Brunel University Launches MBA in Healthcare Management

Brunel University's Business School is launching a new AMBA-accredited MBA course in Healthcare Management from September this year. This specialist MBA adds to the existing portfolio of accredited full time and Executive part time MBA programmes at Brunel. The course is aimed at professionals working within and across public and private health organisations (such as Strategic Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts, medical centres, clinics, voluntary aid organisations, pharmaceutics, logistics/supply and professional services). This new MBA seeks to provide individuals with an opportunity to advance their careers in this thriving sector by focussing on the development of their business and management skills.

Students on the course will benefit from Brunel Business School's leading position in delivering MBA courses (currently ranked 10th in the UK1), as well as Brunel's excellent reputation in healthcare research. This MBA provides students with not only a sophisticated understanding of the principal business functions such as corporate strategy, finance, marketing, people management and operations management, but also allows an in-depth exploration of healthcare policy and how to manage change within the constantly evolving healthcare sector. This will be achieved and supported via practical insights to challenges faced in the sector from members of the School of Health Sciences and associated interaction with health organisations.

A core part of the MBA also involves an applied business research project which allows each student to investigate and analyse a real business issue within a given context. As Prof. Amir Sharif, Director of MBA Programmes in the Business School notes, “The Brunel MBA in Healthcare Management aims to give students a unique combination of knowledge and general management practice in terms of both quality teaching and research expertise. Our MBA programmes equip students with invaluable skills to take on high level management positions within not only healthcare, but also a myriad of business sectors.“ As a result, the integration of theory and practice has also been recognised by healthcare professionals working for King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

“We are delighted to be able to offer this new, specialist MBA,“ comments Prof. Zahir Irani Head of the Business School at Brunel University. “Although standard MBAs cover all the necessary business functions, they don't always address the issues specific to the healthcare sector. With increasing pressures on healthcare budgets and resources, it is essential that managers are provided with the right educational opportunities to enhance their skills and become more effective managers in this dynamic and competitive sector.“

The course is offered in full-time and part-time formats and is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) as a mark of its quality. The one-year, full-time course has an intake in September and the two-year, part-time course enrols during September or February. The part-time study mode comprises teaching sessions on Fridays and Saturdays, allowing students to balance their commitments more easily. Both study formats include a Leadership Masterclass series throughout the year to enhance management and leadership skills. Candidates are expected to have both a good first degree and a minimum of three years' postgraduate managerial or professional work experience relevant to the Healthcare sector.

Reference
1. ReportED 2006. http://www.report-ed.com/rankings-text.pdf

Note to Editors
Course Details
Full details of the programme detailed above can be found at:
• MBA in Healthcare Management
• /about/acad/bbs/courses/ps/mba/healthcaremanagement

Further information about the Brunel MBA in Healthcare Management can be obtained by writing to: The Brunel MBA, Brunel Business School, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH. Telephone: +44 (0)1895 267124. Email: brunelmba@brunel.ac.uk. Or by contacting the Director of the MBA Programme - Professor Amir Sharif - amir.sharif@brunel.ac.uk

How to Apply
Applications should be made as early as possible, and in any case by early September. You can obtain a copy of the application form at:
www.brunel.ac.uk/courses/pg/graduateschool/application

All completed forms must be sent to: Admissions, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH. Forms must be accompanied by original certificates or certified copies as proof of the qualifications held (except in the case of Brunel graduates), including proof of ability in English Language if English is not your first language.

Further Information
Please contact Rachel Cummings or Katy Askew at Racepoint Group:
Tel: 020 8752 32 09 /06
Email: brunelschoolsuk@racepointgroup.com