PMHSCMPY - MSc Health and Social Care Management and Policy

The MSc Health and Social Care Management and Policy provides opportunities for developing advanced knowledge and skills, taking a multi-disciplinary social science approach that enables graduates to take up work in various aspects of health and social care management, nationally and internationally. The MSc Health and Social Care Management provides a multi-disciplinary learning environment in which to study the management of health and social care services and the policy principles and approaches underpinning those services.

The MSc Health and Social Care Management and Policy curriculum is underpinned by the core values and principles of the School of Social Professions including multi-disciplinary learning, social justice, the right to health, equal opportunity, community involvement and empowerment, service user involvement, and social inclusiveness.

The course takes in issues of public policy and management and the macro and micro levels. As such, the core programme, combined with a range of optional (designate) modules covers a broad range of topics that fall within three main domains of health and social care management and policy, these being a/ public policy shaping health care delivery, b/ the management of health and social care at an organisational level in a context of change, and c/ managing teams and individuals at the micro-level.

Learning and teaching will be organised mainly as blended learning, with a mixture of contact and on-line activities such as lectures, group work and group assessments, interactive seminars and workshops, and independent study. Students will be required to engage critically with the course reading material provided. Learning resources will also include web-material from key health organisations, videos, and DVDs.

The overall aim of the MSc Health and Social Care Management and Policy is to develop effective managers and policy professionals. The course uses a multi-disciplinary social science approach to help students develop knowledge, and a range of skills and competences. Graduates will be able to engage effectively with policy, clarify strategic goals, manage and implement projects based on ethics and professional good practice, and manage themselves and others in the pursuit of excellence. The course will:

1/ develop students’ capacity to manage staff and resources; to set up organisational and team priorities; assure the quality of provided services and staff performance.

2/ enable students to be analytical of their own and others' behaviour in relation to management processes, focusing on the capacity to manage their own time, priorities and development, as well as the performance of others.

3/ provide a multi-disciplinary learning environment in which students can develop and improve their practice through the acquisition and application of knowledge, and the development of skills for effective leadership and management practice.

4/ provide learning opportunities which support the leadership and management role within
the context of risk, resource constraints and equity i.e., strategic planning (organisation and workforce), managing resources (people, budgets and performance information), leading and managing quality improvements and engaging service users, and implementing, monitoring and evaluating change.

5/ support students develop research and evaluative skills to support an evidence - based approach to their leadership and management practice, and critical reflective practice.

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship in Health and Social Care Management and Policy
2. Apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in Health and Social Care Management and Policy
3. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Health and Social Care Management and Policy
4. Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses
5. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
6. Exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
7. Advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level
8. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
9 Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development

GI7003
SH7001
SH7003
SH7006
SH7007
SH7008
SH7009
SH7011
SH7012
SH7053
SH7058
SH7061
GI7035
SH7P63

Learning Outcome covers LO1-9

The course uses a variety of teaching and learning styles and these are, in turn, reflected in the variety of assessment tools employed through the course. Within the general principle of mixed mode formative and summative assessments can be found a diversity of instruments: practical reports and reviews, presentations, essays and the dissertation. Transferable skills have been embedded in the learning outcomes of the course modules. It includes formative assessment, so that students can test and assess their own performance before handing in or presenting work. The MSc includes a dissertation based on the student’s own area of interest.

Whilst there is currently no formally organised work experience or work-based learning, it is important to note that historically many students on this course are also in employment. These students can apply their learning to current problems and challenges they face at their work-place. The contribution of these students to class discussion and group work when looking at real-world workplace examples and problem-based learning is immense and important to the overall learning on this course.

Level Title of available award Requirements
PG Cert Post Graduate Certificate in Health and Social Care Management and Policy Three modules (a minimum of 2 core modules).
PG Dip Post Graduate Diploma in Health and Social Care Management and Policy 4 cores, 2 options
MSc Masters of Science in Health and Social Care Management and Policy 4 cores, 2 options, 60 credit dissertation

During induction week, students are asked to complete a personal development plan, in which they offer an evaluation of their current academic / professional strengths and weaknesses, and identify the skills / capabilities they wish to develop in relation to the domains of managing health and social services, and their future careers. This is used as the basis for developing an action plan and a reflective account, which will be completed and self-monitored by the students throughout their study. There are also opportunities within each module for reflective practice and learning.

This qualification will enhance the career prospects of those working in many settings where knowledge and skills in health and social care management and policy making is relevant. Graduates from our existing programmes report improved career choices and advancement as a result of learning acquired on this programme. Many have gone on to careers as: Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation Managers, Managers of Learning Disability Services, Primary Care Trust Business Development Managers, Day Centre managers, Sure Start programme managers, Health Visitor Managers, Prison Service Managers, Residential and Nursing Care Home Managers, Advisors in Local Authorities, Community Care Managers, managed policy research and have become policy makers.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH).

This qualification will enhance the career prospects of those working in many settings where knowledge and skills in health and social care management or policy making is relevant. Graduates from our existing programmes report improved career choices and advancement as a result of learning acquired on this programme.

Many have gone on to careers as drug and alcohol rehabilitation managers, managers of learning disability services, primary care development managers, day centre managers, sure start programme managers, health visitor managers, prison service managers, residential and nursing care home managers, advisors in local authorities, community care managers, managed policy research, service commissioners, public health consultants and policy makers.

You will be required to have:

• a good honours degree in a health-related subject or sociology, psychology, the social sciences or politics, or the ability to demonstrate the knowledge base, academic skills and motivation to benefit from and succeed in an advanced level award (Applicants with lower qualifications but substantial work or voluntary experience in a relevant area may be considered)

We're looking for motivated applicants who have a degree in health, management, policy, social care or related subjects and can demonstrate their knowledge base, strong analytical abilities that are underpinned by academic skills. Health and social care managers or policy makers with substantial relevant work experience may be considered and are also encouraged to apply. Experienced clinical staff or senior practitioners moving into a management role will be considered.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.