Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care (MSc)

If you're applying for the full time master's course, you need a 2.2 honours degree in a relevant subject from a clinical, health, science or social science background.

Three years' work experience is helpful, but not necessary.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Full-time master's*

On the full-time version of this master’s degree in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care your studies will run for a full 12 months. The first 8 months cover your taught modules.

Modules will begin from September 2021 and continue through April. Your dissertation research will start in May 2022 and work should be completed at the end of September, 2022.

Full-time Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate

If you’re a UK applicant interested in studying the PGDip or PGCert full-time, your studies are structured in the following ways:

• PGDip: you must study a total of 6 modules, excluding the dissertation, over 12 months
• PGCert: you must a total of 3 modules over 12 months

Part-time master's*, Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate

If you’re a UK applicant interested in studying part-time for the MSc, PGDip or PGCert your studies are structured in the following ways:

• MSc: you must study a total of 7 modules over 2 to 5 years
• PGDip: you must study a total of 6 modules over 2 to 4 years
• PGCert: you must study a total of 3 modules over 2 to 3 years

*You must have submitted the assessments for your modules before you submit the dissertation.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

On this course, you'll learn to:

• develop effective leadership skills
• reflect on your own leadership and decision-making traits
• understand and influence both group and organisational practices

You will also:

• test and explore your interactions with others
• enhance your healthcare leadership skills
• apply both observed and theoretical research to your practice

As well as lectures there's a strong focus on interactive learning. You’ll take part in simulations, discussions and games to bring together theory and practice.

Invited guest speakers will share their knowledge and you can join in discussions with active researchers, practitioners, patients, policy analysts, and clients.

You’ll need to complete supplementary reading and explore other online resources in advance of the class sessions.

Assessment

Assessment methods may include:

• designing policies, rules, pathways or strategies
• building a business case for service redesign
• evaluating a new or existing service or intervention
• completing a critical incident analysis
• analysing a problem in your own work environment
• interviewing co-workers, superiors, and/or clients
• reviewing and critically evaluating research

We encourage you to choose an assessment approach that has meaning to you and which you can immediately apply to your work.

Dissertation

For your dissertation you’ll plan and complete an independent, original project relevant to your current or future area of practice. This takes place over 10 months and starts in December.

You can select one of the following dissertation formats:

• A literature review: You'll find and review evidence relevant to your topic. You'll then present your findings and explain the implications for your practice
• A service improvement project: You’ll plan and complete a service improvement project in your area of practice. You’ll present the findings to relevant stakeholders such as patients, staff, managers, commissioners or service users

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge to take up leadership and management positions in health and social care. 

Our graduates work for organisations across the globe, including:

• the Care Quality Commission
• the World Health Organisation
• non-governmental organisations that provide health and social care in refugee camps

Their work includes:

• leading service improvement teams in NHS Trusts
• designing data collection and privacy policies in social care
• consulting
• pursuing doctoral studies in the UK and beyond

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Full-time study

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £30,300.

Part-time study (UK students only)

If you're a UK student and you choose to study part-time you can pay as you go for each module.

The cost of an individual module is £1249. Exceptions to this are:

• Leading Others (HLTH6120): £1405
• Dissertation, part-time (HLTH6213) and Dissertation, full-time (HLTH6214): £2186

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Health Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Health Sciences.

Find out more about the Southampton Health Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Presidential International Scholarship

A scholarship of up to £10,000 or 100% off your tuition fees is available to international students starting either an undergraduate or postgraduate master's degree in 2025.

Find out more about the Southampton Presidential International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You’ll need to submit two references, one professional reference and one academic reference.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• a degree transcript

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000