MSc Leading Digital Transformation

If you are a leader, a manager, or an individual who will use digital technology to instigate and drive transformational change within your health care organisation, this course is for you.

Our MSc in Leading Digital Transformation aims to support leaders to challenge traditional practice, to be more curious about processes, and to ‘think digital first’ to re-imagine and improve their organisation and services for the benefit of their users, stakeholders, and employees.

The course will improve your awareness of digitalisation, allow you to understand change management, teach you how to create and reimagine new capabilities using technology and transform you into a visionary leader.

To best support your learning journey, the course will be delivered through intensive short blocks of learning of up to four hours of online delivery per week, supported by more extended periods of investigation and application.

Participants will also be able to gain the ILM Level 7 Diploma in Leadership and Management (Registration fees apply).

Funding is only available for health and social care organisations in Wales. For the September cohort, places are 50% funded with a 50% employer contribution.

For further information about the MSc Leading Digital Transformation join us on one of our information sessions. This will give you an opportunity to meet our lecturers and ask questions before you apply.

2023
2024

Study Mode 2023	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
Part-time	2 Years	March	Online	8
Part-time	2 Years	September	Online	8

Study Mode 2024	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
Part-time	2 Years	March	Online	8
Part-time	2 Years	September	Online	8

The course uses three distinct strands of study which underpin the essence of digital transformation. That is:

Leadership
Digital Technology
Innovation and Change

These distinct strands combine at regular points throughout the course in the form of practical challenges which provide opportunities for students to investigate their own organisation to identify areas that may benefit from interventions with digital technology to make measurable improvements and impact.

Leading Digital Transformation - 20 Credits

The role of the leader in this context is to develop new ways of thinking, inspire motivate and drive forward transformation change. This module will develop your leadership skills and give you strategic tools to do just that.

Themes in this module include exploring and developing your skills in critical leadership practice and the key drivers for engagement and transformational change in the context of digital programmes and projects.

Exploring Digital Technology 1 (20 Credits)

This module looks at the key elements of working digitally in the Health and Care Sector. Using Global examples, we explore Understanding ‘digital’ culture, & thinking ‘digital first’.

Themes in this module include exploring broad definitions of digital and key concepts, exploring the potential of digital as a concept, introduction to key areas “internet of things’, exploration of various technologies and possibilities using appropriate case studies.

User-Centred Design Thinking (20 Credits)

The starting point for any transformation needs to be service users’ needs and solving the challenges and issues they face.

This module will involve exploring the design cycle, understanding the problem, design research methods, generating ideas, empathy mapping and ethnographic interviews, driving innovation in response to key stakeholder problems, an emphasis on team working.

Leading Digital Transformation Teams (20 Credits)

The leader can’t do it all. They need a team of subject matter experts to develop and design the right imitative and then deliver it.

The module covers leadership and management within a digital culture, agile practice and process, transforming self/teams/culture, project management within a digital context and user-centred design.

User Experience Design (20 Credits)

Exploring models of putting yourself in your service users’ shoes, we look at UX design concepts and practice, improving user experience through design in response to a key challenge from the stakeholder group and case studies of UX from within and outside the sector.

Exploring Digital Technologies 2 (20 credits)

Delving deeper into the world of technology we take an in-depth look at digital in practice and the art of the possible through; explorations of various digital themes and technologies and future developments, Big Data, data analytics, data visualisation, AI, Industry 4.0, 5G Mobile tech, cyber, ethics, and Data Protection

Applied Digital Transformation Project proposal (20 Credits) and Final Major Digital Transformation Project (40 credits)

In this work-based module, you will discover the difference you can make to your organisation and your service users through initiating and developing an impactful Digital Transformation and leading on taking it through to delivery.

Teaching

The course is delivered online and taught for four hours over a ½ day each week.

Students starting in September 2022 will study on a Thursday from 9am-1pm.
Students starting in March 2023 will study on a Wednesday from 9am-1pm.

Throughout the year, we bring in guests from the healthcare sector and other industries.

Assessment

There will be a mixture of assessments including assignments, presentations, professional discussions, and reflective journals.

Lecturers

Support

You will also be allocated a professional Coach who will work with you throughout the programme to help you embed your learning in the workplace. You will meet with your coach 6 times over the 2-year programme. You will also be part of Action Learning sets and meet for a half-day every 4 months.

We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

To be admitted for the MSc course, candidates will typically be required to hold a minimum UK 2nd class honours degree or recognised international equivalent qualification. Relevant work experience can also be taken into account.

The University of South Wales will consider all applicants on an individual basis and will satisfy itself that a candidate is of the required academic standard to complete the programme of study proposed, and is able to meet University’s English Language requirements.

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 2022 - July 2023 Fees

Part-time UK: £1030 per 20 credits

August 2023 - July 2024 Fees

August 2024 - July 2025 Fees

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.

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.

Leading Digital Transformation Funding

Funding is only available for health and social care organisations in Wales. Places are 75% funded with a 25% employer contribution until March 2023.

All students on the course will be experienced professionals within the Health and Care sector, who continue to be fully employed as well as having a variety of additional responsibilities.

Please apply directly with the University of South Wales using our online application form.

For more information on the course, please download the course brochure or email [email protected].

The Covid pandemic has given organisations the catalyst for change. It has given us opportunities like never before to explore and apply digital technologies into the Health and Care sector, which requires a new digitally-driven approach.

The MSC focuses on the development of highly capable leaders from across health, social care, 3rd sector and industry, equipping them with the skills they need to lead digital transformation as a whole system approach. The course will equip you to drive forward the changes needed to meet challenges in the long-term, post-Covid-19.  This includes exploring new technologies and fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation in applications that will improve the lives of citizens in Wales. It will apply learning and testing new approaches in digital leadership that can address the challenges facing us now and in the future. Be part of that change!