Leading & Innovating in Health Systems

The Graduate Diploma in Leading and Innovating in Health Systems is one of a number of programmes offered by the UCD IRIS Centre for Interdisciplinary, Research, Innovation & Education in Health Systems.



This programme is delivered via blended learning, incorporating a mix of interactive online lectures, self-directed learning and in-person classes.



The Graduate Diploma is a 60-ECTS-credit, QQI Level 9 interdisciplinary programme that is taken over two years.



Holders of the Graduate Diploma can obtain the MSc in Leadership, Innovation and Management for Healthcare by undertaking a further 30 ECTS credits of study.



The programme will contribute to your personal and professional development by enabling you to identify, analyse, critique and evaluate the ways in which you and your colleagues currently lead and manage. You will acquire the capacity to locate ways of leading and managing within relevant conceptual frameworks and to situate them in systems, policy, organisational and team contexts.



You will be prepared to be a more responsive, effective and resilient leader and manager who thinks and practices strategically and innovatively to improve patients' and colleagues' experiences of the health system.



You will be equipped with theories, concepts, models, frameworks, tools, techniques and research findings that will enable you to develop a deep appreciation of how the health system works and how you can maximise yours and your colleagues' contribution to it.



The programme aims to:

• enhance awareness of the ways in which you and others practice leadership and management

• develop an appreciation of the contribution of systems and design thinking to your practice

• enable you to acquire and apply knowledge to improve the systems and processes that underpin the delivery of safe, high-quality, responsive, integrated and person-centred care

• enhance your understanding the nature of health policy formulation and implementation

• develop and strengthen your strategic sensing capabilities in order to enhance strategic capacity, engagement and alignment in your organisation

• develop and strengthen your creative, innovative and knowledge management capabilities.



The Graduate Diploma in Leading and Innovating in Health Systems is an interdisciplinary, applied and experiential programme that will appeal to healthcare professionals at all levels and in all settings within the health system who wish to think and practice strategically and innovatively to foster collaboration across traditional boundaries to deliver safe, high-quality, responsive, integrated and person-centred care.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:

Year 1 modules for new entrants in September 2025

NMHS44190 GlobalHealth Landscape&Ldrship Autumn 10

NMHS44200 Health Systems & Health Policy Autumn 10

NMHS44210 Strategy & Innovation in HS Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:

For continuing students who commenced the programme in September 2024 and are proceeding to Year 2, please select NMHS44190, NMHS44200 and NMHS44210.

NMHS32280 Improving Process in HS 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10

NMHS44190 GlobalHealth Landscape&Ldrship Autumn 10

NMHS44200 Health Systems&Health Policy Autumn 10

NMHS43830 Collectiv Lship&Effect Teamwrk Spring 10

NMHS44210 Strategy & Innovation in HS Spring 10



Important Notice: Please note, the module information displayed in this box refers to the 2025/2026 programme structure. The structure for 2026/2027 will be released in June 2026. You can review the indicative timetable for September 2026 under the "What Will I Learn?" section.

• Applicants will normally hold an NQF Level 8 academic award but consideration will be given to applicants with relevant and appropriate qualifications and experience working in the health system

• Experience in a management and/or leadership role is desirable

• A willingness to explore your own leadership and management practices and their impact on the systems in which you work is essential.



You are welcome to contact the Programme Director, Professor Martin McNamara (martin.mcnamara@ucd.ie) to discuss the programme and its suitability for you before you make your application.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

2 years part-time. Delivery: Blended.

X873: Graduate Diploma in Leading and Innovating in Health Systems Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

The knowledge, understandings and skills acquired throughout the programme will prepare you to make a significant contribution as a leader and manager in a number of areas and at many levels in the health system, including:

• Organisational development

• Strategy design and implementation

• Policy design and implementation

• Quality and service improvement

• Clinical leadership and management

• Innovation

• Practice development

• Education

• Management and administration