phd healthcare management uk

UCL School of Management

University college london, phd in management.

Start date:  September 2024 Duration: 5 years (1 year MRes + 4 years PhD) Fees:  We offer fully funded scholarships to all admitted students Application deadline: 01 February 2024 (17:00 UK time). A late submission window closes on 05 April 2024 (17:00 UK time), although we encourage you to apply early as places are limited and applications are subject to close sooner if places are filled. Entry:  Minimum of a first class bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. International students, please note that UCL’s English language requirement for this programme is a ' Level 1 ' (IELTS and TOEFL are the preferred test, however others on the UCL recognised test list will be accepted if required) - further details regarding this can be found on the  UCL English Language Requirements  page.

PhD students pursue their studies in one of the Operations & Technology, Strategy & Entrepreneurship, Marketing & Analytics, and Organisations & Innovation groups. All four groups offer a unique education and research experience to a small number of highly motivated students, with the intent of preparing them for scholarly careers at the highest level.

PhD studies in Operations and Technology

Across the different research themes , there is a shared interest in management science, operations management and business technologies. Topics of interest include R&D management, innovation and new product development, service systems, supply chain management and healthcare operations. For candidates in this area, a degree in engineering (e.g. industrial, electrical, computer, mechanical etc), economics, mathematics, statistics or operational research is preferred. 

PhD studies in Strategy and Entrepreneurship

S&E faculty research  focuses on understanding what makes firms successful, how they cope with a complex and dynamic environment, and what leads to new business formation and growth. Doctoral training involves close collaboration between the doctoral student and faculty members on shared research interests, coursework at UCL and other institutions, and independent research. Doctoral students also benefit from the S&E group’s collaborative research community, a lively program of research speakers from other institutions, and links with researchers worldwide. Topics of interest include digitization, big data analytics, machine learning, information environment, platform ecosystems, new organisational forms, learning, innovation, competition, interorganisational relationships, corporate strategy, entrepreneurial strategy, entrepreneurship for development, social innovation. 

PhD studies in Marketing and Analytics

Topics of interest in this group include branding, retailing, advertising, pricing, product development, marketing channels, business marketing, marketing strategy and e-commerce. The researchers in this group use diverse quantitative methodologies that include big data analytics, regression analysis, choice models, field experiments and Bayesian econometrics.

PhD studies in Organisations and Innovation

O&I faculty research focuses on understanding individual and team outcomes within organisations. Group members engage with a variety of perspectives and approaches including network research, experiments and ethnographies. There is a shared interest in the topics of creativity, innovation, social networks and diversity. For applicants to the PhD programme, prior training in social science (e.g. social psychology, sociology or economics) is highly relevant. 

PhD studies in Financial Economics

Our MRes and PhD Programme in Financial Economics with UCL's Department of Economics now has more information about how to apply and what you can expect from the programme on a brand new programme page, please see the specific entry requirements and programme structure here . 

PhD Structure

• The programme typically consists of five years of full-time study, starting with one year of modules registered as MRes. These modules are typically advanced postgraduate modules to provide rigorous methodological training to prepare students for their PhD research. Along with the School’s modules, students typically take some of these from other UCL departments (e.g., Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology), the London Business School, Bayes Business School, and Imperial College Business School.
• In addition to methods modules, students also undertake a first-year research project under the tutoring and supervision of a faculty member later in the MRes year (Term 3 + Summer period).
• Progression from MRes to PhD is not automatic . Superior performance in taught modules and independent, original research is required for progression from MRes to PhD.
• Our highly selective and small-sized PhD programme ensures that each student receives personal attention and guidance from our faculty members throughout their doctoral study. The close mentorship process forms the foundations of a successful academic career. 
• We expect our PhD graduates to have as their goal an academic career as a faculty member in a top business school or engineering department of a world-class university
• PhD applications are reviewed once a completed application form has been submitted online . 

Students take a total of 180 credits in the MRes year. This is made up of the MRes Research Project:

• MSIN0135 - MRes Research Project: 8,000-10,000 words . 105 credits.

Students take 75 credits of taught modules, of which the following three are compulsory modules:

• MSIN0131 - Research Presentation and Critical Writing Skills . 15 credits
• MSIN0132 - Seminar in Organisation Theory . 15 credits
• MSIN0240 - Designing Management Research Projects.  15 credits

Finally, students choose elective modules (15 credits each) among those offered by the School of Management, other UCL Departments (e.g., Economics, Psychology), and partner universities in London.

Students can take additional (non-credit) modules at UCL and our partners schools in the remaining years to complement their learning, but there is no requirement to take modules after the MRes year.

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and class discussion based on case studies and other activities. Student performance is assessed through simulations, presentations, coursework, group projects, class participation, and examinations. 

Students typically study 3 compulsory modules over Terms 1 and 2. Students will also typically study 2 optional modules which may take place in Terms 1, 2 or 3. Students will also undertake a substantial research project, which would usually be undertaken over Terms 2 and 3. 

Each taught module is delivered over 10 weeks, with 3 contact hours per week comprising lecture content and interactive components. 

In addition, students typically spend approximately 6-8 hours a week for each module on assessment and independent study to further develop the skills and knowledge covered in lectures and seminars. The total number of weekly hours will vary according to the weekly activities being undertaken.

Why choose us

What our students say:.

'The UCL School of Management PhD programme is designed to provide students with skills that lead to academic excellence. Candidates are part of a dynamic and vibrant group and benefit from the programme's flexibility, as they can choose from a wide range of disciplines. The frequent cooperation with world-leading faculty members enhances our knowledge and skills and ultimately leads to high-quality research output, laying the foundations for a subsequent successful academic career.' 

UCL School of Management has forged a reputation for world-leading research in management studies with 95% of the School’s research deemed to be world-leading or internationally excellent, the second highest percentage of any business school in the UK, according to the 2021 REF. 

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Applications

Applying for our mres/phd programme.

Entry requirements and admissions criteria:

We seek to recruit highly motivated, ambitious students with strong educational backgrounds. The ideal candidate will have a first-class Bachelor's degree from the UK or an overseas qualification of equivalent standard from a leading university. We encourage students from a wide variety of backgrounds (e.g, engineering, economics, business, mathematics/statistics, psychology, sociology, and anthropology, among others) to apply to our programme. Also, notice that a Master’s or graduate level degree is not required for admission, you can apply with only an undergraduate (e.g. bachelors) degree. 

In your personal statement you are expected to suggest one or more faculty members as potential supervisors. On the application form you may see that it states that it is preferred that you contact potential supervisors beforehand – you do not need to do so. In fact, applicants are discouraged from randomly contacting individual faculty members or potential supervisors when applying to our programme. All applications are first evaluated by a joint admissions committee, so contacting potential supervisors separately will not increase your chances.

All MRes/PhD applicants are normally expected to take either a GMAT test or GRE test (UCL's institution code is 3344, but also make sure you include a scanned copy of your test result on your online application), although the School has no minimum score requirements.  

We also require you to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores if English is not your first language. Our School requires a “Level 1” English qualification which corresponds to:

• IELTS: Overall grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.
• TOEFL: Score of 92, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing subtests and 20/30 in the listening and speaking subtests.  

Application Deadline

The application window closes 01 February 2024 (17:00 UK time) and a late submission window closes on 05 April 2024 (17:00 UK time). We advise those interested in the programme to apply before 01 February 2024, as those applying in the late submission window will only be considered if there are still places remaining.

Application Procedure

Apply via UCL Postgraduate Admissions System here . When starting the application, you must select the MRes option. In addition to filling out the online application form, please upload a copy of the following documents:

• Official Transcripts of Grades / Course marks
• A 2-3 page personal statement or research proposal* that clearly indicates: (i) which research group you are interested in (i.e., Organisations & Innovation, Strategy & Entrepreneurship, Marketing & Analytics or Operations & Technology, (ii) your research interests and preliminary research ideas, (iii) potential faculty member(s) you may want to work with (this is a suggested list, you don’t need to contact potential supervisors beforehand), and (iv) your motivation to do a PhD.
• Your  GRE / GMAT  score report**
• Your IELTS/TOEFL score report, if English is not your first language.

* While submission of a full research proposal is not required, you can send us one if you have already written it up.

** You can submit your application even if you don’t have a GRE/GMAT score —simply indicate when you plan to take the test.

Funding/Scholarships

We offer fully funded five year MRes/PhD scholarships in the UCL School of Management to all admitted students. The scholarship is open to all nationalities. It covers all tuition fees, and includes an annual stipend of £25,000, which is tax-free.

Additional costs 

This programme does not have any compulsory additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing, thesis binding or photocopying.  

Students may have the opportunity to participate in conferences in the UK and internationally. The UCL School of Management provides MRes/PhD students with an annual budget for conferences, which students will use to cover the travel, accommodation, food and other costs whilst at conferences, in line with UCL’s expenses policy. 

Apply today

For queries about the MRes/PhD Programme that are not addressed on our web pages, please contact [email protected] .

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Frequently Asked Questions about the UCL School of Management MRes/PhD Programme

Programme Information

Application process, admissions requirements, further information.

If you have any other questions regarding the programme that are not addressed on our web pages please email the programme team ( [email protected] )

Global Healthcare Management (Leadership) MSc

London, Stratford (UCL East)

A programme with tangible real-world value, the Global Healthcare Management MSc is a degree that has been created by academics and industry experts. Equip yourself with essential skills and connections to change the world in healthcare through opportunities to specialise in leadership.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Applications closed

• Entry requirements

An upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in a health, science, business or economics related subject or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Graduates without the relevant degree classification but with extensive relevant work experience are welcome to apply and will be considered on an individual basis.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

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

Taught from the world’s first business school dedicated to health in a global top 10 university, this programme offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn from the best in the sector while gaining the most valuable and in-demand skills at the moment.

Healthcare organisations anchored by strategic leadership and managers with specialist skills will form the future of improved healthcare delivery across the world. Many global healthcare systems were feeling the pressure before the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, now is a critical time to push forward systems thinking and universal best practices.

Equipping students with a critical foundation in the theories, principles and practices of healthcare management, the Global Healthcare Management MSc gives future healthcare managers and leaders key knowledge. Learning about global differences and interconnections, quality improvement, patient safety and workforce management are also fundamentals on this programme. A group business project ensures that problem-solving and innovation in the healthcare context are qualities instilled in all students. Students also specialise in either analytics, finance, or leadership – where there is a current skills deficit in healthcare organisations across the world. As a result, our Global Healthcare Management MSc programme produces graduates who are versatile, enterprising, and highly employable healthcare management experts. This programme is taught from UCL’s state-of-the-art bespoke facilities on our UCL East campus , on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London. The UCL Global Business School for Health is situated in the Marshgate building with access to hi-tech teaching areas and collaboration spaces, a library, and a refectory.   

Who this course is for

Our Global Healthcare Management MSc programme is ideal for individuals who strive to become excellent managers and changemakers within healthcare settings. You may be a new or recent graduate in a health, science or business field, or you may have some relevant work experience in healthcare that you want to build on to take your career to the next level.

What this course will give you

Graduates coming from our Global Healthcare Management MSc with a specialist route in leadership can expect to have:

• A wide-ranging understanding of healthcare management as a discipline together with the contemporary topics driving transformational global healthcare.
• The opportunity to gain skills in the specialist area of leadership where there is a current knowledge deficit, according to our research with health sector employers.
• Significant research and analytical skills that support data driven approaches to managing healthcare.
• Written and verbal communication skills appropriate for managers and leaders in healthcare settings.
• The expertise to assess value for patients, organisations and society in relation to healthcare.
• The ability to effectively manage and lead a diverse workforce.
• The proficiency to capitalise on entrepreneurial opportunities, either independently or within organisations.
• Experience in teamwork and collaboration to help with problem solving and making teams effective at delivering equality, diversity and inclusion.
• A mindset embracing innovation, nurtured by the experiential learning and real world examples used in teaching at UCL GBSH.
• Resilience and know-how in relation to self-management, work-life balance and mental health, supported by continuous professional development throughout the programme.

Building on UCL’s longstanding health credentials – with health spanning across every faculty in the university – the UCL Global Business School for Health (UCL GBSH) has created a unique learning environment for individuals who want to thrive in their roles in the global health economy. Bringing together world-renowned academics in health and business, UCL GBSH is committed to disrupting and reimagining global healthcare by cultivating a new generation of change-making leaders and innovators.

The foundation of your career

Previous graduates have entered a range of employers. While many did this degree as part of their clinical experience and have returned to new leadership opportunities, others have changed from daily clinical care to exciting opportunities within healthcare companies outside patient treatment. Many of our alumni have used the networks developed as part of this course to enter the exciting world of management consulting or joined multinational healthcare companies in the policy or analytics space.  Some have used the skills developed here to take their idea for a new enterprise forward. Others have gone into roles in health policy development and implementation.

Employability

Graduates of the Global Healthcare Management MSc can expect to gain a range of directly transferable skills relevant to working in the health and healthcare sector.

All graduates of this programme will gain an in-depth understanding of healthcare management as a discipline, as well as the current topics pushing forward transformational global healthcare. Graduates will also be able to apply significant research and analytical skills to support data-driven healthcare management, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills. An ability to assess value for patients, organisations and society as a whole in relation to healthcare is also an asset to future employers. Key to this programme is students’ ability to specialise in analytics, finance, or leadership. UCL research with employers indicates these are all highly sought-after skills in the current climate, giving graduates of this degree confidence about their future employability.

Your career is the focus of workshops and discussions during an enhanced induction at the start of the programme and is revisited throughout the degree. You’ll also build contacts and networks with a variety of experts, industry leaders, and colleagues throughout your time with us.

Paths to work after this programme

• Public, private, or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the health and healthcare space.
• Healthcare specialisms in professional services, e.g. accountancy, insurance, or legal firms.
• Government and public bodies.

Throughout the year you are exposed to a number of formal and informal networking opportunities. You will have extra-curricular departmental activities that draw a range of supporters and employers, as well as frequent invites to leading health tech conferences in London and the Southeast. There will also be career events aimed at networking and learning what to expect on day one in your next role.

Teaching and learning

Module teaching is primarily in the form of face-to-face lectures and seminars across terms 1 and 2. Weekly group tutorials allow for more detailed discussion and consideration of the material covered in recorded lectures. Face-to-face lectures will be reserved for guest and expert speakers as well as UCL academics who will deliver key components of the modules. Ongoing seminar sessions will focus on informal case-based presentations and discussions related to module content. Project development workshops allow for investigative, analytical, synthesis, and data interrogation skills to be developed while being put into practice as you advance your business and research projects. In Term 3, you will embark on your business project which you will pull together with colleagues having completed much of the research and analysis for the report and presentation in term 2. You will also finish your individual desk-based research project. For the business project, your project team will pull together your data, conclusions, and case with the assistance of an expert mentor and academic supervisor.

Types of assessment undertaken on the programme will include written exams, coursework essays, presentations, a business project, a research project, and health and business case written analysis.

Face-to-face seminars or virtually attended sessions form typically approx. 15-18 hours per week in terms 1 and 2, and there is considerable independent reading and recorded lectures study expected through a module delivery period and in the identified revision weeks.

The MSc Global Healthcare Management programme with a leadership route offers you an opportunity to develop breadth and depth of understanding of global healthcare management challenges and opportunities in this digital age. In the first term, you will receive an advanced understanding of business and management for healthcare alongside two modules in the leadership route. In term two, you will focus on the application of these tools within the global health landscape. All students on this programme will be engaged in two projects. One is a group business project that involves developing an idea for a healthcare improvement from concept to business case report and presentation. Your team will be composed of individuals across the various routes (specialisms) on this programme so that you can appreciate the power of multidisciplinary and diverse teamwork. You will be challenged to ensure that this project is actionable. The second project is a research project where you will have the opportunity to work on a research paper that critically examines an aspect or question related to your selected route (leadership) learning. These projects are designed to give you the opportunity to work independently and collectively to gain confidence in your abilities to research and apply your knowledge acquired throughout the programme.

The year part-time structure consists of 180 credits. Students take 90 credits in year 1 and 90 credits in year 2.

The mod/flex structure gives students the flexibility of taking 180 credits over 2-5 years. Students can take as many or as few modules as they wish each year.

Compulsory modules

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 MSc in Global Healthcare Management (Leadership).

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 Services team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

Pathways include: Analytics (TMSGBHSANA01) Finance (TMSGBHSFIN01) Leadership (TMSGBHSLDS01) Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis .

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

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

UCL GBSH scholarships available for students:

The GBSH Women Healthcare Leaders Scholarships are for female students who demonstrate leadership potential. The recipients of these scholarships will also be provided with leadership coaching and high-impact leadership training as part of their scholarship.

Global Healthcare Leaders Scholarships are for students from either the UK, Africa, Asia and South America who show exceptional leadership potential in their fields, and who want to make a difference in healthcare.

The East London Scholarships are for students who live or work in east London and are keen to make a difference for their local community.

For eligibility criteria and details of the application process and deadlines please visit the scholarships section of the UCL GBSH website .

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

UCL East London Scholarship

NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend () Criteria Based on financial need Eligibility: UK

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees .

When reviewing MSc in Global Healthcare Management applications, we will assess your eligibility for the programme based on a combination of your academic credentials, any relevant work experience, personal statement, and references.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• Why you want to study Global Healthcare Management at graduate level
• Why you want to study Global Healthcare Management at UCL
• What particularly attracts you to the chosen programme (content and opportunities)
• How your academic, professional and personal background has prepared and qualified you for the demands of this challenging programme
• Where you would like to go professionally through and after this programme.

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.

Got questions? Get in touch

Global Business School for Health

[email protected]

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