Advance your career in healthcare with a UK Master's Degree in Healthcare Management

Studying in the UK provides students with access to world-renowned universities, diverse academic opportunities, and a multicultural society, all of which can help broaden their horizons and enhance their prospects. The Healthcare Management course in the UK is designed for individuals who aspire to pursue a career in the medical field in a managerial role. As a healthcare manager, you play a vital role in the healthcare industry, even though you may not be directly involved in patient care in an operation theatre like a doctor or a nurse. Healthcare managers are responsible for overseeing the operations and administration of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.

Healthcare managers play a crucial role in ensuring the success and efficiency of healthcare organisations. The scope of healthcare management extends beyond hospitals and includes various other fields, making it an ideal career pathway for international students. Healthcare managers are instrumental in strategic planning, policy development, financial management, and leadership, among other critical areas. Their contributions are crucial to the smooth functioning and delivery of quality healthcare services.

Why study in the UK?

Studying in the UK is a highly sought-after choice for international students, offering a multitude of benefits that make it an attractive destination for higher education . Here are some compelling reasons why studying in the UK is a great choice:

  1. World-class education : Many UK universities consistently rank highly in global university rankings , providing students with access to top-notch faculty, cutting-edge research facilities, and innovative teaching methods.

  2. Diverse range of programs : The UK offers a wide range of programs and degrees across various disciplines, giving students ample opportunities to pursue their interests and passions.

  3. Strong international reputation : UK degrees are highly regarded by employers worldwide, opening up global career opportunities .

  4. Research opportunities : The UK has a strong emphasis on research and innovation, providing students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research projects.

  5. Pathway programs : Pathway or foundation courses are specifically designed to help international students develop the necessary language and skills to pursue higher education at UK universities , bridging the gap and preparing them for success in their chosen field of study.

  6. Career prospects : The UK offers a thriving job market, with ample career prospects in various industries.

Why study Master’s in Healthcare Management in the UK?

There is a huge scope in the UK after studying Master’s in Healthcare Management . There is a wide array of employment opportunities in both private and public healthcare sectors, including facilities, centres, consulting firms, insurance companies, hospitals, and more.

The duration of the program can be completed in just one year, and numerous prestigious universities in the UK offer this program. Moreover, these universities are highly ranked in terms of their program offerings. As per QS World University Rankings 2023 by subject, 16 of the top 100 universities for life sciences and medicine are in the UK.

Here are the other reasons to study Master’s in Healthcare Management in the UK:

  • UK universities have meticulously designed their curriculum to incorporate the latest professional and research practices. The course content is carefully crafted based on feedback from students to ensure its relevance to future career prospects. This ensures that students are exposed to the most current and best practices in their field of study

  • There is a huge scope of technological advancements in the medical sector as there is a lot of health awareness among people

  • One of the world’s largest healthcare systems National Health Services is in the UK, and it’s one of the top recruiters of healthcare management graduates

  • According to PayScale data 2023, the average salary of healthcare managers in the UK is £32,422

Popular skills for the Healthcare manager

In the dynamic healthcare industry of the UK, healthcare managers play a vital role in ensuring efficient operations, effective leadership, and quality patient care. To excel in this demanding field, healthcare managers need to possess a diverse set of skills. Here are the most popular skills for a healthcare manager:

  1. Empathy : A healthcare professional should know how to empathise with patients and colleagues as it maintains a sense of confidence and a very strong connection. Also, it leads to fewer mistakes in day-to-day work.

  2. Communication skills : Healthcare professionals need to have excellent communication skills. They need to be well coordinated with their co-workers and other team members. In some cases, a healthcare manager needs to communicate with the patient or their attendees and explain to them the disease or any problem the person is suffering from.

  3. Time management : Healthcare managers have a very busy schedule throughout the day. They need to manage their time very well and know how to prioritise the work that is urgent and important.

  4. Stress management : This is a profession that is very challenging as there is lots of work and long working hours. Sometimes such kind of pressure can be exhausting. So a healthcare professional should know to handle such kind of stress well. There are certain techniques that are used to manage stress and with practice, one can work effectively.

  5. Teamwork : A healthcare professional need to interact with many departments in their day-to-day work. In order to be successful in the job they have to be a very strong team player and be always ready to help the co-workers.

  6. Confidence : In this role, the confidence of a healthcare professional plays a very important role as they are the backbone of the clinic or hospital. Confidence is required as they will be in touch with the patients and sometimes their family members.

Universities offering Healthcare Management programs in the UK

UK universities have several universities with the best healthcare management programs . Here are the top universities you can apply to:

Admission process for studying Master’s in Healthcare Management in the UK

To smoothly get into UK universities you will have to understand the admission process, here’s what you need to check:

  1. As an international student you need to shortlist the universities that offer this program in Master’s in Healthcare Management.

  2. Need to check the deadlines for admissions and the scholarships the universities are offering. Also, need to check the eligibility criteria for admission to the respective program.

  3. Start preparing the documents for admission and apply to the universities before the deadline.

Documents required for admission to Master’s in Healthcare Management in the UK

The admission process for a Master's in Healthcare Management program in the UK usually requires submitting several documents. It’s better to make a list for an organised process. Here’s a list you can refer to:

  • Academic transcripts of all educational qualifications

  • 1-2 Letter of Recommendation (LOR) to study in the UK

  • Passport copy with first and last page

  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)

  • English language proficiency test scores such as IELTS

  • Documents to verify work experience including offer letter, certificates, etc.

  • A résumé including prior work experience, extracurricular activities, projects and internships

Eligibility criteria for Master’s in Healthcare Management in the UK

The eligibility criteria may vary with the university you are applying to. But here are the common requirements that you must fulfil for your admission to UK universities:

  • Most universities in the UK require international students to have a 3 or 4-year degree from a recognised university, with a minimum of 60% marks

  • Alternatively, if the academic background is different, some universities may accept 2 years of relevant work experience as an alternative

  • English language proficiency test scores such as IELTS, with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 in most universities. However, a few universities may require a higher IELTS score of 7.0 bands or above for English language proficiency

Career prospects for Master’s in Healthcare Management in the UK

There is a huge demand for Healthcare Management professionals around the world in both public and private sectors. After graduation can pursue various leadership and management roles in healthcare organisations, both in the private and public sectors. You can work as an administrator in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities, overseeing operations, managing budgets, and ensuring efficient delivery of healthcare services.

There’s also a scope of working in government agencies, think tanks, or research organisations, analysing health policies, conducting research, and contributing to the development and implementation of healthcare policies. There are also jobs in healthcare facilities, hospitals, consulting and insurance firms and other healthcare centres. Here’s a list of other job you can apply for:

  • Medical Director

  • Administrative director

  • Healthcare specialist for health consulting firms

  • Hospital Administrator

  • Chief Medical Officer

  • Healthcare Service Manager

  • Managed Care Assistant

Average salary of a Healthcare manager in the UK

As healthcare continues to be a top priority in the UK, the demand for skilled healthcare managers remains high, which also makes it a well-paid job. The average salary of a Healthcare Manager in the UK is £32,422 .

*According to PayScale data 2023

According to recent data from PayScale (2023), the average salaries for Healthcare Managers in the UK vary based on experience levels. For entry-level positions with less than 1 year of experience, the average total compensation is £29,468. Early career Healthcare Managers with 1-4 years of experience earn an average total compensation of £34,276, while mid-career professionals with 5-9 years of experience earn around £32,847. Experienced Healthcare Managers with 10-19 years of experience earn an average total compensation of £26,036. In the late stages of their career (20 years and higher), professionals in this field can expect an average total compensation of £45,316. These figures provide insights into the earning potential for Healthcare Managers at different stages of their careers in the UK.

Pay by experience level for Healthcare Managers

*According to PayScale data 2023

Alternative career options for a Healthcare manager

There is a huge scope of Healthcare professionals in all fields apart from hospitals or clinics. There are many other jobs where Healthcare managers are in demand. Here’s a list of jobs you can apply for:

  • Ambulatory Care Manager

  • Professor or Researcher at a College or University

  • Healthcare Quality Improvement Manager

  • Medical Coding Specialist

  • Hospice Administrator

  • Healthcare Human Resources Manager

Pursuing a Master’s in Healthcare Management in the UK can provide international students with excellent opportunities for academic and professional growth. With top-ranked universities, cutting-edge curriculum, strong career prospects, and a vibrant healthcare industry, the UK offers a conducive environment for students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for successful careers in healthcare management. If you want to study healthcare management programs in the UK , you can get in touch with our international education experts at IDP. They will help you with the end-to-end admission process.