Strategy, Leadership & Innovation in Healthcare

The Graduate Certificate in Strategy, Leadership & Innovation in Healthcare is one of a number of programmes offered by the UCD IRIS Centre for Interdisciplinary, Research, Innovation & Education in Health Systems.



It is a 30-ECTS-credit, QQI Level 9 interdisciplinary programme. The programme is offered over one academic year, every two years.



These modules contribute 30 ECTS credits towards UCD's MSc in Leadership, Innovation and Management for Healthcare. Holders of the Graduate Certificate can complete the MSc by successfully completing a further 60 ECTS credits of study.



The programme will contribute to your personal and professional development by introducing you to ways of identifying, analysing, critiquing and evaluating 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, organisational and team contexts.



You will be prepared to become 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.



What Will I Learn?

The programme comprises three 10-ECTS-credit modules:

Trimester 1 (Sept to Dec 2027):

NMHS 44200: Health Systems and Health Policy

NMHS 44190: Global Health Landscape and Leadership



Trimester 2 (Jan to May 2028):

NMHS 44210: Enhancing Strategic and Innovative Capacity in Health Systems



The programme is delivered through blended learning, entailing face-to-face and online learning supported by Brightspace, UCD's virtual learning environment (VLE).



There is a particular emphasis on experiential learning and on the application of learning to students' professional practice contexts through a range of activities. To optimise student engagement and participation, class sizes are limited to 25 students so early application is advised.



The teaching and learning methods include tutorials, workshops, faculty and peer-led seminars, and group work. Continuous assessment methods include project work, class presentations, student-led seminars, posters and assignments. There are no examinations.



The Graduate Certificate 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

• 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 Certificate in Strategy, Leadership & Innovation in Healthcare will appeal to healthcare professionals seeking a rigorous and comprehensive introduction to important principles and concepts to inform their leadership and management practice.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

NMHS44190 GlobalHealth Landscape & Ldrship Autumn 10

NMHS44200 Health Systems & Health Policy Autumn 10

NMHS44210 Strategy & Innovation in HS Spring 10

• 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

1 year part-time. Delivery: Blended.

X872: Graduate Certificate in Strategy, Leadership & Innovation in Healthcare Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

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

• Strategy design and implementation

• Clinical leadership and management

• Innovation

• Practice development

• Education

• Management and administration