Teaching & modules
Modules
Programmes are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits as outlined below.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change, and not all optional modules given below are offered every year.
Required Modules
You are required to take the following modules:
- The History of Health and Social Care (15 credits)
- Health Systems Management (15 credits)
- Health & Social Care Service Development and Delivery (15 credits)
- Approaches to Policymaking (15 credits)
- Health Economics (15 credits)
- Continuous Improvement in Health and Social Care Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional Modules
In addition, you are required to take 45 credits of optional modules:
- Behavioural Science – Health and Social Care Policy (15 credits)
- Learning What Works (15 credits)
- Communications Media and Public Policy (15 credits)
- Policy Analysis (15 credits)
Exceptionally, students may be permitted to take up to 30 credits of optional modules available within the Policy Institute if they are offered and approved by the Programme Director.
Part-Time Students
Part-time students are advised to take all compulsory modules and their choice of one optional module in year 1 totalling 90 credits of taught modules in their first year, thereby allowing enough time to focus on the two optional modules and Dissertation in their second year.
Part-Time International Students and paid or unpaid work
Please note that for international students, UK Government guidelines are currently more restrictive for those holding part-time visas than full-time visas. If you hold a student visa for a part-time programme, you will not have the right to undertake any work, paid or unpaid, in the UK.
Teaching methods - what to expect
We will teach you through a combination of lectures and seminars, typically 20 hours per module. We also expect you to undertake 130 hours of independent study for each module.
|
Module |
Lectures, seminars, tutorials and feedback |
Self-study |
|
Per 15-credit taught module |
20 hours. |
130 hours
|
|
Per 30-credit taught module |
40 hours |
260 hours |
|
Dissertation module |
Usually 5 contact hours of one-to-one or group consultation with supervisors. |
595 hours of self-study and project work. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Essays
- Dissertation
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework. Forms of assessment typically include essays and other written assignments. All students undertake a research-based dissertation.
Application closing date guidance
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
Full-time: one year; part-time: two years.
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026