Online degree programmes in healthcare

Online degree programmes in healthcare

Deciding to return to higher education to take the next step in your healthcare career is an important decision, and we know that there are a lot of factors to consider. It’s not just what and where to study, but how – full-time or part-time? On campus or online?

There are no right or wrong answers, of course. All that matters is finding the programme that best suits you, your learning style, and your personal circumstances.

At Queen Margaret University (QMU), we offer flexible online master’s degrees in nursing, public health, global health, and healthcare management, and we’ve developed a reputation for our excellent teaching and research in healthcare:

  • Research. 100% of our research impact in Nursing and Allied Health Professions is rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in REF, 2021.

  • Expertise. We’re 6th in the UK for Nursing according to the Guardian University Rankings, 2024.

  • Graduate outcomes. We have the highest employment rate in Scotland according to HESA 2021’s data on students 15 months after graduating. 

What online degrees in healthcare are available at QMU?

We offer a range of 100% online postgraduate degrees in healthcare. These include:

  • MSc Healthcare Management. Led by the Queen Margaret Business School (QMBS) and taught by staff across both QMBS and QMU’s School of Health Sciences, this programme will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need for professional practice within healthcare management, both public and private sector.

  • MSc Global Health. Develop a solid understanding of the key issues in global health and development. You’ll also build a critical understanding of the links between health and development, the relationship between health, wellbeing, and social determinants, and how to blend evidence-based interventions and strategies with local realities. 

  • Master of Public Health. Led by the Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) and taught by the diverse and experienced staff of QMU’s School of Health Sciences, this programme will prepare you to work in the field of public health in the UK and beyond. 

  • MSc Nursing. Developed for registered nurses, this programme will help you to build on your existing knowledge, experience, and skills as a socially conscious, critically creative, reflexive, and evidence-based practitioner.

All of our healthcare programmes are designed to meet the evolving needs of today's healthcare professionals. They’re ideal for people who want to make a significant contribution to health services, from clinical practice to policy-making. And with our commitment to flexible and accessible high-quality education, our online degrees are structured to fit the lifestyles and needs of learners worldwide.

The benefits of an online degree in healthcare

Career progression

Whether you’re still relatively new to the healthcare field or a mid-career professional looking to progress to a more senior level, a postgraduate qualification can open doors to professional development and advancement. 

Our programmes will prepare you to lead within complex healthcare systems by developing your critical thinking and management skills, and our graduates often go on to management positions. This is both in the UK – within the NHS and in the private sector – and internationally, and across a variety of healthcare specialisms, from mental health to social work.

Salary

Investing in an advanced healthcare degree can have a tangible impact on your salary. Generally speaking, enhanced qualifications can lead to higher-paying positions in recognition of the advanced knowledge and new skills acquired through postgraduate study. And healthcare degrees typically prepare graduates for roles that command competitive salaries, reflecting the critical importance of their contributions to health and social care.

For example, Glassdoor reports that the average salary for healthcare management in the UK is £48,069, and the National Careers Service says that an experienced health service manager earns an average annual salary of £68,525.

Why study a healthcare degree online?

Traditional postgraduate study usually requires working professionals to take a career break because it’s not feasible to balance a full-time job with full-time, in-person study at a university or medical school.

Online healthcare courses, however, offer more flexibility. Students can study part-time from anywhere, and schedule their course work around their existing professional and personal commitments. 

Other benefits include:

  • Global perspectives. Distance learning and online learning offer a unique advantage in terms of networking and exposure to international healthcare contexts. Learners engage with peers from around the globe and share experiences and insights from different healthcare systems.

  • Real-time application. The flexible nature of online study allows learners to immediately apply new knowledge and skills in their current roles.


For more information about our online courses, including information about modules, entry requirements – such as English language requirements or prerequisites like relevant bachelor’s degrees – and exit awards, such as postgraduate certificates (PGCert) or postgraduate diplomas (PGDip), please visit the Queen Margaret University online course website.