Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Management
Validated by University of Buckingham
Bridging the gap between business and healthcare, our one year, online Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Management is for management-level or aspiring management healthcare professionals looking to advance their leadership, industry and management skills.
We are committed to nurturing bold healthcare leaders who thrive in collaborative environments and are unafraid to challenge the status quo to improve outcomes.
Drawing on core functions of business administration with a combination of traditional and rapidly emerging business management subjects, this healthcare management diploma seeks to address the complex challenges facing healthcare managers to help them make more informed decisions.
Next intake: September 2025Key Facts
Our diploma in healthcare management will provide you with the knowledge and capabilities required to develop a comprehensive understanding of the organisational environment, enabling you to deliver effective ethical leadership and management navigation in a variety of healthcare settings.
Designed to fit around your schedule, studying our diploma in healthcare management online means you can advance your career in healthcare without interference to your day-to-day commitments.
Prepare to engage with a peer network of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals around the globe, who you will have the opportunity to learn from and share best practice in your respective disciplines and locations. This in turn allows you to develop a global perspective, strengthening your ability to manage and respond in various healthcare scenarios.
On successful completion of our PGDiploma in Healthcare Management, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate academic knowledge, generate critical debate and apply processes around emerging themes of healthcare management.
- Apply a range of leadership skills to complex decision making in healthcare contexts whilst being reflective, critical and insightful to maximise the effectiveness of human resources in a healthcare setting.
- Encourage the application of systematic/creative approaches to improve healthcare services through understanding how knowledge, skills and experiential learning may be used effectively to develop improved working practises, performance and patient care.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of contemporary and established healthcare issues by focusing on evaluating and integrating theory and practice in the context of effective and problematic healthcare administration issues.
Accreditors and Endorsers
The Chartered Institute of Marketing
This programme has been approved by The Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Validating partner
University of Buckingham
The University of Buckingham is the only independent university in the UK with a Royal Charter, and also one of the smallest with around 2,700 students, who study for honours degrees in two intensive years of study. The University houses its own medical school and was ranked first for student satisfaction in 2018, 2019 and 2020 by the Complete University Guide.
Faculty
Programme Leader
Dr Clare Holt
Current post: Associate Professor Leadership in Healthcare
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme, NHS Leadership Academy, University of Birmingham
- Programme Lead MSc/PGDip Leadership in Healthcare, Learna Ltd/University of South...
Frequently Asked Questions
For a full list of our FAQs visit our FAQs page.
As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.
Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.
Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.
When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.
You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.
You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.
The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.
We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.
Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.
Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.
All of our courses are delivered in English, so proficiency in the English language is essential for success. If English is not your first language, we require proof of competency as part of your application. We accept the following as proof of English Language skills:
We Accept a Range of English Language Qualifications
While IELTS and TOEFL are among the most commonly used English tests, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds — and we’re happy to work with you to accept a wide range of other recognised English language qualifications.
We accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Our most commonly accepted test, IELTS is globally recognised and widely used for university admissions.
We accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another widely accepted test, TOEFL assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an academic setting.
We accept English Medium of Instruction (EMI) Letters
Many of our international students provide an EMI (English Medium Instruction) letter from their previous institution. This letter should confirm that you were taught in the medium of English. It is a popular and widely accepted form of proof, especially if you have completed prior academic studies in English.
Our University partners Requirements
The University of South Wales and The University of Wolverhampton accept an overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 for each band) and The University of Buckingham accepts an overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 for each band).
Our Flexible Instalment Plan is designed to offer ultimate flexibility to pay for your programme. You have the choice of two payment options:
Make an Upfront Payment in Full: For those who prefer to settle their fees upfront, you can pay the full amount at the beginning of your programme.
Interest-Free Payments: Alternatively, you can choose to spread your payments out with interest-free instalments every other month for the duration of your course.
These options are separate from our existing lending partners, which you can explore further on our programme pages. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and our Flexible Instalment Plan is just one of the ways we are committed to supporting you in your academic journey.
We currently offer two discounts: the Early Bird Discount and the Action Taker Discount. The Early Bird discount allows you to save up to £500 or more, available only to self-funders and is a limited-time offer that runs for the entirety of November for the March cohort or the entirety of May for the September cohort. Our Action Taker Discount allows you to save up to £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify for Action Takers, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance. This discount is not available during February and August and not available in combination with the Early Bird Discount.
For Early Bird Discounts, the discount is visible if your application and acceptance are completed within the required timeframe. For Action Taker Discounts, it will reflect once conditions are met.
Next intake: September 2025 Key Facts
Programme Leader
Dr Clare Holt
Current post: Associate Professor Leadership in Healthcare
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme, NHS Leadership Academy, University of Birmingham
- Programme Lead MSc/PGDip Leadership in Healthcare, Learna Ltd/University of South Wales
- Associate of Warwick Business School
- PhD Relational Leadership
- Executive Coach, AoEC
- Associate CIPD
Dr Clare Holt has worked with a variety of audiences across organizational boundaries, including middle to senior managers, company directors and CEOs, senior civil servants, politicians and peers. A creative thinker, Dr Holt strives to bridge her academic learning and research skills into practical settings across a variety of public and private organizations, particularly in all aspects of leadership in healthcare. Her focus in research, writing and teaching has involved most aspects of leadership, but predominantly features relational leadership, leading change and collaborative engagement in complex times.
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Why Study a Healthcare Management Postgraduate Diploma with Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
100% Flexible
Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.
Multidisciplinary - study in a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
Expert Led
All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.
Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.
Career Boosting
Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.
40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.
Who is this course for?
The online Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Management offers emerging and aspiring executives and senior managers with a scheme of study that develops their academic, critical, reflective and practical understanding of managing complex organisations in a rapidly evolving contemporary global business environment. Subsequently, the programme aims to develop students’ capacity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to help them develop their career and take up successful managerial and leadership positions in the future.
We like students who challenge the status quo, who wake up ambitious and love working with other professionals.
It will provide students with:
- Contemporary knowledge and understanding of management theory and practice
- Theoretical and applied perspectives
- The ability to apply knowledge and skills in various organisations
How Will I Learn?
You'll learn through our flexible, interactive online platform, which allows you to engage with clinical cases, complete assignments, and collaborate with fellow students at times that suit your schedule. There's no fixed timetable—simply log in daily to participate in the week's activities.
Learn through engaging discussion
Our teaching approach is highly interactive, using small groups of 10-20 students to foster a collaborative environment where you can engage in thoughtful discussions and receive guidance from your tutor. You'll have access to learning resources and discussion forums that encourage ongoing interaction and deeper engagement with the material.
Throughout your studies, you'll receive support from a dedicated expert tutor and our Student Support Team, ensuring you have the resources needed to navigate the course successfully.
Curriculum
The online Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Management will be formed of six 20 credit modules over 12 months. Allowig you to study a variety of interesting and relevant topics.Module Aims
The aim of this module is to develop the understanding of organisational behaviour, when applied to a variety of healthcare settings, with a focus on structural and cultural environments.
Module Summary
This first module sets the foundations of Organisational Behaviour within the context of healthcare. Its focus on organisational theories and concepts is to build a greater critical understanding of prominent aspects of organisational theory and structure, the social organisation and multidisciplinary teams, and the importance of culture and motivating others.
Indicative content:
- Introduction to Organisational Behaviour
- What is an ‘Organisation’?
- The Social Healthcare Organisation
- Organisational Cultures in Healthcare
- Motivational Theory
- Human Resources
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of organisational behaviours and issues in healthcare organisations informed by relevant research and novel practice in the field.
- Build an understanding of criticality and reflexivity in applying academic theories and concepts into practice.
- Demonstrate originality, insight and critical/reflective practice to solve problems and create innovative propositions related to organisational behaviours.
- Use systematic and creative approaches to address complex issues related to organisational behaviours, including undertaking critical thinking and reflective practice to provide confident judgement and apply appropriate courses of action.
- Develop skills to contribute to evidence-based decision making in order to influence organisational outcomes.
Module Aims
The overall aim of this module is to consider the different paradigms and approaches to leadership. Critically exploring the historical ‘heroic’ theories, building to the importance of collaborative and systems leadership, and applying these differing leadership perspectives of person, position and process into healthcare practice, will allow exploration and improved knowledge in leading healthcare challenges.
Module Summary
The module will delve deeper into what leadership means, exploring leadership theories to support greater critical thinking in considering what leadership means in supporting a more sustainable healthcare organisation.
Indicative content:
- Leadership versus Management
- Leadercentric’ Theories
- Followership: the other side of leadership
- Person, Position, Process, Product: collaborative leadership theories
- Power and Leadership
- Leadership challenges in Healthcare (Adaptive Leadership)
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- Develop a critical understanding of what leadership theories mean in practice and applied in context, with a focus on the impending complex challenges facing healthcare systems.
- Building on the traditional leadership theories of the ‘person,’ critically evaluate the more advanced theoretical frameworks considering leadership as a ‘process’, recognition and insights will be shared as to why leading collaboratively has the potential to critically develop more systematic responses in suggesting new ideas to unpredictable healthcare leadership challenges.
- Building on personal experiences in leadership, apply learning to develop advanced interpersonal, team and networking skills to strategically enhance collaboration across organisational boundaries to address complex situations and contribute to the field of healthcare leadership with greater confidence.
Module Aims
The module aims to develop a systematic understanding and critical application of strategic management to ensure a responsible yet innovative and sustainable approach within the complex context of healthcare.
Module Summary
The module builds on the foundations of strategic management thinking to further develop understanding of strategy which supports innovation in healthcare. This is undertaken by exploring, critically and reflectively, contemporary approaches to enable appropriate and informed strategic decisions with a focus on sustainable development.
Indicative content:
- What is Strategy? Exploration of various definitions
- Models and frameworks: which are relevant in healthcare?
- Stakeholders and power mapping
- Contemporary issues in strategic thinking
- Strategic focus on sustainability and the future of healthcare
- Healthcare in 2050: a discussion
Learning Outcomes
- Apply a systematic understanding of strategic management, to develop a high level of critical thinking to understand the value of strategy and innovation for the future of healthcare.
- Select advanced principles and theoretical frameworks in strategic management to critically develop systematic responses to explore and develop sustainable innovation for the future of healthcare.
- Practically explore and apply strategic thinking and innovate for the future, working with stakeholders to address the complex needs and increased demands on healthcare organisations.
Module Aims
This module aims to develop students' understanding and interpretation of financial management in healthcare, to make more informed decisions to influence and assist the impact of this function on the principles and practices of healthcare management decision making.
Module Summary
To introduce and support a more comprehensive understanding of financial management in healthcare, along with being able to better interpret and apply financial statements, budgeting, costing and investment appraisal in financial and business decision making.
Indicative content:
- Introduction to financial terminology for the service sector
- Management accounting in decision making
- Sources of healthcare finance
- Budgeting and budgetary control
- The role and use of different financial statements
- Financial challenges in healthcare – discussion
Learning Outcomes
- Recognition and understanding of financial management at a local level to be more effective and efficient in providing high quality care to patients and other service users.
- Systematically analyse incomplete and/or contradictory evidence, to be better informed at influencing financial planning and contribute realistic recommendations to improve financial sustainability.
- Develop skills and knowledge to systematically organise and communicate advanced financial management to effectively and confidently use financial data to better inform healthcare stakeholders in unpredictable and complex contexts.
Module aims
The aim of this module considers the traditional philosophies and processes of marketing, then critically applies what it means in healthcare organisations - public and private. Analysing and developing a comprehensive understanding as to how marketing in the service sector of healthcare is potentially more about communication and setting expectations, the importance of ethics will also be explored in recognition of the expanse of stakeholders, departments and specialisms.
Module Summary
This module is designed to challenge the traditional concept of marketing to critically analyse what it means to communicate with stakeholders across healthcare organisations, exploring what is meant by a communication strategy and what is involved in better engaging the public.
Indicative content:
- What is marketing? Philosophy or Process?
- Marketing in the healthcare context: Ethics and Expectations
- ‘Consumers’ and evaluating the market
- Developing communication and marketing strategies in healthcare
- Social-media in marketing – audience and ethics
- Organising, implementing and controlling marketing in healthcare
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- Consider the importance of developing and delivering a comprehensive marketing strategy, analysing the impact and ethics on the diverse mix of stakeholders.
- Build on experience and skills to critically explore how marketing frameworks can be adapted to influence internal and external communications in healthcare organisations.
- Through research and discussing practical experiences, hone skills to think how marketing and communication can be better targeted to influence the required audience via the appropriate media, using the appropriate language to communicate during unpredictable healthcare management situations.
Module aims
This module aims to explore how to effectively manage and lead change within complex healthcare organisations. Taking into account some of the traditional change management theories, these will then be critically applied in addressing the inhibitors to change, along with gaining insights into some of the important drivers for change. These include why is the ‘change’ necessary’, change in line with quality improvement (especially in line with patient/user safety) and the importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity.
Module Summary
This module will cover the more popular models and theories of change management, while systematically being encouraged to critically evaluate their practice and process of applying them in healthcare organisations, whilst addressing the challenges of effective long term change.
Indicative content:
- Change Management theories
- What are the inhibitors to change?
- Drivers for change: Why change?
- Drivers for change: Clinical Governance
- Drivers for change: Patient safety and quality improvement
- Drivers for change: Diversity and Inclusivity
Learning Outcomes
- Appraise the impact of a variety of organisational change theories, recognising why change can be so complex in the context of prevailing social, economic and health care systems.
- Critically apply theories and practical examples to evaluate methods of leading effective and relevant change to benefit the future of healthcare.
- By considering why change is necessary and what inhibits change, critically discuss effective techniques in line with how to influence and drive complex and innovative change in healthcare.
Assessment Methods
This programme emphasises learning through active participation in case-based discussions, reflection, and real-life scenarios. Students engage with clinical cases that mirror everyday practice, fostering problem-solving and evidence-based application from the very beginning.
Across the modules, assessments are integrated with learning. Each week, you will work through two to three clinical cases, discussing and reflecting on them with peers under the guidance of an expert tutor. These discussions form the core of your learning and are also the basis for your assessments.
Our innovative teaching methods are designed to help you translate this learning into real-world clinical practice. You'll need to regularly log in to participate in discussions, ideally on a daily basis, and commit approximately two hours per day to your studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter, from navigating our online platform to managing deadlines.
How Foundational Knowledge is Developed
The programme is structured so that foundational knowledge is introduced through carefully designed clinical cases. Each case is crafted to highlight essential concepts and progressively deepen your understanding as you apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis. This hands-on approach ensures that you are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also learning how to apply it in a practical, clinical setting.
This programme is suited for professionals who thrive in an online, discussion-based learning environment. Please note that this course focuses on interactive, applied learning through peer collaboration and case discussions. You will be fully supported, encouraged and led through the programme to success and graduation!
Scenarios reflective of day-to-day work situations will be presented for students to consider and answer every week. Students critically discuss the concepts within their online group discussion forum facilitated throughout the module by their tutor and marked by them at the end of the module.
Students learn by finding relevant literature, reading and critically appraising it; discussing it within the discussion forum and applying it critically to real world examples and your own practice. The content of the scenario is based on the learning outcomes for the module.
The scenarios, reflective portfolio and the group work is carried on as the module progresses which ensures engagement throughout the module.
The reflective journal is used by students throughout each module to monitor personal progress. This is guided by weekly feedback from your tutor and is graded at the end of every module. The journal typically includes the following:
- Initial expectations and reasons for taking the course.
- Module and/or personal learning objectives.
- Description of events, issues and learning points within current personal practice.
- Change in every day practice due to knowledge gained on each module.
- A description of what has been learned during the module.
At the beginning of each module, students are presented with a module assignment. The module activity may take the form of an individual piece of work, such as an essay on a relevant topic, or may be a group activity, such as the creation of a marketing plan. This activity tests a student's ability to work independently or work within a team: to select, sift and analyse information, interact with colleagues and apportion group member’s roles and derive a solution to the module task.
The diverse assessment methods within each module are designed to test the expected characteristics of Masters graduates. These include critical awareness of current issues and developments in leadership, critical skills, knowledge of professional responsibility, integrity and ethics and the ability to reflect on their own progress as a learner.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Our digital doors are open to both local and international students from diverse educational and social backgrounds. We offer no international surcharge and believe having a multi-disciplinary and multi-national cohort is best for student development. Typically, applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Management will:
- Hold a minimum of a 2.1 degree
- Possess a degree (i.e. a minimum of a 2.1) awarded by a UK university or overseas equivalent
- Have 2 years' management experience
- Ability to communicate their ideas effectively - In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level and demonstrate the requisite professional knowledge.
- Basic IT skills
e.g. word-processing, email and internet will also be expected. - English Language
If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of English language skills:
- IELTS: 6.5 with 5.5 minimum in each skill
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade C or above
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Grade B or above
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): 60 with 51 in each component
- IBT TOEFL: 90 with no subtest less than 17
Course Fees
- Deposit for September 2025: £415 †
- Total Course Fees for UK & International Students for September 2025: £4,980 ††
Payment Options
- Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Pay-in-full discount is available.
- Option 2: Apply for Interest-free payments each month for the duration of the course.
Payment Plan Breakdown
| Deposit | 10 Monthly Payments | Final Payment |
| £415 † | £415 | £415 |
Total payments: £4,980
You may also be interested in:
- Spread the cost with Lendwise, who offer financing options for up to 8 years. ††††
† Deposits are non-refundable
†† Prices are subject to review following each intake
†††† Subject to eligibility criteria.
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Why Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online diploma courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
Our courses are some of the most affordable of their kind, providing value for money without compromising on quality. We also don't apply an international surcharge. No fixed timetable means you can log in & learn on the go, at your convenience.
Being totally online means we can select the very best tutors and resource editors, no matter where they’re located.
Connect with multidisciplinary people around the world to expand your insights & broaden your career prospects.
Our programmes produce 90% fewer emissions than campus-based learning.
