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Executive Programme Health MBA

Distance learning programme

The aim of this MBA Executive Programme Health is to educate you as senior managers, clinicians and business specialists engaged in the health and healthcare sector. The programme is intended to strengthen the quality of health and healthcare management of public, private and not-for-profit organisations across the world.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
Fees to be confirmed
£22,500
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
Fees to be confirmed
£22,500
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
All applicants: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A UK minimum of an upper second-class degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Graduates without the relevant degree classification but with extensive relevant work experience of equivalency are welcome to apply and will be considered on an individual basis.

We require you to have at least five years’ postgraduate professional experience ideally at the management level. This would be work experience that builds on your previous higher education and knowledge beyond an entry level role in an organisation.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


The MBA Executive Programme Health offers the same quality MBA experience that our face-to-face programme offers. The key difference is that we have designed this programme for busy professionals who need an online flexible mode of delivery but want to be assured they get the academic rigour and business practical skills of a face-to-face MBA in health.

This programme will build on your previous management experience as well as education through the development of an integrated approach to management and business in the health sector. 

This programme is designed to give you the next level of health and healthcare knowledge and experience across the entire programme so that you can develop competencies and attributes of an MBA Executive Programme Health graduate while attaining the application and contextualisation that is meaningful for health services and improved patient outcomes. 

Who this course is for

Our EMBA Health programme is for ambitious individuals who are determined to become exceptional leaders in healthcare. You may be a manager, clinician, business specialist or medical consultant looking to elevate your career in the public or private health sector. You could have some experience in healthcare management or leadership, with ambitions to lead at a higher level. You may also be a professional with work experience in any sector, intent on pivoting your career direction via this EMBA. When reviewing EMBA Health applications, we will assess your eligibility for the programme based on a combination of your academic credentials, work experience, personal statement, admissions interview and references.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The Global Health Project and Health Consultant Project modules are composite projects on one topic which is the equivalent of 30 credits each.

The Global Health Research Project allows you to focus on a health project to develop ideas, innovations and possible solutions to a health question in collaborations with other students on the programme.  This project will ensure you gain practice of putting theory into practice, and requires students to synthesise their learning in the programme while gaining invaluable team skills to come up with a well-researched, empirically valid research paper. 

The Health Consultant module allows you to test your abilities as a consultant working with a real world organisations that is selected to complement their career aspirations. You will demonstrate your ability to understand a problem articulated by the organisation, use your project management skills to investigate, gather information, research and write up a convincing solution.  

We believe that the peer-to-peer learning with other professionals with management experience will create an invaluable dynamic that will challenge your thinking and generate innovation that you can take to your workplace even before you finish the programme.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

After completing the EMBA Health, students may seek leadership and management positions in public, private, not-for-profit healthcare organisations and NGOs across the world. Graduates may be able to gain internal promotions, start their own business, be involved in mergers and acquisitions, or work for government, consultancies, or the industry. 

Employability

On completion of this programme you will have:

  • An enhanced understanding of the intersection between health and business;
  • substantial research and analytical skills and methodologies which support health and business leadership;
  • in-depth understanding of health organisations, their management and their changing external context;
  • highly developed professional skills and attitude towards system leadership, change and innovation which is critical for the labour market;
  • effective written and verbal communication skills, which support information and data management;
  • knowledge of the ethical, legal and regulatory issues associated with bringing health innovations to market;
  • the capacity to identify potential business opportunities arising from research in health and healthcare related areas;
  • enhanced desire for lifelong learning to ensure continuous self-direction and reflection in your professional life;
  • Appreciation of teamwork and collaboration for driving forward solutions to problem solving and how to ensure that teams are effective and delivering equality, diversity and inclusion.

Networking

EMBA students have the opportunity to network with their peers, guest speakers at all levels from leading organisations, entrepreneurs, policy-makers, and executives, as well as academics. The in-person study weeks each year provide an opportunity for further networking. 

Teaching and learning

Given the breadth and depth of this programme, it demands a number of learning and teaching strategies. You will have a series of online activities and readings.  These activities are to ensure you are prepared for the online synchronised experiences. Consequently, your modules are spread over eight weeks.  You will cover three themes – one every two weeks and then have wrap-up weeks.

Additional learning methods on the programme include:

  • An ongoing seminar session focused on informal case-based presentations and discussions related to module content.
  • Module consolidation seminars involving problem or case-based presentations relating to module content.
  • Project development workshops.
  • Face-to-face study weeks that are an integral part of the MBA executive programme health.

Formative assessments will include discussion forums, MCQs and reflective essays.

Summative

Written exams – testing knowledge, and applying knowledge and understanding to case study/scenario analysis

Coursework essays – organisation of knowledge and understanding in order to develop cohesive argument

Presentations – selection, synthesis and communication of information for varied audience/ purpose, media, precis/concision, including both group and individual projects.

Global Health research project & Consultant project – Research analysis, literature review, critical appraisal, data collection and analysis, structured writing and presentation of findings

Enhanced research skills – modelling health based hypotheses, literature reviews, practical analysis of results. Academic orientation combined with the below:

Health and Business case written analysis – identification of need, challenges of buy-in, legal ramifications of development, obstacles and ethics. Business and academic orientation.

Business presentation - communication, information, targeted, persuasive, professional interrogation of knowledge and understanding as demonstrated, capacity to take knowledge to new scenarios

You will have approximately 10 hours of structured learning per week. There is considerable independent reading and recorded lectures study expected through the module delivery period and in the identified revision weeks.

Modules

The MBA Executive Programme Health core content is delivered in four blocks, each worth 30 credits. You will complete two blocks in your first year and two blocks in the second year as a part-time student. You will also complete two projects with one in each year in term 3.  You will be encouraged to complete asynchronous online primer courses prior to commencing your first block of teaching: (1) Fundamentals of accounting, finance and economics; (2) Global Health and Sustainability; (3) Study-skills; and (4) Time-management for students. 

There will be a one-week on-line induction prior to the start of your first block of teaching which will focus on personal development, organisational behaviour and team building as well as on-board you to how the programme will unfold.

Between term 2 and 3 each year, you will attend a one-week study trip.  In your first year of study, you will have a one-week in-person programme in London which will be delivered on our UCL East campus.

In your second year, you will have the opportunity to have another study week, but this week will be outside the UK. The location of the global study trip will be agreed two years in advance so you will know the location prior to enrolling on the programme.

In term 3 of each year, students will work on a project. The two capstone projects will be the Global Health Research Project and the Health Consultant Project.  You will have project sessions in term 3 where you begin to build your ideas, skills and knowledge for undertaking these projects.

Other topics covered during the EMBA Health programme include Strategy, People and Marketing; Finance, Economics and Data; Executive Leadership; and contemporary topics in health and health care. 

See further module information

The MBA Executive Programme Health core content is delivered in four blocks, each worth 30 credits. If you choose to take the programme as a flexible student, you will work with your personal tutor to design a timeline for completing that works for you.

See further module information

Compulsory modules

UK Health System Study Week

Strategy, People and Marketing - Online

Finance, Economics and Data - online

Global Health Research Project - online

Executive Leadership - Online

Contemporary Topics in Health and Healthcare - online

Global Health System Study Week

Health Consultant Project - online


Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MBA in Executive Programme Health.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) Fees to be confirmed £22,500
Tuition fees (2024/25) Fees to be confirmed £22,500

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Additional costs

In your first year of study, you will have a one-week in-person programme in London which will be delivered at our UCL East campus. Students will pay for all associated costs: travel, accommodation and living expenses while in London. This is a compulsory component of the programme. The cost of this week will differ from student to student, depending on where you are travelling from, where you would like to stay in London and whether you will need a visa. To avoid any unexpected costs, we advise students please research the cost of this trip in advance. 

Students will have to pay for the cost of return travel to the destination where they are undertaking their study trip in year 2. You will also have to pay for your accommodation in country, but all food and on-the-ground transport will be covered. If you require a visa for the duration of your stay, you will also need to cover this cost. This is also a compulsory component of the programme. The cost of the year 2 study trip will vary depending on where you will travel from, whether you need a visa and where you will stay. We try to provide the destination of the study trip as early as possible to help students secure the best prices on their travel and to give you time to prepare for the trip. If you have any questions about these additional costs, please contact us.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

Please visit the scholarships section of the UCL GBSH website for more information on available funding.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 20 June 2024
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study the Executive Programme Health MBA at graduate level
  • Why you want to study the Executive Programme Health MBA at UCL
  • What particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • Where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Global Business School for Health
Global Business School for Health

embaadmissionsgbsh@ucl.ac.uk

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