MA Health and Wellbeing at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

The MA Health and Wellbeing is a part-time, fully online programme for health and social care professionals, covering health and social care policy, the influence of sociology, psychology and ethics on health and wellbeing, rural health and social care provision and research methods. It is built from PgCert, PgDip and MA stages (60, 120 and 180 credits) and ends with a research or quality improvement project.

Duration: Part time: 3-6 years (structured 3 years; unstructured 6 years) | Intake: January; September | Study mode: part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core modules are individual and social influences on health and working with communities. Options include child and adolescent mental health, improvement science, introduction to lean quality improvement, introduction to patient safety in integrated health and social care environments, understanding research in evidence-based practice and values and principles of remote and rural practice. The MA is completed with a 60-credit module, either applying research skills for clinical impact or a quality improvement dissertation.

Career pathways

Enhanced employment opportunities in health and social care sectors, including patient safety, quality improvement and public health policy. Progression to doctoral study may be possible.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A 2:1 honours degree or equivalent, or a postgraduate diploma or professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an honours degree. Applicants with a 2:2 or below, an ordinary degree or DipHE in a relevant subject plus relevant professional experience may be considered through a successful admissions essay. Recognition of prior learning may be considered. All students should be in employment and/or engaged in voluntary activities. International applicants: IELTS Academic overall 6.5 with no component below 6.0 (or an approved equivalent); applicants from majority English-speaking countries or with a recent UK degree may not need a test.

Domestic applicants: GBP 6,330 for the whole programme (2025/26). Students normally domiciled in Scotland; masters degree (6 modules plus dissertation, 180 credits) Source

International applicants: GBP 10,800 for the whole programme (2025/26). Studying online from home country or assessed as international; masters degree (180 credits) Source

Intake: January; September

Duration: Part time: 3-6 years (structured 3 years; unstructured 6 years)

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