MBA Healthcare Management

30 credits

This module will introduce you to key ideas of leadership and relates them specifically to healthcare systems.

You will be introduced to key ideas of contemporary leadership theory as well as practical tools that are capable of being used in a wide variety of contexts. Issues of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will inform thinking across the module – reflecting EDI issues across the staff team and the user base.

Leadership is about achieving organisational success through collaboration and management of organisational resources. As such, sustainability – financial and environmental – are key themes that run through the module.

Leadership is also about personal development in terms of being the most appropriate and influential type of leader – this module also explores diverse types of leaders in different cases/contexts. Healthcare managers have a clear role and responsibility to ensure that issues like employee voice, individual and cultural differences as well as skills development are appropriately and effectively managed.

This module provides a strong basis for healthcare managers to embrace the opportunities and challenges of healthcare management in light of the external factors facing the sector globally. You will explore various theoretical perspectives and assess their usefulness to healthcare contexts in light of the external environment, ethical considerations, sustainable management and an alignment for UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Throughout the module, you will engage in case study analyses, and group discussions to contextualise theoretical concepts. Practical workshops will involve critical analysis of real-life cases to address a range of leadership and managerial problems.

In this way, you will develop commercial awareness and recognise drivers for business success in the health and social care landscape. You will also have the opportunity to explore a range of electronic resources and work with others and communicate your views on key topics in weekly workshops.

Teaching and learning

The teaching delivery will consit of one, one-hour lecture and a three-hour workshop each week.

Lectures will be developed around the key concepts and theories used in leadership and management perspectives and will use a range of examples and cases from business practice and wider society to demonstrate the application of concepts.

Seminars will focus particularly on the elaboration of specific theoretical approaches with reference to their possible application to healthcare contexts through the selection of relevant cases studies which are likely to arise in organisational, management, and business situations within the healthcare environment. Seminars will also include the discussion of case studies and business/ethical dilemmas.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a critical essay (50%) and a presentation (50%).

In this module you will develop the financial knowledge and analytical skills needed to support effective business decision-making. You will explore financial reporting, financial statement analysis, ratio analysis, balanced scorecards and investment appraisal techniques, applying these tools to evaluate organisational performance. The module also examines sustainability reporting, artificial intelligence, economic change and other emerging factors influencing financial performance. Through the analysis of real business scenarios, you will learn to interpret financial and non-financial information, assess organisational performance and make evidence-based recommendations, preparing you to support strategic decision-making across a wide range of business and hospitality organisations.

30 credits

This module explores innovation and change management within the context of healthcare. It examines key theories and processes related to innovation and change, recognising that the increasing pressures on healthcare service provision necessitate effective change management.

Innovation offers a means of enhancing productivity, improving patient outcomes, and reducing costs at the point of delivery. The implementation of innovation and change management requires healthcare systems to adopt new ways of working and operating. While such changes can be beneficial, they may also present disruptive challenges; healthcare professionals must adapt to new practices, and patients are increasingly empowered to demand higher standards of care. 

The module will commence by exploring major trends, including the impact of artificial intelligence, big data, and the rise of telemedicine. It will consider the nature of innovation and its theoretical foundations, with particular focus on the role of disruptive innovation.

Specific examples of product and service innovation within the healthcare sector will be examined, alongside an analysis of the challenges innovation poses for organisations. Organisational culture is highlighted as a crucial factor in determining the success of innovation and change management initiatives. Furthermore, the module will address the importance of personalisation in healthcare delivery and the critical role of user experience in shaping effective healthcare solutions. 

Teaching and learning

The teaching delivery on this module consists of one, one-hour hour lecture and one, three-hour workshop per week.  

The lectures will be developed around the key concepts and frameworks used in healthcare innovation and change management perspectives as mentioned in the indicative course content and will use a range of examples and cases from business practice and wider society to demonstrate the application of concepts. 

The workshops will focus particularly on the elaboration of specific theoretical approaches with reference to their possible application to healthcare contexts through the selection of relevant cases studies which are likely to arise in organisational, management, and business situations within the healthcare environment. Workshops will include the discussion of case studies and business challenges in light of technological change and innovation.  

You will also have 30 minutes of online support.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by an individual report (50%) and an individual poster presentation and 1,000-word supporting analysis and self-reflection on personal learning (50%).

30 credits

This module explores the concepts and frameworks integral to strategic decision-making within the healthcare sector, equipping you with the tools and skills necessary to manage and lead organisations in both domestic and international healthcare contexts.

Topics include an analysis of the external healthcare environment and industry dynamics, identifying and leveraging unique organisational resources, core competences, and dynamic capabilities. Many of the classic business tools such as PESTLE and SWOT are included. Additionally, key tools related to business improvement such as benchmarking – including benchmarking against international best practice – and the Balanced Scorecard are evaluated.

Sustainability will be considered as a key requirement driving strategic decision making.

Throughout this module, you will engage in case study analyses and group discussions to apply theoretical concepts within the context of the healthcare industry. Interactive workshops will focus on the critical evaluation of real-world healthcare challenges, enabling you to address a variety of strategic problems specific to this sector.

The impacts of evolving technologies will be considered in depth. These activities will help you to develop an understanding of the complexities of healthcare management, build commercial awareness, and identify key drivers of success in healthcare organisations.

Additionally, you will collaborate with peers, share diverse perspectives, and refine communication skills, preparing you to take a successful career path in the dynamic and evolving healthcare landscape with awareness of the fundamental importance of equity, diversity and inclusion across healthcare.

This module develops analytical skills, strategic decision-making capabilities, critical thinking to evaluate environment, resources, and strategies. By applying tools to a health industry case, you will build practical expertise in strategic management. This application of theory to practice simulates reality and will enable you to bridge between theory and practice and enhance your ‘business readiness’.

The emphasis on critical evaluation ensures you understand not just the application but also the limitations of strategic tools, fostering adaptability and resilience in dynamic business environments.

Teaching and learning

The teaching delivery for this module consists of one, one-hour lecture and one, three-hour workshop per week.

Lectures will be developed around the key concepts and frameworks used in strategic decision-making and as mentioned in the indicative course content and will use a range of examples and cases from healthcare industry to demonstrate the application of concepts.

Seminars will concentrate particularly on the elaboration of specific theoretical approaches with reference to their application through the selection of business cases which are likely to arise in organisational, management, and business situations. Seminars will also include the discussion of case studies and business dilemmas.

You will also have 30 minutes of online support.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a case study report (70%) and a presentation (30%).

30 credits

In this module you will work in cross-disciplinary teams to solve a real strategic challenge set by a London-based organisation. Applying the knowledge and skills developed throughout your programme, you will analyse complex business problems, evaluate evidence and develop practical recommendations for employers. Following a structured consultancy process, you will present your findings to a panel of academic and industry professionals, gaining valuable experience of collaborative problem-solving and professional communication. You will also complete an individual critical reflection, evaluating your contribution, considering different disciplinary perspectives, and identifying key insights to support your future professional development and leadership.

30 credits

In this module you will develop the knowledge, confidence and critical thinking needed to use artificial intelligence responsibly in professional settings. You will explore how AI works, understand its strengths and limitations, and evaluate AI-generated outputs with a critical perspective. Through hands-on projects using real AI tools, you will examine ethical issues such as bias, fairness and governance while considering discipline-specific challenges. You will also learn how to assess AI adoption, communicate complex AI concepts to non-specialist audiences, and make informed decisions in AI-augmented workplaces, drawing on real-world examples from London's leading industries and professional sectors.