The complexity of modern healthcare, arising from constant innovation, has been described as being “an order of magnitude” greater than other industries. Currently, health care service users increasingly demand a personalised, higher quality health care experience, whilst the threat of public sector austerity increases the pressure on providers to deliver it.

Modern health care providers are becoming knowledge driven, learning organisations, and the performance of the workers and managers in them is determined by “intelligent experimentation, ingenuity, interpersonal skills, and resilience in the face of adversity” (Edmondson 2008) .

Such high quality, mass-customised healthcare of the future, will need graduates who understand the issues, and who can work to produce a fair and efficient allocation of resources, as safely as possible. The BSc (Hons) degree in Health Services Management prepares its students to be knowledgeable and enquiring, with the resilience and good interpersonal skills necessary to contribute to these systems.

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.

• Gain a sound understanding of the principles of health care operational management
• Understand core concepts in change management, service redesign and leadership.
• Understand aspects of policy, finance, safety, and practice management
• Understand effective recruitment, deployment and development of health workers
• Develop knowledge and skills to evaluate the quality of health services.
• Apply a critical and analytical approach to principles and practices of Health Services Management.

Knowledge

• Identify different perspectives on work organization and how people are managed (Maj, J, and Min)
• Understand basic principles of operations management applied to health care (Maj, J, and Min)
• Appreciate the key drivers of consumer satisfaction in healthcare and their practical application (Maj, J, and Min)
• Discuss the contexts in which leadership is required within the health care setting (Maj, J, and Min)

Thinking skills

• Appraise the value of effective management in the achievement of positive outcomes (Maj, J, and Min)
• Critically analyse a range of tools and techniques used to improve health care service quality (Maj, J, and Min)
• Explore methods and systems for service recovery and resolution in health care (Maj, J, and Min)
• Evaluate the impact of service redesign and change on individuals and teams (Maj, J, and Min)
• Critically analyze the different methods of health care funding (Maj and J)
• Explain the different theories, models and concepts underpinning safe health care (Maj and J)
• Design an action plan for personal leadership development (Maj, J, and Min)
• Prepare a business case for changing a healthcare service (Maj)

Subject-Based Practical skills

• Problem-solving skills (Maj, J, and Min)
• Data collection and research skills (Maj, J, and Min)
• Evaluative and analytical skills (Maj, J, and Min)
• Sensitivity to the values and interests of others (Maj, J, and Min)
• Location and retrieval of information from a variety of sources (Maj, J, and Min)
• Independent learning (Maj, J, and Min)

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Convey ideas in an appropriate written or oral format, including, where appropriate, the presentation of data (Maj, J, and Min)
• Communicate effectively (in writing and verbally). (Maj, J, and Min)
• Participate effectively in groups to achieve joint learning outcomes (Maj, J, and Min)
• Manage time effectively (Maj, J, and Min)
• Critically reflect on the value of one's own work (Maj, J, and Min)
• Select and utilise appropriate computer software (Maj, J, and Min)
• Set goals, plan a work programme(Maj, J, and Min)
• Development of independent learning (Maj, J, and Min)

The expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or 4-5 years in part-time mode.  It is possible to move from a full-time mode of study to a part-time mode of study and vice-versa, to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. 

Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching year is divided into two semesters beginning in September and February. A full-time student would normally register for 6 modules in one year (3 modules in each Semester). Part time students can normally register for up to a maximum of four modules in any one academic year. Assessment takes place at the end of each semester.  Students may start the programme in either September or February. 

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A student registered in a full-time attendance mode will typically take six 20 credit modules (or fewer, if any are 40 credit modules) per year. Part-time students may take any number of modules up to a maximum of four per year.
An honours degree student must complete modules totalling 120 credits at level one, modules totalling 120 credits at level 2 and modules totalling 120 credits at level 3.

It is possible to bring together modules from one field with modules from another to produce a combined programme. The University offers subjects in a variety of combinations:

• Single          120 credits at levels one, two and three
• Major          80 credits at levels one, two and three
• Joint            60 credits at levels one, two and three
• Minor          40 credits at levels one, two and three.

Modules are defined as:

• Core            Must be taken
• Option         Select from a range of identified modules

In order to gain anhonoursdegree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain anordinary degree  you will need to obtain a minimum of 320 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 80 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain aDiploma of Higher Educationyou will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a  minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain aCertificate of Higher Educationyou will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.

Knowledge is developed through

• Lectures
• Tutorials/seminars
• Workshops
• Reading
• Internet
• UEL Plus
• Independent research

Thinking skills are developed through

• Presentations
• Preparing for tutorials and seminars/workshops
• Problem-based learning
• Completing coursework assignments (including data analysis, essays and reports)
• Independent reading.

Practical skills are developed through

• Practical work in  groups
• Work placements
• Computer usage 
• Library sessions

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• Time management
• Presenting ideas and arguments in a structured manner –written and oral communication
• Computer literacy
• Problem solving
• Team work.

Knowledge is assessed by

• Written seen, unseen examinations and open book examination
• 'standard' essays, extended essays and short pieces of assessed coursework Individual and group presentations
• Poster presentations
• Group reports
• Oral Presentations
• Portfolios
• Database searches
• Library exercises
• Throughout the programme there is a combination of formative and summative assessment.

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Written seen. unseen examinations and open book examination;
• 'Standard' essays, extended essays and short pieces of assessed coursework
• Individual and group presentations
• Poster presentations
• Group reports
• Project work
• Library exercises
• Oral presentations
• Describing, explaining and discussing various aspects of the module material in the context of class tutorials, group work, presentations etc.
• Cognitive and intellectual skills are promoted via group discussions, debates, and workshops based on the analysis of a range of practice situations.

Practical skills are assessed by

• Evidence of logical planning and management of time
• the preparation of materials for assessment
• The ability to complete assignments using appropriate resources.
• Reports resulting from group work.
• Open Book Examination
• Individual and group presentations;
• Poster presentation
• Group reports

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Demonstration of effective oral and written communication skills
• Evidence of interpersonal skills such as teamwork and /or team leadership
• The ability to work to strict deadlines
• The ability to select and utilise appropriate problem solving skills