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Course overview
Enhance your practical knowledge and understanding required for leading across a range of health and care systems.
Drawing on theory, research, and comparative analysis of international health systems, this Apprenticeship will provide you with a basis for understanding and achieving the ‘building blocks’ of high-quality care.
Course Structure
This is a 2 year Degree Apprenticeship.
30.09.24-13.12.24 (11 weeks)
Course highlights
Drawing on theory, research, and comparative analysis of international health systems, it equips you to achieve high-quality care through well-trained staff, efficient resource use, a culture of improvement, and integrated care. The Health Services Management Centre (HSMC), a leading UK centre for health and social care research and education, delivers award-winning leadership programmes that enhance staff work lives and improve patient care across healthcare settings. Our Health and Care System Leadership Level 7 Apprenticeship, aligned with the Senior Leader Apprenticeship Standard, offers a Postgraduate Diploma funded by the Apprenticeship Levy, with an option to pursue an MSc.
- The programme meets the ‘Triple Aim’ challenge of developing integrated approaches to improve care, improve population health, and reduce costs.
- Flexible mode of delivery to suit both learner and employer needs through a hybrid of online and on-campus delivery.
- Modular delivery limits the impact of study on work commitments, with each module containing face-to-face learning and supported online learning.
- Enrolment on the programme enables learners to build new networks and connections, develop as system leaders, and work with new ideas and approaches to solve organisational and system challenges.
- In addition to their Apprenticeship, the University provides apprentices with membership of the Chartered Management Institute for the duration of the programme and one year afterwards as either Chartered Managers or Chartered Fellows.
Flexible mode of delivery to suit both learner and employer needs, through a hybrid of online and on-campus delivery.
Course delivery
The different modules on the programme will examine the strategic, political and policy context of system leadership in health and care.
Flexible mode of delivery to suit both learner and employer needs through a hybrid of online and on-campus deliveryModular delivery limits the impact of study on work commitments, with each module containing face-to-face learning and supported online learning.
Module information
Our Health and Care System Leadership Level 7 Apprenticeship, aligned to the Senior Leader Apprenticeship Standard, will allow you to gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Care System Leadership funded by the Apprenticeship Levy (120 credits). On successful completion of the PgDip, you will have the opportunity to gain a MSc.
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
- Good first degree or an equivalent professional qualification
Subject to interview (and sometimes to a special test) candidates without a first degree may be admitted onto this programme. It will also be at the discretion of your employer whether you meet their requirements for the course.
Fees and scholarships
This course is fully funded via the employer Apprenticeship Levy, there will be no costs incurred by you.
All employers who have a payroll over £3 million pay an Apprenticeship Levy. They can use this levy to fund your enrolment on the programme.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship we offer you the opportunity to achieve a full Masters level qualification via completion of a 60 credit dissertation. The cost of completing the Masters will be £4,000 which can be funded by the employer or individual, or a combination of both. Discounts and scholarships may be applied in certain circumstances, please contact us to discuss.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.