
- Select and employ appropriate research and/or other strategies to critically evaluate and develop services in a healthcare setting.
Faculty
Programme Leader
Dr Clare Holt
Current post: Associate Professor Leadership in Healthcare
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme, NHS Leadership Academy, University of Birmingham
- Programme Lead MSc/PGDip Leadership in Healthcare, Learna Ltd/University of South...
Tutor - Sami Ozturk
Current post: GP Partner (Family Physician), Diabetes Lead, GP trainer and Healthcare Leadership Tutor.
MSc in Healthcare Leadership, University of Birmingham, MSc in Diabetes, University of South Wales, Fellow of...
Tutor - Dr. Mohammed Basha
Current post: Visiting Lecturer in Leadership and Strategy. University of South Wales tutor since 2017.
PhD Public Health, MSc Strategic Management, Post-graduate certificate in Global Health, Certified Black Belt Six...
Validating partner
University of South Wales
The University of South Wales (USW) is a modern, industry focused University located in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd in South Wales, UK. It was rated best in the UK for the Health Professions in the Guardian University Guide 2020 and, in the latest Complete University Guide 2022, is in the top 10 in the UK for Health Studies. USW is one of Britain’s largest and most exciting new universities attracting a cosmopolitan mix of students from across the globe.
Accreditors and Endorsers
Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management
This Leadership in Healthcare programme is accredited by the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management.
Institute of Leadership and Management
This MSc is accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management.
UEMS - European Union of Medical Specialists
This postgraduate course has also been accredited by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS)
Frequently Asked Questions
For a full list of our FAQs visit our FAQs page.
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.
Postgraduate Diploma courses
In order to be eligible for our Postgraduate Diploma courses you need to hold a medical degree or undergraduate degree in a health related science and be working within the field that you wish to study, as the course is designed to further your knowledge within your chosen subject and is not designed to introduce these as new topic areas.
We have two intakes a year in March and September. Click the following link for the up to date application deadlines and module dates: Module Dates.
The Action Taker Discount offers savings based on your programme: £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance. This discount is not available during February and August and not available in combination with the Early Bird Discount. The Action Taker Discount will be applied to your final payment. To take advantage, act quickly after acceptance to secure your savings.
Next intake: March 2025 Key Facts
Programme Leader
Dr Clare Holt
Current post: Associate Professor Leadership in Healthcare
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme, NHS Leadership Academy, University of Birmingham
- Programme Lead MSc/PGDip Leadership in Healthcare, Learna Ltd/University of South Wales
- Associate of Warwick Business School
- PhD Relational Leadership
- Executive Coach, AoEC
- Associate CIPD
Dr Clare Holt has worked with a variety of audiences across organizational boundaries, including middle to senior managers, company directors and CEOs, senior civil servants, politicians and peers. A creative thinker, Dr Holt strives to bridge her academic learning and research skills into practical settings across a variety of public and private organizations, particularly in all aspects of leadership in healthcare. Her focus in research, writing and teaching has involved most aspects of leadership, but predominantly features relational leadership, leading change and collaborative engagement in complex times.
Tutor - Sami Ozturk
Current post: GP Partner (Family Physician), Diabetes Lead, GP trainer and Healthcare Leadership Tutor.
MSc in Healthcare Leadership, University of Birmingham, MSc in Diabetes, University of South Wales, Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners UK (FRCGP), Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP), PgCert Medical Education - University of Essex.
- Experienced Family Physician (GP) and has practiced in the UK and Canada.
- Has a passion for improving healthcare leadership and medical education and is especially interested in empowering Clinicians with necessary skills to help them lead the way to improve healthcare outcomes.
- Held leadership roles in the UK including leading roles in the healthcare commissioning groups ,leading local Diabetes teams but his main passion remains being an educator and sharing his experiences with aspiring healthcare leaders from different backgrounds.
Tutor - Dr. Mohammed Basha
Current post: Visiting Lecturer in Leadership and Strategy. University of South Wales tutor since 2017.
PhD Public Health, MSc Strategic Management, Post-graduate certificate in Global Health, Certified Black Belt Six Sigma – American Society for Quality, Certified in Organisational Excellence - American Society for Quality, Certified Quality Auditor - American Society for Quality.
- Worked across a variety of healthcare organization for around 20 years.
- Started as a physician then gradually moved to focusing on healthcare leadership research and practice.
- Led tens of improvement projects in different organisations and countries spanning a multitude of specialties whether clinical or non-clinical.
- Interested in embedding principles of leadership and strategy into daily operations of healthcare and evaluating their impact on patient safety and quality of services provided.
- Authored different articles on healthcare management and has been a contributor to “Encyclopedia of Crisis Management” text published by SAGE publications in 2013.
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Why Study a Leadership in Healthcare Master's with Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
100% Flexible
Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.
Multidisciplinary - study in a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
Expert Led
All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.
Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.
Career Boosting
Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.
40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.
Who is this course for?
This MSc healthcare leadership is ideal for doctors of any grade and other healthcare professionals who wish to gain vital skills in leadership and how to lead teams effectively. As well as those already in healthcare roles, this leadership course is useful for GP practice managers, pharmacy managers, healthcare directorate managers and managers in pharmaceutical companies.
How Will I Learn?
You'll learn through our flexible, interactive online platform, which allows you to engage with clinical cases, complete assignments, and collaborate with fellow students at times that suit your schedule. There's no fixed timetable—simply log in daily to participate in the week's activities.
Learn through engaging discussion
Our teaching approach is highly interactive, using small groups of 10-20 students to foster a collaborative environment where you can engage in thoughtful discussions and receive guidance from your tutor. You'll have access to learning resources and discussion forums that encourage ongoing interaction and deeper engagement with the material.
Throughout your studies, you'll receive support from a dedicated expert tutor and our Student Support Team, ensuring you have the resources needed to navigate the course successfully.
Curriculum
The distance learning MSc healthcare leadership is a two year course, consisting of eight modules (180 credits) with the first 120 credits deriving from the postgraduate diploma. The second year of the MSc healthcare leadership course starts with an initial 10 week online module that will develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. Students then complete the professional project module, which consists of a 1,500 word proposal and 10,500 word professional project (dissertation).Year 1
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
- Critically appraise and systematically examine ‘what is leadership’ and consider its value in complex healthcare organisational structures.
- 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
- 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).
- 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
- Critically appraise the role of clinical governance in improving healthcare organisations.
- 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
- Critically analyse the role of career development tools in complex healthcare organisations.
- 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
- Critically analyse the role of strategy in achieving aims and objectives within complex healthcare organisations.
- 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
- Critically analyse a range of change models and theories, synthesising and selecting appropriate models for a diverse range of situations.
- Critically apply appropriate leadership in implementing change, taking into account the ‘problem’ being addressed, organisational culture, and personal responses to change.
Year 2
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
- Critically analyse and interpret research to assess its application to leadership and management related to healthcare settings.
- 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
- Design and undertake research relating to Leadership in Healthcare to produce an extensive piece of literature which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
- Critically evaluate practice/health service delivery and suggest improvements for change.
Assessment Methods
This programme emphasises learning through active participation in case-based discussions, reflection, and real-life scenarios. Students engage with clinical cases that mirror everyday practice, fostering problem-solving and evidence-based application from the very beginning.
Across the modules, assessments are integrated with learning. Each week, you will work through two to three clinical cases, discussing and reflecting on them with peers under the guidance of an expert tutor. These discussions form the core of your learning and are also the basis for your assessments.
Our innovative teaching methods are designed to help you translate this learning into real-world clinical practice. You'll need to regularly log in to participate in discussions, ideally on a daily basis, and commit approximately two hours per day to your studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter, from navigating our online platform to managing deadlines.
How Foundational Knowledge is Developed
The programme is structured so that foundational knowledge is introduced through carefully designed clinical cases. Each case is crafted to highlight essential concepts and progressively deepen your understanding as you apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis. This hands-on approach ensures that you are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also learning how to apply it in a practical, clinical setting.
This programme is suited for professionals who thrive in an online, discussion-based learning environment. Please note that this course focuses on interactive, applied learning through peer collaboration and case discussions. You will be fully supported, encouraged and led through the programme to success and graduation!
Year 1
- Every week students are presented with two/three case-based scenarios that are reflective of every day clinical practice and research.
- Your tutor will post a number of questions and prompts to aid students in a formal discussion of each case.
- These discussions are facilitated throughout by your tutor and are then assessed at the end of every module.
The reflective journal is used by students throughout each module to monitor personal progress. This is guided by weekly feedback from your tutor and is graded at the end of every module. The journal typically includes the following:
- Initial expectations and reasons for taking the course.
- Module and/or personal learning objectives.
- Description of events, issues and learning points within current personal practice.
- Change in every day practice due to knowledge gained on each module.
- A description of what has been learned during the module.
At the beginning of each module, students are presented with a module assignment. The module activity may take the form of an individual piece of work, such as an essay on a relevant topic, or may be a group activity, such as the creation of a marketing plan. This activity tests a student's ability to work independently or work within a team: to select, sift and analyse information, interact with colleagues and apportion group member’s roles and derive a solution to the module task.
The diverse assessment methods within each module are designed to test the expected characteristics of Masters graduates. These include critical awareness of current issues and developments in leadership, critical skills, knowledge of professional responsibility, integrity and ethics and the ability to reflect on their own progress as a learner.
Year 2
This module runs over an 8 week period and is designed to develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. The module consists of mandatory formative assessment activities to support your learning and development prior to the Professional Project module.
Students will work with their supervisor to submit a professional project proposal for their chosen topic.
Students will deliver an abstract (1000 words) outlining their proposal and, if deemed necessary, develop and submit documentation for the University’s ethical committee approval.
- Students will create a dissertation, the theme of which has been developed in discussion with their tutor.
- Supervision will normally involve direct online support involving planned progress, supporting research activity and reading student work.
- Supervisors and students will agree on a communications plan, which may involve emails or online chats. Some students may employ the use of freely available chat or audio conferencing facilities for live discussion with supervisors.
- Students will have access to online forums where they can develop their research capabilities together.
- All communications with tutors will be logged on the Professional Project forum by the student, and consist of brief summaries of discussion.
Entry requirements
Since our MSc healthcare leadership course is conducted entirely online, it's accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.
Applicants for the MSc in healthcare leadership and management online course will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree.
Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered for the MSc in healthcare leadership on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.
Documents Required
Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis, but typically, applicants for the programme will:
- Possess an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject awarded by a UK university or overseas equivalent (preferred).
- In the personal statement, provide evidence of at least 3 years experience in a healthcare setting to demonstrate how they can apply their PGDip/MSc learning to a practical setting and reflect on application to leadership practice.
- Basic IT skills (e.g., word-processing, email and internet)
- If English is not the student’s first language, they must hold an English language qualification
English Language Requirements
- 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each band) - including expired
- With a score of 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing (including Home Edition)
- English grade C or above
- Advanced (CAE): exams taken from January 2015- overall score of 169 with at least 162 in each component; exams taken before January 2015- Grade C and no less than borderline in each skill
- English Language qualifications: ISE II Distinction or ISE III Pass
- With a score of 64 overall and 59 in each component. Please note that where a
- UKVI SELT is not required, we can also accept the scores in the PTE Academic Online
- B2 Communicator Exam with a high pass with a score of 33 in each component
Course Fees
Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Option 2: Interest free payments every other month for the duration of the course.
| Date | Instalments | Up-Front Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | £790 | £9,100 |
| 1st May 2025 | £782 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £782 | |
| 1st September 2025 | £782 | |
| 1st November 2025 | £782 | |
| 1st January 2026 | £782 | |
| 1st March 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st May 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st July 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st September 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st November 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st January 2027 | £735 |
† Deposits are non-refundable
†† Prices are subject to review following each intake
Option 3: Lower your monthly payments by spreading the cost for between 2 and 8 years with a loan from our lending partner Lendwise*.
*Subject to eligibility criteria.
Learna | Diploma MSc has a partnership with Lendwise which is a leading private student loan provider, to help UK students fund their course fees should they require financing. Lendwise is a UK-based education finance platform through which candidates can fund their postgraduate and professional qualification studies at leading educational institutions.
A Lendwise loan comes with a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan (between 2 and 8 years) and no early repayment penalties. The interest rate offered will depend on the overall applicant profile and the application process is entirely online.*
*Other sources of funding are available.
Learna | Diploma MSc does not offer financial advice, recommend or endorse any financial product. You should always check the suitability of the product that is of interest to you. If you are in any doubt as to its suitability, we suggest that you seek independent professional advice.
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We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online diploma courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
Our courses are some of the most affordable of their kind, providing value for money without compromising on quality. We also don't apply an international surcharge. No fixed timetable means you can log in & learn on the go, at your convenience.
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