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MSC IN MANAGEMENT TO TRANSFORM HEALTHCARE
- Qualification
- Master Of Science Degree
- CAO/MU Apply code
- MH23E
- Award Type and NFQ level
- TAUGHT MASTERS (9)
- Study Mode
- Part time
- Closing Date
- 27 August 2027
Overview
The MSc in Management to Transform Healthcare is designed to help experienced professionals understand and respond to the complex challenges facing modern healthcare systems: demographic change, workforce pressures, digitalisation, inequalities in access, and increasing public scrutiny. Healthcare today involves more than clinical care; it requires effective leadership, ethical decision-making, collaboration across organisations, and the ability to manage change in highly regulated and publicly accountable environments.
The MSc in Management to Transform Healthcare is designed to respond to this need by preparing graduates who can lead change across hospitals, primary and community care, NGOs, advocacy organisations, policy bodies, and health-related enterprises. It brings contemporary management thinking to real-world challenges in healthcare, social care, and community-based services.
The programme places a strong emphasis on societal impact, with research-informed modules and assessments developed in partnership with healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and third-sector organisations. In particular, the inclusion of a challenge-based capstone project enables students to engage with real-world health system challenges, enhancing both theoretical understanding and practical relevance.
The MSc in Management to Transform Healthcare offers a number of distinctive features:
- A transformative focus on ethics, advocacy, power, and organisational change within healthcare systems.
- Emphasis on community-based healthcare, co-production, and social innovation, all national reform priorities.
- A challenge-based capstone project model that enables healthcare providers, NGOs, advocacy groups, and policy bodies to propose real-world problems for student projects.
- A management-led, interdisciplinary perspective rooted in the School of Business rather than a clinically oriented training model.
- A delivery model designed specifically for experienced, in-work professionals, supporting sustained engagement alongside employment.
Course structure
Duration: 2 years part-time
Part-time only over 2 years.
Blended delivery: The MSc in Management to Transform Healthcare will be delivered in a blended format, combining structured on-campus engagement with online teaching and independent learning. The mode of delivery has been designed specifically to support professionals in full-time employment, while also ensuring high-quality interaction, cohort identity, and meaningful peer learning. Each 10-credit module will incorporate a blended mix of online and on-campus learning, ensuring coherence across delivery modes.
Required on campus attendance: Approximately four times per academic year (i.e. eight on-campus engagements across the 2 years of the programme). These on-campus sessions will typically take the form of intensive one- or two-day blocks and will be carefully scheduled in advance to facilitate planning for students in employment.
Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.
Year 1
Year 2
Careers after your Masters
A key focus of the programme is transformative change. Students will learn how to lead and manage change in complex healthcare organisations; how to work across professional, organisational, and sectoral boundaries; and how to apply evidence and research to improve services. Modules on social innovation and decision-making processes introduce practical approaches for working with communities and non-profit organisations to address health inequalities and improve access to care.
The programme also develops students’ research and analytical skills. Students will learn qualitative and mixed-methods research approaches that are commonly used to inform healthcare policy and organisational change.
The knowledge and skills developed through this programme are applicable across a wide range of settings, including hospitals, primary and community care services, NGOs, advocacy organisations, government departments, and health-related agencies. Graduates can expect to progress into or enhance roles such as healthcare manager, service development lead, policy advisor, programme manager, or advocacy and engagement lead within Ireland’s health and social care sector.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8) (or equivalent) with a minimum of a second-class honours, grade 2 (2:2) in any discipline. Candidates must also demonstrate a minimum of 2 years work experience in a health-related field.
If you do not meet the standard entry requirements then you may be eligible to apply under the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Please click here for further information.
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here.
Note that this programme is designed for those who are working in health-related fields. Its part-time, blended nature is intended to facilitate study alongside a full workload.
How to apply
Applications must be made via the MU Apply portal. Please click here to start your application.
When making your application, please ensure you prepare any documents listed below. You may be required to submit documents in two stages. You will be required to upload and submit the following documents with your application:
- Full academic transcripts for all semesters/ years completed to date
- Graduation Certificate if you have graduated
- A copy of your passport
- Up to date CV
If English is not your first language, you may be required to upload evidence of English language proficiency. For information please click here.