Health Services Management (online) MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning
This online distance learning Health Services Management programme is designed to provide an academic grounding for those interested in developing or enhancing their careers in the complex environment of health services management, in both the public and private sector, and working at the micro, meso and macro levels.
- Online distance learning
- Academic contact: Sue Campbell
- Teaching start: September
- MSc: 36 months part‑time
- PgDip: 24 months part‑time
- PgCert: 12 months part‑time
Why this programme
- Aims to equip students with the knowledge to develop quality health services from understanding day-to-day decision making through to transformational change process.
- Delivered in conjunction with the Adam Smith Business School, which holds triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS and has 40 years of experience delivering management and leadership courses as part of its MBA.
- It will explore management and leadership skills required for contemporary health service organisations.
- Learn skills on how to deal with pressures of developing services, policies and the ever-changing demands of business needs.
- In a constantly changing health care environment, you will be encouraged to take a critical approach to your learning and demonstrate adaptable, creative, analytical and innovative attributes.
- All content will be delivered online.
Programme structure
The programme aims to cover three main themes:
- Provision of a thorough knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practice by introducing systems for managers and administrators to minimise errors and monitor performance. The programme will provide guidance in strong leadership and effective management to ensure achievement of organisational objectives against a background of increasing public expectations.
- Provision of a critical appreciation of relevant theoretical, methodological and technical literature from the central business disciplines and to cultivate analytical and interpretive abilities and enable students to integrate these with essential managerial and business skills.
- Reflection on the knowledge acquired during the taught elements of the programme and take independent responsibility for the application of explicit management responsibilities and practices to a relevant problem for the completion of the dissertation.
Learning and teaching approaches will include:
Teacher Directed Activities
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Case studies
- Discussion forums
- Journal clubs
Student Directed Activities
- Pre-class learning activities e.g. quizzes, podcasts
- Guided independent study e.g. literature searching and reading
- Essays
- Group work
- Presentations
- Peer-review
- Reflective practice
Core courses
- A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO CHANGE MANAGEMENT
- INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE SERVICES
- OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: THEORY TO PRACTICE
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR PRACTITIONERS
- RESEARCH METHODS IN HEALTH & WELLBEING
Optional courses
- GLOBALISATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
- HEALTH ECONOMICS FOR HTA ONLINE
- HEALTH PROMOTION: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE
- IMPROVING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT
- LEADING IMPROVEMENT IN CARE PROVISION
- RESEARCH METHODS IN HEALTH & WELLBEING
- MENTAL HEALTH AND DISABILITY: INTERNATIONAL LAW AND POLICY
- TEACHING IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS
- TRANSFORMING CARE SERVICES
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
Suitable for those working in a range of settings including public, private and not for profit health service environments. You may already be a health professional and wish to develop your leadership skills to further your organisations values or be looking to develop linkages across the health and social care sector.
Alternatively, you may be new to health service organisations but wish to engage in a role where your values and compassion can facilitate social change. Examples of job sectors include:
- Health service management at all levels
- Social care
- Large hospital organisations
- Private healthcare sector
- Charity organisations
- Policy think tanks
- Pharmaceutical industry
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2024-25
MSc
UK / EU / International:
- £15,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.
PgDip
UK / EU / International:
- £10,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.
PgCert
UK / EU / International:
- £5,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.
NHS-funded students
Fees for students funded by the NHS (after NHS discount):
- £11,130 (total cost for MSc)
- £7,420 (total cost for PGDip)
- £3,710 (total cost for PGCert)
- £1,237 per 20 credits
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Entry requirements
A relevant first degree, at least at 2.1 honours level or equivalent in addition to a minimum of six months work experience.
Exceptionally, if a first degree is not relevant then a professional qualification and experience in the practice of health service management for at least two years at a professional level is required. 2:2 applicants with a strong subject specific expertise may also be considered. If your degree is below 2:1 or in an unrelated subject you may be invited to attend an informal interview.
Examples of relevant degrees are:
- Dentistry, medicine, nursing or other healthcare professions
- Health sciences including health service management
- Social sciences
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- Oxford ELLT 7
- R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
- W&S: OIDI level no less than 6.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Application deadlines
- Applications for this online programme will be accepted until it starts
