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Undergraduate diplomaOfqual UK recognised body

Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management

A 120-credit Level 6 diploma in health and social care management, awarded through an Ofqual UK recognised body and delivered fully online by UKSM.

Duration
9 Months, 6 Months
Credits
120 credits
Level
Level 6
Awarding body
Ofqual UK recognised body

Tuition from £950£1050(fast track £1250)

Duration

9 Months, 6 Months

Credits

120 credits

Awarding body

Ofqual UK recognised body

Level

Level 6

Programme overview

The Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management is awarded through an Ofqual UK recognised body, regulated by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Delivered fully online by the UK School of Management (UKSM), this 120-credit programme is designed for experienced professionals who want to lead health and social care services at a strategic level. At RQF Level 6, the diploma is equivalent to the final year of a UK bachelor's degree, signalling to employers that you can manage complex services, drive quality improvement, and take responsibility for people, resources, and regulatory compliance.

The curriculum comprises six mandatory units totalling 120 credits. Personal and Professional Development in Health and Social Care supports reflective practice and continuous improvement in senior roles. Managing Quality in Health and Social Care Settings examines inspection frameworks, audit processes, and service improvement methodologies. Principles of Leadership and Management develops your ability to motivate teams, manage change, and make decisions under pressure. Health and Safety in Health and Social Care Settings covers risk management, safeguarding, and statutory compliance. Resource Management in Health and Social Care addresses workforce planning, budgeting, and operational efficiency, and Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals equips you to investigate practice-based issues and use evidence to inform management decisions.

Assessment is entirely assignment-based, with no written examinations, making the programme well suited to managers and senior practitioners balancing study with demanding roles. You will apply advanced concepts to real organisational challenges, building a portfolio that demonstrates your capacity to lead services, improve outcomes for service users, and work effectively with commissioners, regulators, and multidisciplinary teams. UKSM provides structured learning materials, tutor support, and flexible pacing, allowing you to complete the standard nine-month route or choose a six-month fast-track option if you need to qualify sooner.

Entry typically requires a Level 5 qualification or at least five years of relevant professional experience, and applicants must be aged 18 or over. If you are progressing through UKSM's health and social care pathway, you may have completed the Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care before advancing to this programme. As the highest health and social care diploma offered at UKSM, the Level 6 qualification supports progression into executive management roles and further academic study, including master's degrees and MBAs at participating UK universities.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  1. Evaluate degree-level strategic management in health and social care organisations.
  2. Implement system-wide care coordination and partnership governance.
  3. Assess regulatory compliance including mental capacity act and safeguarding frameworks.
  4. Demonstrate executive risk assessment and quality assurance leadership.
  5. Apply GDPR in healthcare transformation and data stewardship programmes.
  6. Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams at directorate or service-line level.
  7. Analyse policy impact on person-centred care delivery and workforce capacity.
  8. Develop strategic plans for senior social care manager and director roles.

Who is this course for?

Ideal for: Health Support Worker, Care Coordinator, Social Care Manager. This qualification supports progression to Health and Social Care Director and meets CQC and NHS employers's training recommendations for health and social care workers.

What you'll study

  • Personal and Professional Development in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
  • Managing Quality in Health and Social Care Settings (20 credits)
  • Principles of Leadership and Management (20 credits)
  • Health and Safety in Health and Social Care Settings (20 credits)
  • Resource Management in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
  • Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (20 credits)

Full module detail

Units

The Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management consists of 6 mandatory units for a combined total of 120 credits.

Personal and Professional Development in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

This unit supports reflective practice and ongoing professional growth in senior care roles. You will examine learning styles, self-assessment, continuing professional development planning, and how to model high standards of practice for colleagues and teams.

Managing Quality in Health and Social Care Settings (20 credits)

Quality assurance is central to safe, effective services. You will study inspection standards, audit tools, complaint handling, and continuous improvement frameworks, developing the skills to monitor performance and drive measurable enhancements in care delivery.

Principles of Leadership and Management (20 credits)

Strong leadership underpins successful care organisations. This unit explores management theories, motivation, delegation, conflict resolution, and change management, helping you lead teams through the pressures and complexities of modern health and social care environments.

Health and Safety in Health and Social Care Settings (20 credits)

Managers must ensure safe environments for staff and service users. You will cover risk assessment, incident reporting, infection control, manual handling policy, and the legal duties that govern health and safety in residential, community, and clinical care settings.

Resource Management in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

Effective services depend on the smart use of people, time, and money. This unit addresses workforce planning, rostering, budget management, procurement, and productivity, giving you practical tools to allocate resources responsibly and sustainably.

Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (20 credits)

Evidence-based management requires research literacy. You will learn to design small-scale investigations, review literature, collect and analyse data, and present findings that can inform policy, practice, and service development at organisational level.

Assessment

The evaluation process is conducted through the submission of assignments, and there are no written examinations involved.

Learners who complete this qualification often progress to the Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care.

Career outcomes

Graduates progress into roles such as Health and Social Care Manager, Senior Care Manager, Healthcare Operations Manager, and Social Care Service Manager. The Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management is designed for professionals who want to move into senior management, service leadership, and strategic coordination roles across the health and social care sector. At degree level, this qualification signals to employers that you can oversee multiple teams, manage budgets, respond to regulatory requirements, and lead service improvement in residential care, NHS-affiliated settings, and community organisations. Graduates are well placed to take on head-of-service positions where board-level reporting, safeguarding oversight, and partnership working with local authorities and clinical commissioners are everyday responsibilities. The skills you develop are directly applicable to registered manager pathways, consultancy roles, and executive positions that shape how care is delivered to vulnerable adults and communities.

Entry requirements

  • Previous Qualification: Applicants should have successfully completed a Level 5 qualification (e.g., Level 5 Diploma, Certificate, Higher National Diploma, Foundation Degree) or hold an equivalent credential such as a Bachelor's degree or higher. OR
  • Relevant Experience: Candidates with over 5 years of professional experience in their respective industry are encouraged to apply, as their practical knowledge is highly valued.
  • Minimum Age: Applicants must be 18 years or older . This program is designed to support both recent graduates and experienced professionals in advancing their careers.

Assessment

The Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management is assessed through assignment and coursework submission. You complete set tasks online, submit your work for marking, and build evidence of learning without sitting written exams.

  • Assessment is through written assignments and coursework submitted online.
  • There are no written examinations.
  • You receive tutor feedback on your submissions as you progress through the programme.

Awarding body

Ofqual UK recognised body

Fee and payment plans

Duration & course fee

Choose the study mode that fits your schedule and career goals.

Most popular

Standard mode

Study at your own pace with full tutor support

£950

Complete fee

  • Duration: 9 months
  • Start dates: Flexible start dates
Qualify sooner

Fast track

Intensive schedule, ideal for working professionals

£1250

Complete fee

  • Duration: 6 months
  • Start dates: Fixed cohort intakes

Fees quoted above represent the full programme cost. There are no additional or hidden charges.

Payment plans

9 months @ GBP £950

  • Payment option (c): GBP £190 x 5 monthly instalments
  • Payment option (d): GBP £475 x 2 quarterly instalments
  • Payment option (e): GBP £902.50 x 1 instalment (We offer 5% bursary on total fee for students opting to pay in full)

6 months @ GBP £1250

  • Payment option (a): GBP £416 x 3 monthly instalments
  • Payment option (b): GBP £1187.50 x 1 instalment (We offer 5% bursary on total fee for students opting to pay in full)

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management take?

The Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management can be completed in 9 months on the standard route or 6 months on the fast-track option. UKSM delivers the programme fully online with flexible scheduling, so you can choose the study mode that fits your work and personal commitments.

Is the Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management accredited?

Yes. The Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management is awarded through an Ofqual UK recognised body, regulated by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. This ensures the qualification meets national standards for recognition by UK employers and international organisations.

What are the entry requirements for the Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management?

Applicants should hold a Level 5 qualification (such as a diploma or higher national diploma) or an equivalent credential, although higher qualifications including a bachelor's degree are also accepted. Alternatively, candidates with more than five years of relevant professional experience in health and social care are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be aged 18 or over.

How much does the Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management cost?

The standard nine-month programme fee is £950, with flexible monthly and quarterly payment plans available. The six-month fast-track option is £1,250, and a 5% bursary applies when you pay the full fee upfront — see the Fee and Payment Plans section for full details.

Can I study the Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management while working full-time?

Yes. The programme is delivered entirely online with assignment-based assessment and no written examinations. This structure allows experienced care managers and senior practitioners to study around their employment and apply strategic concepts directly in their organisation.

What qualification will I receive after completing the Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management?

On successful completion, you will receive the Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management, awarded by a UK awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual. The 120-credit qualification supports progression into senior management roles and further academic study.

Is the Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management recognised by UK employers?

Yes. Qualifications awarded through an Ofqual UK recognised body are designed to meet rigorous national standards, and Level 6 diplomas are widely recognised across the UK health and social care sector. Employers value this degree-level qualification for roles involving service leadership, quality assurance, safeguarding oversight, and strategic resource management.

Can I progress to further study after completing the Level 6 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management?

Yes. As the highest health and social care diploma at UKSM, the Level 6 qualification supports progression onto master's degrees, MBAs, and other postgraduate programmes at participating UK universities. Many graduates use this diploma to gain advanced entry or prepare for executive leadership roles in health and social care organisations.

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