MSc Health and Public Service Management
The MSc Health and Public Service Management course has been designed for professionals working in healthcare organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors. The University has a long tradition of providing high quality healthcare management courses and has successfully delivered similar postgraduate programmes for over 20 years.
During the MSc Health and Public Service Management, you will examine the challenges facing healthcare and related public service areas, making strong links between academic theory and management practice to create a relevant context. You will also specialise in a key area through your chosen dissertation topic.
Please note, due to the high volumes of applications received, we are no longer accepting new applications from international students who wish to start this course in January or February 2023. Applications from students in the UK or EU are still being accepted. For more information, please visit our International website. Any new international applications received for the January/February 2023 intakes will be withdrawn.
However, International students can apply to study this course from September 2023. Whilst there is no set deadline to apply, we would recommend making an application as soon as possible.
You will study 180 credits over the duration of the MSc Health and Public Service Management course. The modules you will study are:
Postgraduate Certificate
- Managing Resources and Projects (20 credits)
Develop the capability of dealing with current issues associated with resourcing the UK public sector. - Managing People and Organisations in the Public Sector (20 credits)
Analyse key concepts in organisational behaviour and management and evaluate these in a public sector context. - Strategy and Leadership (20 credits)
Critically evaluate various approaches to strategy and leadership in the public service context and gain the practical skills to lead and manage services effectively.
Postgraduate Diploma
- Health, Policy and Innovation (20 credits)
Develop an awareness of different theoretical approaches to health and policy making and the ability to promote reflective thinking around public service innovation. - Partnership Service Improvement and Delivery (20 credits)
Critically appraise recent approaches to managing and improving performance. You’ll examine and analyse the opportunities and constraints of providing collaborative public services. - Conducting Research (20 credits)
Develop your ability to plan, execute and write up a piece of research whilst gaining a critical understanding of the nature of social and policy research.
MSc
You will complete a 60 credit dissertation on a topic you have selected.
Subject to revalidation from 2021
This course is subject to revalidation, this means it is under review as part of the University’s standard quality assurance and enhancement processes. Course and module content is indicative and may change through the revalidation process. As soon as the course is revalidated, the details will be confirmed and published on the University website.
In the unlikely event the course does not go ahead as planned, or is significantly amended, we will write to inform you. If this happens, we’ll help you to find a suitable alternative course either at USW or at another provider.
Teaching
During the MSc Health and Public Service Management course you will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Leaders from the public sector are regularly invited to deliver guest lectures on topics embedded within the course, so you will benefit from their wealth of experience.
Full-time study involves completing the six taught modules and a dissertation over one full academic year. You will have 12 class contact hours over two days each week – Wednesdays and Thursday between 2-8pm.
For part-time students, the taught component is delivered over two academic years, with a commitment of around six hours on one day each week. You can expect to complete the course over three academic years, but the flexible modular structure allows you to progress at your own pace and combine study with work and/or personal commitments. During the first year of the MSc you will study on Wednesdays between 2-8pm. On your second year you will study on Thursday’s between 2-8pm.
Assessment
You will be assessed by coursework for each module, usually through work-based assignments that involve the application of academic theory to work practice. Coursework can range from reports to poster presentations, and even speeches.
You will usually be expected to have an Honours degree of class 2:2 or above in any discipline.
For applicants who do not possess a degree, a minimum of two years’ middle management experience, with associated training may be taken into account via the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)/Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) mechanism (University regulations will apply). If you have relevant prior qualifications, you could obtain exemptions from certain modules.
The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.
August 2023 - July 2024 Fees
Full-time UK: £9500
Full-time International: £14950
Part-time UK: £1055 per 20 credits
August 2024 - July 2025 Fees
Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC
Part-time UK: TBC
Student Perks
At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.
Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.
Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.
Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
* Obligatory
| Item | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Other : Textbooks | £250 | Textbooks unlikely to exceed £250 per year |
Funding
Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs
Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.
USW Postgraduate 20% Alumni Discount 2023/24
The University of South Wales is offering a 20% reduction in tuition fees for all University of South Wales* graduates starting a taught/online*** MA,MSc, LLM,MBA or DBA course from September 2023 (this includes students starting a course in January/February 2024). T's and Cs apply. Click here for more details and eligibility criteria: USW Postgraduate Alumni Discount 2023/24
Apply directly to the University if you are applying for a part-time, professional or postgraduate course, an Erasmus/Exchange programme, the Legal Practice (part-time) course, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution.
This MSc Health and Public Service Management course will develop your understanding, competence and confidence if you are a manager, or aspire to a position of significant managerial responsibility, in healthcare and related public service areas.
Your studies will help develop and refine your management techniques in the context of the healthcare sector. Therefore, upon graduation, you will be equipped with a broad management skill-set that can be applied throughout a range of public services but will also enable you to specialise in a healthcare profession.
Our Careers and Employability Service
As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.
This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.
Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.
The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites: Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere, as well as living and studying in the same place. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.
It’s the community and friendships you’ll build that make this place special. Outside your studies you can experience our amazing sport facilities and Students’ Union.
Living in Halls is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We have high quality accommodation in Treforest, Cardiff and Newport.