Programme overview

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The MSc in Health Care Policy and Management has specialist options available in:

• Commissioning
• Quality and Service Improvement

Health systems are complex in nature. Governments and health care organisations have to manage need and demand with finite resources and increasing public expectations. Within the UK, the NHS is expected to deliver on national targets, improve organisational performance, and respond to local needs and demands, and internationally most countries face similar challenges.

To manage this complexity successfully, health care managers and clinicians need the knowledge, skills and resources to bring about sustainable change.  This MSc provides both theoretical frameworks and practical tools that can be applied to health systems in the UK and overseas.

The programme is designed for senior managers, clinicians and policy makers working in or with health care organisations, or with an interest in developing their careers in this direction.

Programme structure

The MSc programme is offered on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 year) basis, and consists of four compulsory modules, two optional modules and a dissertation.

The Postgraduate Diploma is offered on a full-time (9 months) or part-time (21 months) basis, and consists of four compulsory modules and two optional modules .

Each module involves approximately 30 hours contact time. To aid those travelling from distance, modules are delivered in units (for example 5 consecutive days, or units of three and two consecutive days).

Compulsory modules

The core modules are listed below (but note that the detailed content of programmes is regularly updated in line with developments in theory, policy and practice: HSMC reserves the right to make adjustments to this indicative programme outline as appropriate):

Health Services Management

The aims of this module are to:

• Explore current and future challenges faced by health systems in developed countries, in general and within the NHS in particular.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of the structures, systems and relationships in the NHS and in other developed countries.
• Relate the issues explored to health care management and health care managers.

The ten half day sessions, which are delivered as a three-day and a two-day block, examine distinct issues in health care management. Throughout the programme several sub-themes will thread through the sessions; in particular we will make reference to:

• The values that underpin the development of health systems
• The tension between need and demand
• The conventional structural divides and the challenges posed by structure
• Diversity
• The use of data and information

Health and Health Care Policy

The aim of this module is to critically examine health and health care policy issues.  In particular, the module will:

• Enable participants to gain an understanding of the policy making process in health
• Explore different models for understanding the health and healthcare policy process and introduce students to key theoretical concepts and their application to health policy
• Apply these concepts to the experience of health, illness and disability, and to contemporary health policy issues
• Explore policies and practices, especially those which cross the boundaries of health and social care services.

This five day module is delivered as a three-day and a two-day block.

An Introduction to Organisational Development for Health and Social Care

This module critically examines the definitions and processes of OD from diagnosis through intervention to review. Key frameworks explored in the module include:

• Systems theory
• The relationship between structure and culture
• Group dynamics
• The practical application of the OD cycle and associated tools and techniques

Throughout the module, attention is paid to the importance of both the process and the anticipated outcome of change.

The module also draws on lessons from the literature and the practical experience of those involved in planning and delivering health and social care services and is delivered as a three-day and a two-day block.

Public and User Involvement in Health Care

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the historical and theoretical background to consumerism and user involvement in health care and the evidence for how users and the public can be involved in improving service quality. It includes:

• Models of public, user and patient involvement
• Community participation and development
• Analysis of the development of policy on consumerism
• Public involvement and examination of policy initiatives

Different methods for involving users and the public will be presented and the strengths and weaknesses discussed.

This five day module is delivered as a three-day and a two-day block.

These compulsory modules total 80 credits.  In order to fulfil the Programme Requirements you need to obtain 120 credits in taught modules.  You can do this by selecting two of the optional modules below (each worth 20-credits).

Assessment

Each module is worth twenty credits and is normally assessed through two 3,000-word assignments (or one of 6,000 words).

The MSc dissertation is 10,000 words and worth 60 credits. It is a personally chosen and managed research project, undertaken over the duration of the programme with formal research training incorporated.

To be eligible for postgraduate certification, candidates are normally expected to achieve passes on all required modules, although overall performance is taken into account where this is not achieved. A dissertation of pass standard is required for the award of the MSc. The pass mark is 50% and candidates gaining an overall averages of between 60-69% and, where appropriate, a dissertation in this range, are awarded a ‘Pass with Merit’. Those achieving an average score of 70% or more, and a dissertation mark in this range, where appropriate, are awarded a ‘Pass with Distinction’

Specialisms and option modules

HSMC offers the opportunity to graduate with a specialism in a specific area of Health Care Policy and Management. In order to gain a specialism you should use your option modules (two x 20 credits) to focus on one of the following themes:

• Commissioning (‘Strategic Commissioning’ plus one of: ‘Public Service Procurement and Contracting’ and ‘Law, Regulation and Finance of Commissioning’)
• Quality and Service Improvement (‘Quality and Service Improvement in Health Care' and 'Quality and Innovation: approaches to improvement')

Alternatively, participants can select any two of these as option modules. Particpants may also choose from a range of more than fifty other approved modules from the broader school, college and university. Choices are subject to approval by the Programme Director, taking into account module availability, timetabling considerations and demand/viability. 

If you require further information, please telephone 0121 414 3174 or email C.J.Vos@bham.ac.uk 

Why study this course at Birmingham?

Our programmes provide a challenging and inspiring study experience for both existing and aspiring practitioners in health and social care organisations. They equip participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop both their careers and organisations.

HSMC staff bring their wide knowledge of UK and international health systems (gained through research and consultancy activities, as well as their own professional experience) to their teaching and tutorial support for students. 

This emphasis on combining theory and practice is maintained throughout all of our programmes, from the choice of titles for assignments, through the involvement of practitioners and policy makers in teaching activities, to the topics selected for dissertations.

While some students choose to concentrate on theoretical topics, many students carry out empirical studies for their dissertation, often related to their own place of work or area of professional expertise