Systems Leadership
Introduction
This module is intended to give a thorough grounding in the challenges, principles and practices of leadership in complex health and social care systems. You will explore systems thinking methods and practices to develop a critical understanding of systems leadership and its growing importance in global health and social care systems.
Who the module is aimed at
All health and social care professionals, including third sector or private organisations.
Benefits of taking the module to the individual, the organisation and the patient
You will be supported to:
- Critically explore systems thinking approaches and methodologies and their relevance to health and social care.
- Gain a critical appreciation of pressing challenges involved in leading within complex health and social care systems, and the role of systems thinking to identify and explore these.
- Critically examine the implication of systems leadership for your system and as part of your own leadership development
What you learn
In this course you will develop a deeper understanding of the system leadership challenges facing health and social care over the next decade and gain systems thinking skills that will assist you in analysing complex health and social care system problems and responding appropriately.
General areas covered
- Systems thinking and relevant system thinking approaches
- Complexity in relationship to leadership and complex adaptive systems
- Global and UK health systems
- Exploring and identifying system challenges using system methodologies, including advancing technology, health inequalities and the increasing importance of planetary health
- Understanding systems leadership including an exploration of:
- Strengthening relationships and collective approaches to leadership
- Leading without authority and leading across boundaries
- Managing polarities and system sightedness
- Navigating uncertainty and daring to lead courageously whilst managing risk
- Leading for the good of the whole system.
Skills gained for the workplace, technical skills or academic skills
- Reflective and critical thinking
- Academic writing
- Systems Leadership
- Systems thinking and practice
Delivery Method
Engaging and varied distance learning materials, supported by weekly facilitated live online sessions and peer engagement. Please contact the module leader for the timetable of the live zoom sessions.
This module will commence in 20th January 2025 - week commencing 7 April 2025. Please contact the Module Leader for further information and a timetable. R.Yassaie@shu.ac.uk
Fees and Funding for 2025/26
| Indicative price for stand-alone module |
Home student: £885 EU / International students: £1,480 - this is part-time study and therefore cannot provide sponsorship for Tier 4. |
|---|---|
| How to apply |
To apply for a self-funded place, please complete and return the application form below: To apply for a Workforce Development / Workforce Transformation funding WDF/WTF funded place, please complete and return the relevant application form below Further information and Workforce Development Funding / CPD Funding online application form |
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Entry requirements
- You must have experience of studying and writing at level 6.
- You must have access to a reliable internet connection
- Where English is not your first language you must be able to supply IELTS scores.
The above must be evidenced in your application form.
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Attendance
Delivery Method:
This module is delivered via distance learning
View our statement on notional study hours »
Provisional timetable
This module will commence in 19th January 2026 - week commencing 30th March 2026.
Live online tutorials will take place on Wednesday afternoons at 13:30 - 15:30 throughout the module via MS Teams (with one week break over February Half Term). Please email the module leader for more information if required: R.Yassaie@shu.ac.uk.
Students are encouraged to attend every week where possible, but all sessions will be recorded.
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Assessment
Module assessment is made up of one or more assessment tasks. The assessment task(s) for this module are:
- Written Assignment
Successful completion of this module will earn you 15 level 7 credits