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.



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.



NFQ Level: 9 (30 credits)

Level: Graduate Taught

Award: Graduate Certificate

Stage 1 Core Modules

NMHS44190: GlobalHealth Landscape&Ldrship

NMHS44200: Health Systems&Health Policy

NMHS44210: Strategy&Innovation in HS

- 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.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

RPL may be granted in respect of individual modules if applicants can demonstrate that the modules' learning outcomes have been achieved through prior credentialed or experiential learning. In some cases, where an applicant does not meet the prerequisites for entry to a programme, an RPL application may be considered.



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 (https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax) for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

1 year part-time.

Delivery: Blended

X872: Graduate Certificate Strategy, Leadership & Innovation in Healthcare

Graduate Certificate



Part-Time: Commencing September 2025

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