Healthcare and Design
Gain the tools to instigate and lead innovation in healthcare systems, services and spaces.
Gain the tools to instigate and lead innovation in healthcare systems, services and spaces
Draw on the complementary knowledge and expertise of Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art
Learn how to apply behavioural economics to design projects to help maximise impact
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
2 years
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Part-time
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Fees
£9,700 per year Home
£22,500 per year Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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Royal College of Art
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
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2:1 in any subject
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Applicants require either a clinical background or healthcare experience.
Course overview
Gain the tools to instigate and lead innovation in healthcare systems, services and spaces on this Master's course.
You'll develop a greater understanding of the UK health system and the systemic challenges it faces to remain sustainable.
You'll explore behavioural economics and how to apply it to design projects to maximise impact. This includes understanding the role of physical products and the environment in shaping people's behaviour.
The course also focuses on business and innovation in healthcare and design. You'll learn how to develop a business case and explore why innovations succeed or fail.
The programme draws on the complementary knowledge of Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art (RCA).
Teaching is delivered at South Kensington and the RCA campus, including some group work led by the HELIX Centre, a design studio bringing designers and clinicians together to solve healthcare challenges.
A research project forms the major component of the MSc course.
This will allow you to embed your knowledge and skills into your area of practice, with the opportunity to complete research in your own place of work.
Testimonials
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll study the following core modules.
Core modules
Develop a detailed understanding of the healthcare system in the UK and apply design-led innovation theory through collaborative practice.
Gain a detailed insight into strategic aspects of design andl investigate how a design led approach to future problem solving can provide novel solutions.
Advance your understanding of design and healthcare research methods and apply qualitative and quantitative research methods from both healthcare and design disciplines.
Work with the HELIX team for a week on a live rapid design project to prototype a solution to an identified challenge.
You'll present your prototype solution in the format of an independently-created video.
Assess the principles of innovation for healthcare design with a focus on innovation strategy, the core components of a successful innovation methodology and the future of healthcare innovation.
Focus on the role of design in behaviour change and investigate the impact of the environment on behaviours and how this can be used both in healthcare and the commercial world.
Discover the innovations and entrepreneurial landscape that exists in healthcare and learn how to develop compelling business cases.
Examine the leadership techniques required to tackle challenges in healthcare and consider how reforms can be delivered successfully on an institutional, regional, national and international stage.
Your research project accounts for one-third of your overall mark, and you are supervised by Imperial with the option of further support where required from the RCA.
During the project, you'll develop a design research question and plan, and employ appropriate research methods to address the question.
You will be encouraged to undertake this research project in your workplace. ‘Subject experts’ within your workplace may be used to provide additional support.
Your project will conclude with a 10,000 word dissertation.
Timetabling
The part-time MSc is taken over two years part-time. This includes eight weeks of intensive teaching, grouped into four blocks of two weeks. You can attend without taking a break from your career thanks to this part-time structure.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures and tutorials
- Research project and independent study
Year 1
- 60% Lectures and tutorials
- 40% Research project and independent study
Year 2
- 50% Lectures and tutorials
- 50% Research project and independent study
Teaching and learning methods
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Virtual learning environment
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Blended learning
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Case-based discussions
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Lectures
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Practical sessions
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Seminars
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Tutorials
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Pre-module activities
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Group discussions
Assessment methods
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Individual presentations
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Written assessments
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Research project
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Group assignments
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Tuition fees
MSc - Home
2025 entry
£9,700 per year
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
MSc - Overseas
2025 entry
£22,500 per year
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
The Dean’s Master’s Scholarships
Value per award
- £10,000
Who it's for
- All students applying to study a Faculty of Medicine Master’s course
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Prepare for a PhD degree by developing research expertise and critical design thinking skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills.
Provide consulting services on healthcare design-led innovations across a variety of contexts.
Explore a range of career options with guidance from industry, academic, and policy leaders.
A growing number of employers, including the NHS, value employees who possess expertise in addressing patient safety lapses.
Further links
Contact the department
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Visit the Department of Surgery and Cancer website.
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Register your interest
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications