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MSc

Senior Leadership in Healthcare (HDA Top-up)

Top-up course for students on the PDIP Senior Leadership at KBS London.

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Key information

Start
September
Location
Canterbury
Study mode
6 months full-time
Fees (per year)
UK: £3,900
Typical offer
Senior Leader Apprenticeship - Level 7
All entry requirements

Overview

Have you recently completed your Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship (SLA)? Compete your studies at Kent by topping-up to a full Masters degree and gain a more widely recognized qualification.

Designed for executives, entrepreneurs and future leaders of business who seek to develop to the knowledge, skills and strategic mindset that are required for senior leadership roles, the MSc Top-up builds on what you learned during your SLA but with a focus on Healthcare Management. 

Drawing on expertise from Kent's Centre for Health Services Studies (https://research.kent.ac.uk/chss/) the course helps to develop senior managers with a background in healthcare 

Continue to engage in work-based projects, reflective learning, and developing the skills that you need to stand out as a senior manager in your organisation.

The course

What you'll study

The following modules are what students will typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Stage 3

To top-up to a Master’s degree Senior Leadership in Management, you take the following 60 credits as applicable, on payment an additional fee.

Compulsory modules currently include the following

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.

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 an inclusive, sustainable approach to management in healthcare.

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 essential for successful future professionals in a variety of disciplines, including healthcare. Crucial for aspiring leaders, equipping you with the expertise needed for a successful career in any field.

How you'll study

Postgraduate taught modules are designed to give you advanced study skills, a deeper knowledge of the subject, and the confidence to achieve your ambitions.

Entry requirements

Senior Leader Apprenticeship - Level 7

Successful completion of a Senior Leader Apprenticeship - Level 7. You must have successfully completed all modules as part of PG Diploma and undertaken End Point Assessment (EPA). 

In order to top-up to a Master’s degree you must take an additional 60 credits as applicable, on payment of a top-up fee.

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.

Fees and funding

The fee for the MSc Top-up is a flat £3,900. Speak to your employer about whether they are able to support you with covering this fee

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.

Your fee status

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.

The intensive week (face-to-face block teaching) will include additional costs to apprentices; apprentices-students /employers, such as accommodation, travel and food expenses. 

Costs incurred to attend in-person teaching in London (including accommodation, travel and food expenses) will need to be covered by the apprentice or the employer. 

Students wishing to progress to an optional MSc route will be required to pay an additional fee to be eligible for award (with adjustment for inflation per annum). 

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.

General additional costs

Find out more about student accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Kent Future Student Scholarships

If you are starting at Kent in September 2025, you could qualify for our new Kent Future Student Scholarships:

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both: 

International scholarships

Unlock your potential with scholarships up to £5,000

Research

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.

Your future

Embedded employability: developing career-enhancing skills

You'll develop highly effective transferable skills for leadership, people management, innovation, collaboration as well as effective communication across traditional and digital media and through application in the workplace.

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. 

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.
  • 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.


    Postgraduates earn

    £6,000
    more per year than graduates (Graduate Labour Market Statistics, 2021).

    A degree can boost average lifetime earnings by over

    £300,000
    Graduate employment outcomes - Universities UK

    Ready to apply?

    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.

    Apply now

    Everything else