Healthcare Management - Innovation in Healthcare

The Professional Certificate in Innovation in Healthcare, delivered by the RCSI Graduate School of Healthcare Management, is designed for healthcare professionals who want to make a real difference.



Whether you're on the frontline or in a management role, this fully online programme will give you the mindset, tools, and confidence to lead innovation and solve real-world challenges in your workplace.



This programme blends systems thinking, design thinking, and business planning to equip learners with the tools and confidence to tackle complex healthcare challenges. Participants will explore how to identify unmet needs, co-create patient-centred solutions, and develop sustainable business models that can drive real-world change.



Fully online and flexible, this certificate supports busy professionals in developing practical, immediately applicable skills that can enhance their leadership and innovation capacity across any healthcare setting.



This course comprises three five-week modules over six months, and is a Level 9 award on the National Framework of Qualifications.



Suitable for

This programme is ideal for healthcare professionals in clinical, managerial or support roles who want to lead change, solve real-world challenges and drive innovation in their organisation using practical, proven methods.



Accreditation and recognition

The Professional Certificate in Innovation in Healthcare is awarded by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and is aligned to Level 9 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Each of the three micro-credentials that make up the certificate is worth 5 ECTS credits, providing a total of 15 ECTS upon completion.

Modules

Innovation in Healthcare (5 ECTS)

This module introduces learners to systems thinking and the foundational principles of innovation in healthcare. You'll explore how healthcare systems function, where innovation can add value, and how to approach complex challenges from a systems perspective. The course covers innovation readiness, strategic improvement models, and frameworks such as the Quadruple Aim. Learners apply systems thinking tools to map and analyse real-world healthcare challenges in their own contexts, identifying areas for meaningful and sustainable innovation.



Design Thinking for Healthcare (5 ECTS)

This microcredential focuses on the design thinking process and how it can be used to create user-centred solutions in healthcare. Topics include empathy mapping, problem framing, ideation techniques, prototyping, and testing ideas. Learners will explore co-design and inclusive design approaches specific to healthcare settings. Participants complete a structured design thinking project, applying creative problem-solving techniques to develop and test a solution to a real healthcare problem.



Business Planning for Healthcare Innovation (5 ECTS)

This module equips learners with the skills to build robust business cases for healthcare innovations. Key areas include value propositions, stakeholder analysis, cost–benefit considerations, risk assessment, and sustainability planning. Learners are introduced to tools like the Business Model Canvas and Lean Startup principles. Each learner develops a full business plan for a healthcare innovation, considering feasibility, scalability, and alignment with organisational or system priorities.

To apply for this micro-credential course, you must:

• Hold a bachelor degree (if you don’t hold a bachelor degree, see the recognition of prior learning pathway outlined)

• Be working in healthcare or a related industry

• Meet the English language requirements (unless exempt): IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent score on another standardised test (certified proof should be uploaded with your application; see below for exemptions).



English language requirement exceptions

Exemptions may apply for:

• Applicants who have completed their school or undergraduate studies (three or more years) through English in a country where English is the majority native language.

• Applicants who have completed their school or undergraduate studies (three or more years) in an English speaking institution in a country where English is not the majority. native language and where an IELTS score of 5 or more was a requirement for admissions to the programme.

• Applicants who have been working in a country (three years or more) where English is the majority native language or for an employer where English language is the official language.

• Graduates of an RCSI Undergraduate, Masters or Professional Diploma programme in Dublin and Bahrain.



Please note: Certified proof must be uploaded as part of your application.



English language requirements for Postgraduate programmes are published on the RCSI website.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

If you do not meet the minimum academic requirements above, you may still be eligible to apply through recognition of prior learning (RPL). RPL is the assessment of knowledge, skills and competence previously acquired.



Learning occurs in many contexts including work, involvement in social and community activities, or learning through life experience generally. RPL does not give credit for experience as such; rather it considers the learning that was acquired as a result of the experience.



RPL may be used to gain:

• Admission to courses/programmes where a person may not have obtained the standard entry requirements.

• Exemptions from course modules which duplicate the learning outcomes an individual has already demonstrably acquired through prior learning.

6 months. Mode of delivery: Online - Part-time.

Next start date: TBC.