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MSci Health Management and Leadership - Intercalated Degree

Start date
September / October annually depending on published term dates.
Duration
1 year Full Time
Course Type
Undergraduate, Intercalated

As a medical or dentistry student, you may choose to take a year out from your course to study Health Management and Leadership. Established in 2016 with now over 70 graduates, this pioneering degree is one of the first of i'ts kind in the UK to explore how management and leadership shape health services.

All doctors are becoming increasingly engaged with management and leadership, whether they work in hospitals, general practice or in the community and whether they assume managerial responsibilities or not; for example, some doctors will, during their career, take on formal managerial responsibilities (eg. clinical director or medical director). This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of management and leadership in health care settings. 

During this year you will specialise in a particular subject, acquire skills in analysing and interpreting research papers and also gain substantial, direct experience of novel research. You will develop you own research project, with the support of the programme tutors. You will be responsible for gaining ethical approval, if required (it won’t be required for literature reviews, or when using secondary data), and for recruitments, data collection and analysis, and writing up the project. If you wish to consider publication of you project after the dissertation has been completed, support for that will be available. 

The following publications have been HML graduates based on their projects:

  •  Chick, W., & Exworthy, M. (2017). Post-Brexit views of European Union doctors on their future in the NHS: a qualitative study. BMJ Leader, 2, 20-24.
  • Cuckow, L., & Ghezelayagh, S. (2017). Intercalating in healthcare management and leadership. BMJ, 359, j3384.
  • Ganeshan, P., & Baburi, M. (2021). UK Trainee Cardiothoracic Surgeons’ Perceptions of Public Outcome Reporting in Surgery: A Mixed-Methods Study. Cureus, 13, e20253.
  • Hussain, N.M., Spiers, J., Kobab, F., & Riley, R. (2023). The Impact of Race and Gender-Related Discrimination on the Psychological Distress Experienced by Junior Doctors in the UK: A Qualitative Secondary Data Analysis. Healthcare, 11, 834.
  • Ibrahim, D., & Riley, R. (2023). Female Medical Students’ Experiences of Sexism during Clinical Placements: A Qualitative Study. Healthcare, 11, 1002.
  • Kang, H.S., & Exworthy, M. (2022). Wearing the Future—Wearables to Empower Users to Take Greater Responsibility for Their Health and Care: Scoping Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 10, e35684.
  • Morad, R., Kumar, H., & Snelling, I. (2021). Dissecting leadership education and assessment in surgery. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 98, 735-737.
  • Morrison, K. (2021). Artificial intelligence and the NHS: a qualitative exploration of the factors influencing adoption. Future Healthcare Journal, 8, e648-e654.
  • Pathmanathan, A., & Snelling, I. (2023). Exploring reasons behind UK doctors leaving the medical profession: a series of qualitative interviews with former UK doctors. BMJ Open, 13, e068202.
  • Yannoulias, B., Exworthy, M., & Roberts, K.J. (2021). ‘Fast-track’ pathway for resectable pancreatic cancer: barriers and facilitators to implementation across a regional network. Future Healthcare Journal, 8, e717-e721.

The programme directors would be pleased to discuss the programme with you. Please email Mark Exworthy (M.Exworthy@bham.ac.uk) or Iain Snelling  (I.N.Snelling@bham.ac.uk). You can also follow us on Twitter: @UoBHML. 

Health Services Management Centre

HSMC was founded in 1972 to support the NHS through a large reorganisation, and for over 50 years has been one of the UK’s leading centres for research and education in health services. Our research is grouped into 6 areas:

  • Workforce
  • Innovation and Improvement
  • Decision making
  • Collaboration
  • Care
  • Global

50-years-of-hsmc

Our education programmes include an online MBA in Cinicial Leadership in collaboration with Birmingham Business School, an MSc in Health Care Policy and Management, and Master’s level apprenticeships in Health and Care System Leadership and Healthcare Leadership. We have for many years delivered the educational component of the General Management stream of the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, which has been ranked 3rd in the prestigious The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers ranking. In the University of Birmingham Dubai campus, HSMC will be starting an MSc in Global Health System Leadership in January 2025. Find out more about the HSMC.

Modules

This is a full-time course running for one year. The programme requires the completion of 120 credits as follows:

Semester 1

Health Services Management

This module is taken with HSMC students taking a Masters programme. Many of these students will be practising managers in health and social care, and many will be clinicians. There will also be overseas students studying full time, many of whom will be clinicians. This module will help you to integrate into the HSMC community, and give opportunities to work with a range of students and staff in your learning. 

The module explores:

  • the complex range of tasks faced and roles undertaken by health care managers
  • key concepts regarding the organisation, funding and provision of health care services
  • strategic planning and how to set priorities as part of the strategic planning process.
  • health management decision making including health inequalities, performance management, workforce planning and digital health
  • population health needs and requirements including public involvement, strategic commissioning, and service integration.
  • leadership and management challenges in achieving large scale change across health systems.

Leadership and Improvement

This module is for our HML students only, and will run for the whole of the first term. This will give you the opportunity to work closely with your HML colleagues throughout the whole year. 

The module explores:

  • the application of a range of theories of leadership and change management to different health services contexts
  • keys areas of service performance, particularly related to the quality and safety of services
  • the use of specific tools and techniques to improve services, and the leadership required for their successful use.
  • the requirements of clinicians to be leaders, and the outcomes of clinical leadership
  • your likely leadership development needs as you start your medical career.

Health Research Methods

This module is taken with other intercalating students, particularly those taking Public and Global Health Sciences. Your dissertation supervisor will be allocated early in the terms as you develop your research ideas to ensure that you are fully supported in the research.

The module explores:

  • a range of commonly used health related research study designs and methodologies
  • methods available to collect and analyse research data, including those generated by common quantitative and qualitative health research approaches
  • the development of a research study rationale and justification
  • enhanced core research skills including those related to academic writing; research project planning and management; research communication; public involvement and engagement; and impact activities
  • ethical principles and concepts to the design and conduct of health research, including obtaining ethical approval.

Semester 2

  • Health management and leadership research project
  • You will receive specialist training and training in research methods (both theoretical and applied) in semester one. The project will be devised in semester one and data collection, analysis and write-up completed in semester two. All students will have a nominated academic supervisor to support their research activity and will have access to research and statistics support through our research clinics system.
  • Each student will have an academic supervisor (from HSMC) to oversee their research activity and may also have a clinical research supervisor. The Programme Lead, Professor Mark Exworthy, will offer support and guidance for all aspects of the course. You will also have access to research and statistics clinics which operate on a booking system and give you the opportunity to discuss specific issues with a relevant academic.

As a Birmingham student you are part of an academic elite and will learn from world-leading experts. From the outset you will be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner. We want you to be challenged and will encourage you to think for yourself. 

Your learning will take place in a range of different settings, from scheduled teaching in lectures and small group tutorials, to self-study and peer group learning (for example preparing and delivering presentations with your classmates). This intercalated programme will include a seminar programme with leading speakers on medical leadership, who are regularly contributors to the work of HMSC. 

Fees

Standard Fees Apply

All students are entitled to reclaim up to £500 project expenses for conduction of their research. Claims must be accompanied by original receipts. Further to this students who incur travel costs are eligible to apply for an Arthur Thomson Travel Award (up to £500). Applications for these awards will be considered at the end of the programme of study and are not guaranteed. These sources of funding are available to all students irrespective of their primary University of study.

Internal bursaries

All students who are registered on the MBChB or Dental Programmes at the University of Birmingham are eligible to apply for a bursary to support them during their period of study. The intention to apply should be indicated on the application form and students expressing an intention will receive further information. Bursaries are currently set at £3,000 and are limited. Students with an overall mean mark of <65% in year 2 of their programme of study are unlikely to be awarded a bursary.

Our funding sources mean that we are unable to offer bursaries to students from outside of Birmingham.

External bursaries

The College usually receives an invitation each year from the Royal College of Physicians to submit a limited number of applications for their Wolfson intercalated programme. The deadline for this is usually the end of March which means the programme needs to shortlist by mid-March. Bursaries are up to £5000 and are nationally competitive. Our students have a very good record in securing such awards. Any student interested in applying needs to contact the PoSH Administration team by the 31st of January in the year in which they plan to apply. Eligible students should: 

  • Demonstrate a consistent and outstanding academic track record (an overall mean mark >70% in year 2 and consistently high marks in other years). N.B. Because of the need to show consistent academic achievement it is expected that students will be in year 3 or 4 at the time of application. A second year applicant who can demonstrate excellence may be considered but should contact the admissions tutor at the earliest opportunity to discuss this).
  • Be applying for an intercalation in one of our science programmes (International Health, or Public Health and Population Sciences). As this bursary relates to science projects, students on humanities programmes (Health Management and Leadership, or History of Medicine) should not apply, but should make contact with the relevant programme lead to enquire whether there are any discipline specific bursaries currently available nationally.
  • Have a research focus or area of interest (Support will be given during February to develop this into an application).
  • Be prepared to work on their application (including designing a research project) during February and early March.

All eligible students who express an interest will have the opportunity to meet with the Admissions Tutor to discuss the application and receive guidance in drafting an application. Further to this there will be the opportunity to submit one draft application by the 28th February for comment. All students will then be required to submit their application by the specified deadline (varies annually but likely to be mid-March). Students will be informed if their application has been selected for submission to the Royal College within 2 weeks. Any student submitted will receive an early and unconditional place on the programme. Unsuccessful applicants will be able to use their work in their application for an internal bursary.

How To Apply

Please contact the Intercalation team mdsintercalationenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk to make enquiries and apply.


Applications for this programme will be accepted from students wishing to intercalate after year 3 or 4 of their medical studies, or year 2 for Dental students. Students must have obtained >60% in the second year of MBChB or BDS to be eligible. Applicants will be ranked on their year 2 mark and on their answers to the questions on the application form. 

Please note: students who have failed to achieve 60% may still apply, but are required to demonstrate a significant upward academic trajectory or excellence in specific areas related to the proposed intercalation. 

Applications from students not currently registered at Birmingham

We are happy to consider applications for any of the programmes within the Population Sciences and Humanities subjects from students from other institutions. We have a strong track record over recent years in supporting these students and facilitating integration into their new institution.

Applications from students from other universities should be made on our standard application form and must be accompanied by a transcript of marks from your current institution. Should an offer of a place be made to you further admission forms will be sent from the University via our Course Administrator.

We are always happy to discuss our programmes with students from other universities. If you have any queries or wish to discuss the opportunities available to you in Birmingham please contact the PoSH Administration team.

As a Birmingham student you are part of an academic elite and will learn from world-leading experts. From the outset you will be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner. We want you to be challenged and will encourage you to think for yourself.

Your learning will take place in a range of different settings, from scheduled teaching in lectures and small group tutorials, to self-study and peer group learning (for example preparing and delivering presentations with your classmates).

On completion of the programme, you should have knowledge and understanding of:

  • The theory and practice of management and leadership in contemporary health care organisations
  • The organisational factors which shape the delivery and performance of health services
  • The ways in which management and leadership in health care organisations can be improved
  • The research methods which can be used to investigate heath management and leadership
  • An understanding of the practical realities of conducting research in this field

Our teaching methods with emphasis on feedback and easy access to support strongly promote development of the following skills and attributes:

  • The ability to critically read and appraise research evidence
  • The ability to produce scientifically valid research
  • The ability to manage a research project from conception to completion with enhanced project management skills which will be transferable to other aspects of your career
  • The ability to effectively communicate ideas or scientific findings through a range of commonly used presentation mechanisms including oral presentation, poster presentation, production of a journal article and essay writing
  • Enhanced independent learning skills
  • Greater awareness of team working and skills to support this in clinical and academic settings
  • Improved ability to think logically and broadly about a range of problems, drawing on a variety of disciplines to support arguments 

Support and supervision

You will have at least one academic supervisor who will work with them closely during their research project. The programme lead, Professor Mark Exworthy, will offer general support on all aspects of the course, and other members of staff will provide support and guidance on their teaching areas. You will also have access to regular research clinics, both in ethics and qualitative research. These clinics are timetabled and operate a booking system.

Potential projects

A key feature of the HML programme is that you will be able to design your own research study which means you will be able to investigate an issue which you have a special interest in. The following list gives some possible areas based on our experience of over 70 research projects that have been completed by HML students since 2017. If you’d like to discuss possible ideas before you apply please contact one of the programme directors - Mark Exworthy (M.Exworthy@bham.ac.uk) or Iain Snelling  (I.N.Snelling@bham.ac.uk)

  • Comparative performance of the NHS in England and Wales
  • Role of GPs on Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • Application of lean management to the NHS
  • Quality improvement in inter-professional clinical care
  • Leadership challenges of clinical directors
  • Training needs of doctors in management positions
  • How can the NHS learn from other health systems?
  • Managerial implications of moving services from secondary to primary care
  • Leadership in integrated care
  • Women medical leaders
  • Managing poor medical performance

Assessment Methods

You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways, and these may be different with each module that you take. You will be assessed through coursework which may take the form of essays, and group and individual presentations.  At the beginning of each module, you’ll have all the information on how and when you’ll be assessed for that module. You’ll receive feedback on each assessment within three weeks, so that you can learn from and build on what you have done. 

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

All doctors in the UK need to have skills in management and leadership – they are part of the requirements of the GMC and are included in the specification for both undergraduate and postgraduate training. As a doctor you will be a leader in your clinical practice, especially as you become more senior in training. Leadership is widely seen as a role that can be widely dispersed across teams and at all levels, and so your leadership career can start from the beginning of your medical career.

Many formal management and leadership positions are available in the medical profession. There are a number of NHS Chief Executives who have a medical background, but not many.  NHS hospitals have Medical Directors on their Boards. The vast majority of medical managers are known as ‘hybrids’, where management and leadership responsibilities are combined with continuing medical practice. Clinical Directors leading specific services in a hospital may have 2 sessions per week for their management responsibilities, and will work closely with full time managers. In General Practice, GPs may be managing their own practice as well as getting involved with Primary Care Networks. There are many opportunities to lead in specific change projects or service improvement. Many doctors also develop leadership within the careers within education, professional bodies, and trade unions. So whether you are concentrating on leadership within your clinical teams, or wish to develop a career in more formal management position, the Health Management and Leadership programme will provide a firm foundation for your career.

Careers Network

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CV’s and job applications will help give you the edge. In addition, our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness, and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Find out more about Careers Network.