Skip to main content

Study information

Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

MSc Healthcare Leadership and Management (P/T 3 Year)

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMSc Healthcare Leadership and Management (P/T 3 Year) Programme codePTS3EMSEMS09
Study mode(s) Academic year2023/4
Campus(es)St Luke's (Exeter)
NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

Healthcare is becoming increasingly complex. An aging population and the global burden of disease mean that healthcare activities require unprecedented levels of cooperation between diverse providers and multiple sectors. As such, there is demand for practitioners at all levels within healthcare to possess a leadership and improvement skillset, to ensure that they can be actively involved in evidence-based health service redesign and innovation. 

The MSc Healthcare Leadership and Management has been specifically designed to nurture skills necessary to be an effective compassionate leader within a modern and evolving healthcare setting. The programme provides the opportunity to examine, acquire and apply skills to enhance the health of the population by improving the quality and sustainability of healthcare systems. Modelling interdisciplinary professional practice, students from across healthcare spheres will study together in a collective learning environment to develop their research, leadership and management skills. 

The core principles of the programme are aligned to the national framework for action on improvement and leadership development in NHS-funded services: Developing People – Improving Care (https://improvement.nhs.uk/resources/developing-people-improving-care/). However, the programme will also appeal to an international or private sector audience. It is suitable for all aspiring or established leaders in any health and social care related discipline including intercalating medical students (who have completed at least three years [360 credits] of medical school). It is offered as both a full-time and part-time programme and is available at PGCert and PGDip levels of award.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The educational aims of the MSc Healthcare Leadership and Management are to: 

1. Provide you with a safe environment of multi-disciplinary learning for you to share your ideas, perspectives and current experiences in response to realistic scenarios.

 2. Challenge you to consider offering solutions alone, and in collaboration, which address complex health issues from the perspective of the patient, their carer, a healthcare provider, a commissioner, employer or organisational collaborator in a related sector. 

3. Support your development as a leader and manager through phased engagement with both fundamental and more advanced concepts in the context of the delivery of healthcare at team and system levels.

4. Enable you to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and reflect on the translation of evidence into healthcare practice. 

5. Provide opportunities for you refine written and verbal communication skills through the examination of theory and translation it into practice, including an independent research project. 

The programme consists of four mandatory modules (each 15 credits), four optional modules (selected from a range of options, each 15 credits) and a 60 credit Independent Research project. 

A blended approach to learning including taught sessions, bespoke tutorials, and practical exercises is supported by on-line resources accessed via the University of Exeter’s electronic learning environment (ELE). Carefully selected tutors and guest lecturers will join you throughout the programme offering up-to-the minute insight, shared reflections and practical support for the duration, both in person and on-line.

4. Programme Structure

The MSc Healthcare Leadership and Management is divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 15 credits being nominally equivalent to 150 hours of work.

The MSc Healthcare Leadership and Management may be taken in one year full-time, or part-time over two or three years. 

The MSc requires 180 credits, of which 120 credits are taught modules and 60 credits is the Dissertation. 

The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Healthcare Leadership and Management is also offered, consisting of 60 credits of taught modules.   

The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in in Healthcare Leadership and Management is also offered, consisting of 120 credits of taught modules.

All programmes address the same set of ILOs. However, PGDip and MSc are able to address ILOs in greater depth. Some of the assessment methods mapped to ILOs are module specific.

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College web site:

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/medicine/healthcare-leadership-management-msc/

MSc: 1 year full time, 2 year part time and 3 year part time

 

 

 

 

Stage 1


Compulsory Modules

If you are doing  the MSc part time over 2 years:  take modules marked plus 2x15 credit optional modules in your first year. Take the remaining 30 credits from the optional modules plus HPDM148 in your final year.

If you are doing the MSc part time over 3 years:  take modules marked in your first year; take 4x15 credit optional modules in your second year; take HPDM148 in your final year. 

b These modules are delivered online

c If you are doing  the MSc part time, take HPDM148 in your final year.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
HPDM058 Implementation Science (See note a)15No
HPDM059 Leading Change in Health Services (See note a)15No
HPDM080 Leadership in Healthcare (See note a)15No
HPDM081 Management in Healthcare (See note a)15No
HPDM148 Independent Research (See note c)60No

Optional Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
HPDM057 Health Economics 15No
HPDM092 Fundamentals of Research Design 15No
HPDM105 Education Essentials 15No
HPDM106 Principles of Supervision and Mentoring 15No
HPDM145 Strategy and Systems Leadership 15No
HPDM154Z Future Health: Beyond Data (see note b)15No
HPDM155Z Future Health: Reimagining Systems (see note b)15No
HPDM061 Researching Clinical Education 15No
BEP3172 Future 17: Sustainable Development Goals Challenge (see note b)15No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Draw on a breadth of theoretical, conceptual and practical knowledge in leadership and management which will inform your practice in your healthcare setting.
2. Deploy your theoretical, conceptual and practical knowledge in leadership and management to operate more effectively in healthcare teams and systems.
3. Employ attitudes and behaviours that encourage compassionate, inclusive and effective and responsible leadership at all levels.
4. Propose and implement feasible evidence-based practice through the sound use of improvement methodologies.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of institutional learning in healthcare as a driver for safety and quality.

Lectures, seminars, masterclasses, Group discussions, practical exercises, simulated case-studies and engagement with real-world scenarios, Web-based learning, resource gathering, and in-depth reading. Preparation and writing of assignment(s). 

1. Case-based discussion – ILO 1-5 

2. Small group projects – ILO 1-5 

3. Student presentations – ILO 1,2,3,4  

4. Reflective essay – ILO 1-4

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

6. Develop a deep understanding of the contemporary challenges in healthcare and an evidence-based approach to dealing with them.
7. Contribute to evidence-led healthcare with the aim of developing safe, efficient, effective and sustainable systems of care
8. Develop reflective practice skills that facilitate collaborative working with multiple diverse stakeholders with whom you aim to create high quality health and care systems in partnership.
9. Develop an evidence-based and critically reflective approach to improvement and leadership in an area of professional practice

Workshops, masterclasses, specialist tutorials; small group discussions and project work; formative presentations; Peer-mentoring and coaching; preparation and writing of assignment(s). 

1. Case-based discussion – ILO 6-9 

2. Small group project – ILO 6,9 

3. Student presentations – ILO 6-9  

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

10. Communicate effectively the purpose, outcomes and implications of leadership and resource and people management in healthcare through multiple channels, to peers, specialists and lay audiences.
11. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling, problem solving and acting autonomously, in planning and implementing improvements in healthcare.
12. Apply initiative and take responsibility as a leader and follower to develop high quality care individually and in partnership.
13. Continue to learn independently and to develop professionally as evidenced by the inclusion of leadership and management in a professional development plan for the purposes of appraisal and career progression.

Workshops, masterclasses, specialist tutorials; small group discussions and project work; formative presentations; Peer-mentoring and coaching; preparation and writing of assignment(s). 

1. Formative presentations, case-based discussion, simulated scenarios (role play) throughout the programme ILO 10-13 

2. Small group projects – ILO 10-13 

3. Student presentations – ILO 10-13 

4. Reflective essaysILO 10-13 

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

10. Admissions Criteria

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

MSc Healthcare Leadership and Management (P/T 3 Year)

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits ECTS credits

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

07/08/2017

Date of last revision

28/04/2023