Lead change. Rethink systems. Shape global healthcare.
This MSc equips you to lead, manage and innovate in healthcare organisations around the world. Whether you’re already working in the sector or planning a career move, this course helps you understand how healthcare systems operate – and how they can be improved.
You’ll explore the big issues facing healthcare today: from health inequalities and system reform to sustainability, digital transformation and patient safety.
You’ll build key skills in leadership, strategy, finance and policy development, learning how to evaluate complex problems and design solutions that improve care.
Teaching is research-led and interdisciplinary, led by evidence from researchers at Kent Business School and the Centre for Health Services Studies. You’ll learn through real-world case studies, collaborative projects and simulated decision-making scenarios, and you’ll have the chance to apply your learning through a live consultancy project or a summer internship.
This course prepares you to lead in a fast-changing field – with the insight, confidence and practical experience to make a real difference.
Kent Business School is among the top 1% of ‘triple crown’ business schools worldwide following its European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).
The ‘Triple Crown’ involves awards by the three leading business school accreditation organisations – EQUIS, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and The Association of MBAs (AMBA).
You take all compulsory modules and in your final term you will choose one of our capstone modules, either 'Applications and Future Directions in Healthcare' or the 'Professional Placement/Internship'.
The 'Professional Placement/Internship' module will give you the chance to work in a business as part of your degree, getting real world experience alongside your learning. Whereas the 'Applications and Future Directions in Healthcare' is the perfect module for you to prepare for a career in healthcare. You'll develop your data-driven decision-making and written communication skills with expert guidance.
Whichever option you choose, you will be engaging with real problems in real businesses, giving you crucial experience and expanding your network. So you can make rapid progress in your career.
Compulsory modules currently include the following
Managing change is one of the key skills required in today’s dynamic business environment. This module will explore why some healthcare organisations are more receptive and successful at change than others, by examining change management at individual, team, organisational, sectoral, and societal levels using real-world examples. By the end of the module, you will have a deep understanding of change management and leadership, equipping you with valuable skills for a successful career in health and social care.
Discover the essential accounting and financial management practices crucial for healthcare and related organisations in this comprehensive module. You'll learn how to apply accounting principles to measure and report financial positions, analyse financial reports for strategic decision-making, and explore financial management techniques under resource constraints.
By the end of the module, you'll be equipped with the skills to make informed financial decisions, enhancing your employability and contributing to the sustainability and diversity of the healthcare sector.
Discover the essential skills for effective healthcare management in this engaging module designed for aspiring healthcare leaders. You'll learn to identify, critically appraise, and apply evidence to solve real-world healthcare challenges, while gaining expertise in project planning, population needs assessment, logic modelling, behaviour change measurement, and project outcome monitoring. This module will equip you with practical tools and knowledge to excel in diverse healthcare management roles, enhancing your employability and contributing to sustainable and inclusive healthcare solutions.
This engaging module explores how to effectively collaborate with patients within integrated and interprofessional care structures. Through international case studies and critical appraisal, you will learn about the benefits and challenges of patient inclusion in interdisciplinary teams, while developing key skills such as communication, teamwork, empathy, and cultural awareness.
By the end of the module, you will gain valuable insights and practical abilities that enhance employability and foster a more inclusive, sustainable approach to healthcare.
This module delves into what makes healthcare a unique form of management, providing an engaging exploration of its complexities.
You will learn about the values and principles shaping healthcare systems globally, covering key themes like policy, governance, professions, and ethics, while also analysing real-world scenarios involving modern challenges such as complex systems and digital technologies.
By the end of the module, you will understand the distinctive nature of healthcare management, equipping you with valuable insights and skills that enhance employability and ability to contribute to sustainable and diverse healthcare solutions.
Dive into how health systems adapt to evolving health needs while maintaining financial sustainability in this engaging module. You'll explore key concepts in developing sustainable global health systems, including funding models, patient care organization, and management strategies to meet changing demands.
You will gain valuable insights into creating efficient health systems, enhancing your employability and contributing to global health advancements.
Discover the critical role of strategic management and decision-making in healthcare with this engaging module. You'll explore the challenges faced by healthcare leaders, learning through contemporary examples and case studies to gain a deep understanding of various business contexts.
By the end of the module, you'll be equipped with valuable insights and skills to enhance your employability and lead effectively in the healthcare industry.
Optional modules may include the following
Dive into an engaging research project designed to elevate your data-driven decision-making and written communication skills with expert guidance. You'll frame your research within relevant academic literature, collect and analyse data, and develop solid arguments and recommendations, gaining essential research-led skills. Crucial for aspiring healthcare professionals, equipping you with the expertise needed for a successful career in the field.
Thinking about a career in a private sector? Or maybe you’re contemplating a career in the public or voluntary sector? Then this could be the module for you. This module builds on your previous subject specific learning, and enhances your understanding of how organisations operate in practice. You have the opportunity to gain experience whilst still on the postgraduate course and apply learning gained on the course. You will be able to reflect on the placement experience and how this relates to your academic knowledge. You will further enhance your critical thinking, communication, professional behaviours and resilience. Placements/Internships are not guaranteed and the University Careers and Employability team will be supporting you every step of the way.
Here’s a sample timetable from your first term at Kent. You'll learn through a mix of lectures, seminars and workshops - in both big and small groups with focused teaching blocks and time to work, rest or explore uni life.
Items in green are confirmed, whereas anything marked yellow could be scheduled at a different time or day depending on your group, but this gives a good sense of what to expect.
Plan your week better: at least one free weekday for catching up on course work or just taking a breather.
Focused days without burnout: No isolated 1-hour campus days.
Time to live the uni experience: Space for societies, part-time jobs and downtime.
2.2 or above
A minimum of a second-class UK degree, or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in any subject area is needed for this course.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and those without an honours degree may also be considered on the basis of work experience, professional qualifications and the relevance of the programme to their current professional role.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
The 2026/27 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy.
The 2026/27 annual tuition fees for UK postgraduate research courses have not yet been set by the Research Councils UK. This is ordinarily announced in March. As a guide only, the full-time tuition fee for new and returning UK postgraduate research courses for 2025/26 is £5,006.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.
Find out more about student accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:
Kent is a leading research university, meaning that you will be informed about new discussions and developments by the people making them. This means your work will have real potential to make a difference.
From the moment you start with us, our efforts are focused on helping you gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive workplace. You can increase your career prospects through an optional short-term Professional Placement/Internship module as part of your degree, develop consultancy skills through an optional Applicants and Future Directions in Healthcare. You can also or progress onto a 12-month optional Placement and you can even transform your idea into a business through the Business start-up Journey with Aspire.
Our careers and employability support at Kent Business School is designed to make sure you are ready to hit the ground running when you graduate, when you study with us you can expect:
1-2-1 personalised Career Coaching with qualified and experienced coaches.
Pre-arrival guidance for international students to support navigating the UK labour market
Mentoring opportunities through professional bodies, business leaders and Kent alumni
Workshops and events designed to support your career planning, finding and securing work and work experience, and professional development, including insights from industry.
Access to careers fairs, live projects/competitions with employers and networking opportunities
Plus access to extracurricular professional development and skills courses run by industry professionals
Additionally, the Postgraduate Employability Edge programme, available to postgraduate students at Kent Business School takes place from Welcome Week until the end of your studies and is designed to enhance your career prospects further.
Our Healthcare Management graduates find work across many realms of the NHS and private healthcare institutions. They also go on to work in general management and consultancy both overseas and in the UK in a wide range of companies and organisations.
Graduates go on to roles in:
NHS management and leadership
Global and regional health organisations
Consultancy and strategic planning
Policy and advocacy
Healthcare innovation and digital transformation.
Postgraduates earn
A degree can boost average lifetime earnings by over
Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.
You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.
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