Digital Health Leadership
Receive world-class training towards a career as a digital health leader on the flagship programme of the NHS Digital Academy.
Digital Health Leadership
Receive world-class training towards a career as a digital health leader on the flagship programme of the NHS Digital Academy.
Acquire the essential knowledge and skills to work as a leader driving digital health transformation in the NHS
Learn how to identify opportunities for digital transformation and manage large scale projects and organisational change
Benefit from a blended study programme that incorporates online and residential learning
Course key facts
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Qualification
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PG Dip
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Part-time
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Delivered by
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Location
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In-person
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Online
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Minimum entry standard
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2:2 in a relevant subject
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Other requirements apply. Applicants must also be directly employed by the NHS or non-profit organisation with long-term commission to provide NHS services.
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
2 years
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Part-time
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Delivered by
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Location
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In-person
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Online
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Minimum entry standard
-
2:2 in a relevant subject
-
Other requirements apply. Applicants must also be directly employed by the NHS or non-profit organisation with long-term commission to provide NHS services.
Course overview
Receive world-class training towards a career as a digital health leader on the flagship programme of the NHS Digital Academy. Commissioned by NHS England, this course explores how innovative leadership can help drive digital transformation within a healthcare setting.
You'll apply your learning to your professional practice and build the leadership expertise needed to improve and scale digital workforce capabilities.
You'll also evaluate and implement health information systems and learn how clinical data and insights can be used to drive continuous improvement.
This programme unites a range of experts from Imperial College London's Institute of Global Health Innovation and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
Teaching is delivered via a blended study programme, with online learning complemented by residential learning opportunities at leadership forums across various sites in London, and the UK.
Receive world-class training towards a career as a digital health leader on the flagship programme of the NHS Digital Academy.
Commissioned by NHS England, this course explores how innovative leadership can help drive digital transformation within a healthcare setting.
You'll apply your learning to your professional practice and build the leadership expertise needed to improve and scale digital workforce capabilities.
You'll also evaluate and implement health information systems and learn how clinical data and insights can be used to drive continuous improvement.
This programme unites a range of experts from Imperial College London’s Institute of Global Health Innovation and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
Teaching is delivered via a blended study programme, with online learning complemented by residential learning opportunities across various sites in the UK.
The Master’s course concludes with an extended research project, where you'll implement a workplace project and critically appraise the results.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll study the following core modules.
Core modules
Learn about health systems from a national and international perspective and study current developments in health informatics.
Receive an orientation in the project and programme environment, and analyse how programmes are used to manage a number of related projects and create strategic value for organisations.
Provides an insight into the latest developments in human-centred design and consumer health informatics, drawing on in-depth case studies and expert interviews, underpinned by relevant theory and literature.
Understand key concepts in leadership and how these affect your practice, and consider how to lead transformational change in the workplace.
Learn about principles of innovation in healthcare, how innovation comes about, the role of different sectors and the health policy implications of future innovation.
Critically evaluate an information system selection, implementation and optimisation with relation to technical and business factors.
Develop expertise in identifying data sources and review the different types of data available.
Apply concepts, theory and frameworks you have acquired throughout the programme, harnessing the tools and means to lead transformational change.
You’ll study the following core modules.
Core modules
Learn about health systems from a national and international perspective and study current developments in health informatics.
Receive an orientation in the project and programme environment, and analyse how programmes are used to manage a number of related projects and create strategic value for organisations.
Provides an insight into the latest developments in human-centred design and consumer health informatics, drawing on in-depth case studies and expert interviews, underpinned by relevant theory and literature.
Understand key concepts in leadership and how these affect your practice, and consider how to lead transformational change in the workplace.
Learn about principles of innovation in healthcare, how innovation comes about, the role of different sectors and the health policy implications of future innovation.
Critically evaluate an information system selection, implementation and optimisation with relation to technical and business factors.
Develop expertise in identifying data sources and review the different types of data available.
Apply concepts, theory and frameworks you have acquired throughout the programme, harnessing the tools and means to lead transformational change.
You'll complete a research project that demonstrates critical thinking and results in new knowledge in the field of digital health leadership.
You'll collect and analyse quantitative data on a workplace project’s context, business case and implementation process, and critically appraise your plan and findings.
Your project will conclude with a 10,000-word final report.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Virtual learning environment
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Tutorials
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Live webinars
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Residential teaching
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Peer-learning
Assessment methods
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Multiple-choice questions
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Group assignments
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Reflective journals
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Written assignments
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Video assessments
Teaching and learning methods
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Virtual learning environment
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Tutorials
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Live webinars
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Residential teaching
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Peer-learning
Balance of assessment
Key
- Taught modules
- Research project
- 67% Taught modules
- 33% Research project
Assessment methods
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Research project
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Multiple-choice questions
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Group assignments
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Reflective journals
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Written assignments
Teaching methods
Students will be provided with access to online content with guidance how to progress through the materials. This will be complemented by live webinars, tutorials, and assessment briefings on each module, delivered by the Module Leads and Teaching Fellows.
The Leadership in Practice module will run throughout the course of the year. The module is centred around developing communities of practice during three face-to-face Leadership Forums; at these residential teaching events, experts and practitioners share reflection and best practice on leadership challenges in digital health, with plenty of opportunity for peer-learning, networking and putting theory into practice.
Entry requirements
This course welcomes applications from NHS employees.
Please see a full overview of eligibility criteria. You must be employed by an NHS organisation or commissioned service in England.
How to apply
Visit the NHS England website for detailed information about the programme, eligibility, and application process on the Digital Health Leadership web pages.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Tuition fees
Fees info
NHS funded
Places on this course are fully funded by a sponsorship arrangement with NHS England.
For more information, learn more about the Digital Health Leadership programme on the NHS England website.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Learn the skills and knowledge needed to take on senior leadership roles in digital health and care.
Designed for CXOs, CIOs, CNIOs, and CCIOs, this programme provides guidance on advancing transformational digital change across organisations.
Further links
Contact the department
Email: pgdigitalhealth@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Professor the Lord Ara Darzi
Visit the Department of Surgery and Cancer website.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications