Programme summary for BSc (Hons) Health Services Management
This programme looks at management theory in the context of healthcare delivery. You will receive an introduction to management in the NHS, and will develop excellent management and interpersonal skills.
The National Health Service, along with its partners in the public, voluntary and private sectors, is undergoing a period of unprecedented change in the light of technical advances, rising public expectation and increased government investment. This degree explores both the background to these changes and the role of management in securing the successful implementation of change and the ongoing delivery of health care services. You will learn to develop critical and analytical skills to enhance your understanding of the continuing development of health care and your ability to participate in its management.
The NHS employs 1.3 million staff and according to current expenditure projections will soon have a budget of £100 million a year. Its task and organisation are complex and managers occupy a great range and number of key roles, ranging from the Boardroom to ‘front-of-house’, sometimes in hospitals, sometimes in primary care or health planning settings. The NHS is in the public eye and many management posts involve direct contact with members of the public, often at times of some stress in their lives. Other managers will work in direct support of their clinical colleagues. If you are looking for a quiet life, healthcare management is not for you!
See what one of our Health Services Management graduates thought of his study in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience.
About the programme
The new Health Services Management programme provides students with an opportunity to explore how healthcare is organised and delivered, in both a local and an international context.
Students do this from a research-led perspective, and (where possible) are actively encouraged to evaluate the impact of service delivery via research or audit projects.
The programme begins with studies in health, management, research and policy in year 1, followed by the essential principles of healthcare management, research, service evaluation and service quality in year 2, and considers more advanced concepts of service redesign, change management, finance, and leadership in Year 3.
Because the programme has been designed with the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) in mind, graduates will be able to apply for intermediate operational roles in the NHS, or in other, comparable systems.
Programme structure
The programme provision is module based, and structured to allow a student maximum flexibility. It is easy to switch between full and part time study if circumstances require this. Joint degrees with other relevant study areas are also possible. There is a common first semester so students are not required to register a programme choice until they have completed this semester. The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) and experience enables a faster route through the programme. Each pathway has modules which are compulsory, but there is the facility for students to select modules according to their interests.
Career opportunities
Many students go on to postgraduate study. Employment opportunities exist in the expanding Health and Social Care service sector. Care services in East London also offer many employment opportunities – within both the public and private sectors.
Support
When you arrive at the University you will be allocated a personal development tutor who will be a member of the academic staff familiar with your programme of study. During your first semester at level I you will see your personal development tutor regularly as an integral part of your core module HS1101 ‘Personal and Professional Skills’ module. Your personal tutor is there to help you throughout you time at the University.
Module leaders and programme leaders also offer support on academic issues.
There is a School help desk to offer both direct help and advice.
Student representatives are elected each year from each level and can also act as a communication channel with staff and other students.
Every health promotion module uses online resources for all students via UEL Plus which provides lecture notes and other module specific information.
Support for Students at the university level includes; Disability, dyslexia and access services, Skillzone, Connexions, an Employability Unit, advice on practical issues such as finance, medical services, language support and learning support for specialist needs.
Increasingly, the web is used as a resource to support students’ learning. All module information, including lecture summaries, is available on our virtual learning environment (UEL Plus), together with notice boards and discussion boards. This support is especially important if you are considering part-time study.
Modules are taught on individual days to allow students to plan work and/or other responsibilities around their University attendance.
Admission
240 UCAS points or equivalent plus a minimum of GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in English language and mathematics.
Students may be admitted through Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes.
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 in each component of assessment (or equivalent) is required.
International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education undergraduate programmes.
Key facts
You can start many programmes in either September or February and applications are simple to make. Click below to:
Apply online Health Services Management (BSc (Hons))
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