Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care (MSc)

If you're applying for the full time master's course, you need a 2.2 honours degree in a relevant subject from a clinical, health, science or social science background.

Three years' work experience is helpful, but not necessary.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Full-time master's*

On the full-time version of this master’s degree in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care your studies will run for a full 12 months. The first 8 months cover your taught modules.

Modules will begin from September 2021 and continue through April. Your dissertation research will start in May 2022 and work should be completed at the end of September, 2022.

Full-time Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate

If you’re a UK applicant interested in studying the PGDip or PGCert full-time, your studies are structured in the following ways:

• PGDip: you must study a total of 6 modules, excluding the dissertation, over 12 months
• PGCert: you must a total of 3 modules over 12 months

Part-time master's*, Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate

If you’re a UK applicant interested in studying part-time for the MSc, PGDip or PGCert your studies are structured in the following ways:

• MSc: you must study a total of 7 modules over 2 to 5 years
• PGDip: you must study a total of 6 modules over 2 to 4 years
• PGCert: you must study a total of 3 modules over 2 to 3 years

*You must have submitted the assessments for your modules before you submit the dissertation.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

On this course, you'll learn to:

• develop effective leadership skills
• reflect on your own leadership and decision-making traits
• understand and influence both group and organisational practices

You will also:

• test and explore your interactions with others
• enhance your healthcare leadership skills
• apply both observed and theoretical research to your practice

As well as lectures there's a strong focus on interactive learning. You’ll take part in simulations, discussions and games to bring together theory and practice.

Invited guest speakers will share their knowledge and you can join in discussions with active researchers, practitioners, patients, policy analysts, and clients.

You’ll need to complete supplementary reading and explore other online resources in advance of the class sessions.

Assessment

Assessment methods may include:

• designing policies, rules, pathways or strategies
• building a business case for service redesign
• evaluating a new or existing service or intervention
• completing a critical incident analysis
• analysing a problem in your own work environment
• interviewing co-workers, superiors, and/or clients
• reviewing and critically evaluating research

We encourage you to choose an assessment approach that has meaning to you and which you can immediately apply to your work.

Dissertation

For your dissertation you’ll plan and complete an independent, original project relevant to your current or future area of practice. This takes place over 10 months and starts in December.

You can select one of the following dissertation formats:

• A literature review: You'll find and review evidence relevant to your topic. You'll then present your findings and explain the implications for your practice
• A service improvement project: You’ll plan and complete a service improvement project in your area of practice. You’ll present the findings to relevant stakeholders such as patients, staff, managers, commissioners or service users

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge to take up leadership and management positions in health and social care. Our graduates work for organisations across the globe including:

• the Care Quality Commission
• the World Health Organisation
• non-governmental organisations that provide health and social care in refugee camps

Their work includes:

• leading service improvement teams in NHS Trusts
• designing data collection and privacy policies in social care
• consulting
• pursuing doctoral studies in the UK and beyond
   

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Full-time study

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,400.

Part-time study (UK students only)

If you're a UK student and you choose to study part-time you can pay as you go for each module.

The cost of an individual module is £1249. Exceptions to this are:

• Leading Others (HLTH6120): £1405
• Dissertation, part-time (HLTH6213) and Dissertation, full-time (HLTH6214): £2186

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

NHS Learning Support Fund

As a student on this course you may be entitled to help from the NHS Learning Support Fund.

This can include a training grant of £5,000 per academic year, parental support of £2,000 for students with at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs, and help with travel and temporary accommodation costs for placements.  

Find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website. 

Southampton Health Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Health Sciences.

Find out more about the Southampton Health Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

Application deadlines

The deadline for applying for your course for the 2023 year of entry depends on where you’re domiciled (where your permanent home is and where you have the closest ties).

This is because:

• students from different countries tend to apply at different times of year
• we want a diverse and balanced mix of international students with exceptional academic ability

We must receive new applications by midday UK time.

The deadline may still move to:

• an earlier date if we have already received enough applications before the deadline
• a later date if there are still places available on the deadline

We receive many high-quality applications, so places for many of our courses are very competitive.  

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• a degree transcript

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We'll assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

We will aim to send you a decision 6-8 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000