Healthcare Management

The MA Healthcare Management is a two-year, part-time programme that focuses on the issues that affect the Irish health system.



On completing the first year of the programme, students receive the interim award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management. The second year of the course is divided into two semesters. In the first of these, students study four key subjects in healthcare management. In the second, students write a dissertation on a specific healthcare management issue. Students who do not wish to take all four subjects in any particular semester may choose to study one or two on a phased basis.



Is This Programme For You?

This programme is suitable for those who work in the health sector, particularly those looking to advance in their career or already in a management role. Students come from across both the public and private health sector and from service areas including primary and community care, acute care, social care, mental health and corporate services. By placing healthcare issues within the broader public management field, the programme gives students an understanding of how healthcare management relates to other economic, organisational and system questions. The programme is delivered through a blend of distance education and intensive weekend seminars and workshops at the IPA. Students can, therefore, pursue this programme no matter where they live and can remain in full-time employment.

Year One

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management (Interim Award):

The first year of the MA programme is divided into two semesters and each semester is devoted to the study of three key subjects in public management.



Semester One

- Economics

- Managing Human Resources

- Finance



Semester Two

- Organisation and Strategy

- Research Methods

- Managing Service Delivery/ Managing in Europe



Year Two

Semester One

- Health Systems and Policy

- Leadership and Management of Healthcare Organisations

- Quality in Healthcare / Health Economics and Finance



Semester Two

In the second semester of year two, students write a dissertation on a specific healthcare management issue. Students must successfully complete the taught courses before moving to the dissertation phase.

Applicants must have a primary degree or equivalent qualification. A copy of the qualification should be included along with the application form.

Application Deadline: September 2025.



How To Apply

Complete the online Postgraduate application form on the home page. On submitting that, you will receive correspondence from the IPA on next steps/documentation.

Students are assessed by means of assignments, examinations and a minor dissertation.

Two academic years.



Delivery Method

In the first year of the programme, students attend seminars/webinars on three weekends in each semester. In the second year, they attend three seminars/webinars in the first semester and then, in the second, prepare, under expert supervision, a minor dissertation. They are supported in their studies by a range of resources, including bespoke course material and module textbooks.

The cost of the programme is €5,000 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees, all seminars, textbooks and course material), payable in two instalments.

Commences: September 2025.

Progression Pathways

Students may enter the first year of the MA (Postgraduate Diploma) in September or January. Those who enter in September can, on successful completion of the academic year, proceed to the second year. Those who enter in January can finish within the calendar year and proceed to the second year the following September.



Graduates may wish to consider the IPA’s Doctorate in Governance programme.