Health and Social Care Management and Policy

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The course is designed to meet the needs of those working in health and welfare services as practitioners, managers or administrators.

The student group is therefore multidisciplinary, and most course members combine study with full-time work. The course is also suitable for graduates with a research interest in the changing nature of health and social care in the new mixed economy of welfare.

The course has recently been re-validated and re-focused. It now offers increased opportunities for you to combine your study of health and social policy with specialist modules in evaluation, management, social work practice, regeneration or public health.

Teaching methods
Your learning is structured around weekly contact time with the teaching team and is complemented by your independent work based on guidance supplied in lectures, group work, and interactive workshops. Blended learning, enquiry based learning and problem based learning will be used to help you comprehend theoretical concepts.

Career opportunities
This qualification will enhance the career prospects of those working in many settings where knowledge and skills in health and social care management or policy making is relevant. Graduates from our existing programmes report improved career choices and advancement as a result of learning acquired on this programme. Many have gone on to careers as Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation Managers, Managers of Learning Disability Services, Primary Care Trust Business Development Managers, Day Centre managers, Sure Start programme managers, Health Visitor Managers, Prison Service Managers, Residential and Nursing Care Home Managers, Advisors in Local Authorities, Community Care Managers, Managed Policy Research, Policy Makers.

Course Structure
An MSc is awarded to students who successfully complete four core modules, two options from a list, and a triple-module project. Concepts, skills and theory covered in the course are integrated through a 12-15,000-word dissertation evaluating the management or implementation of a particular policy in your own workplace. * Management of health and Social Services
* Understanding Policy Process
* Strategic Planning for Change Management
* Health Impact Assessment

Examples of optional modules include:

* Developments and Management in Community Care
* Health in the City
* Measuring and Monitoring Performance
* Children and Families Policy and Practice
* Housing Strategy
* Social Structures and Policies
* Global Social Policies
* Ethical issues in Health Care
* Managing Self and Others
* Project Management
* Cross Cultural Management
* Contextualising Management
* Partnership Working and Management

One option should come from the policy area (health, mental health, social policy, community care, or family policy), and the other will be in management. Managers who wish to study for a PG Certificate (3 modules) or Postgraduate Diploma (6 modules) in Health and Social Care Management and Policy may exit from the MSc programme after they have completed the required module.

Assessment
You are assessed via essays, seminar papers, mini-projects, reports and management exercises.

A good Honours degree in a relevant subject discipline such as sociology, psychology, the social sciences or politics is the normal entry requirement. However, the overriding criterion is the ability to demonstrate the knowledge base, academic skills and motivation to benefit from and succeed in an advanced level award. Hence applicants with lower qualifications but substantial work or voluntary experience in a relevant area may be considered.