Why study the Master of Health Services Management with UTS Online?
Top 100 University Globally1
Top Performing Young University2
Australia's #1 Performing Young University1
5 stars for excellence across all 8 categories3
1QS World University Rankings, 2026. 2THE Young University Rankings, 2024. 3QS Stars Rating 2021-2024
Health leadership skills for real-world impact
Australia’s health and social care systems are facing growing pressures, from increasing demand and workforce shortages to budget constraints and rapid technological change. Meeting these challenges requires skilled leaders who understand complex health systems and can lead people, strengthen organisations and improve services.
The UTS Online Master of Health Services Management prepares current and aspiring health leaders to navigate this complexity. You’ll build the strategic and practical capability to lead teams, make informed decisions and contribute to better health and service outcomes.
Learn from experts who understand the challenges of managing in health and social care, while developing the confidence to think differently and make stronger decisions. With six majors spanning Quality and Safety, Digital Health and Analytics, Leadership, Business Administration, Decision Making for Health Leaders and a Flexible major, you can tailor your studies to your professional interests and career goals.
Who is this course for?
The UTS Online Master of Health Services Management is designed for current and aspiring leaders who want to improve the way health and social care services are planned, managed and delivered.
Whether you’re a clinician moving into management, an experienced leader looking to strengthen your strategic capability, or a professional working in policy, administration or service delivery, the course will help you build the expertise to lead people, improve services and navigate complex health systems.
Our students come from a wide range of health and social care backgrounds, including:
- Clinicians and healthcare professionals looking to move into management or leadership roles
- Health and social care administrators and coordinators looking to improve service delivery and organisational performance
- Policy and public health professionals looking to strengthen their capability in strategy, planning and decision-making
- Professionals with relevant health or social care experience looking to build formal management and leadership capability
Throughout the course, you’ll apply your learning to the realities of health and social care through workplace-relevant tasks and case studies. You’ll practise interpreting evidence, diagnosing complex problems, leading teams and change, evaluating improvement initiatives and communicating recommendations with confidence.
See entry requirements under course information for more eligibility information.
What you will study
The UTS Online Master of Health Services Management comprises 12 online subjects (72 credit points), including six core health services management subjects and six subjects completed through your chosen major. The subject mix varies by major, with each combining core and elective study aligned to your professional direction.
Complete all of the following subjects:
- Foundations of Healthcare Systems
- Using Health Care Data for Decision Making
- Organisational Management in Health Care
- Improving Safety and Quality in Healthcare
- Leading Health and Social Care
- Managing for Value-Based Care
Note: Most UTS Online subjects are valued at 6 credit points each. For detailed subject descriptions and further information, please download a course guide.
Flexible course options
The Master of Health Services Management comprises 12 online subjects (72 credit points (CP) in total).
Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management may qualify to advance to the Master of Health Services Management, requiring only 8 additional subjects to complete the Master's degree.
Graduate Certificate
4 subjects | 8 months
Or continue studying
Master's
+ 8 subjects | 24 months
Graduate with a Master's degree
For more information, download your course guide or speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor.
Choose your own study path
Health services management is broad. Your study pathway can be more focused.
Alongside your core studies, you’ll choose a major that lets you deepen your capability in an area of health services management practice. Build expertise in the field you already work in, strengthen capability for the next stage of your career or broaden the way you approach leadership and decision-making.
Shape your studies around the kind of health leader you want to become.
Turn improvement into better care.
Build capability to improve services through innovation, evidence-informed change and structured approaches to quality and safety. Strengthen your ability to identify opportunities for improvement and support safer, higher-quality care.
Use technology and data to strengthen services.
Explore how digital health, information management, systems innovation and data can support better services and decisions. Build capability to understand digital initiatives and use information more effectively across health environments.
Lead people and services through change.
Strengthen your capability across leadership, policy, organisational change and service planning. Develop a broader understanding of how to lead teams and navigate complex health and social care environments.
Bring a broader business lens to health leadership.
Build capability across health economics, information management, planning and evidence-informed decision-making. Strengthen the business and management skills that support sustainable health service delivery.
Make stronger decisions in complex environments.
Develop your ability to evaluate evidence, navigate competing priorities and make informed decisions across policy, planning and health service delivery.
Build a pathway around your professional goals.
Prefer greater flexibility? Select approved subjects from across the major areas to create a study pathway aligned to your professional interests and career direction.
Learning outcomes
Develop the expertise to manage in a complex system
Build your understanding of the policy, funding, workforce, organisational and technological forces shaping health and social care. Develop the knowledge and judgement to lead teams, manage services, navigate competing priorities and improve organisational performance within complex health systems.
Make evidence-informed decisions
Strengthen your ability to critically assess data, research and other forms of evidence. Learn to determine what information is relevant, interpret it in context and use it to support management decisions and service improvement.
Improve quality, safety and person-centred care
Develop the capability to identify opportunities for improvement and design, implement and evaluate changes to services. Consider how management decisions affect patients, communities and staff, and how services can deliver safe, high-quality and person-centred care.
Lead ethically and advance equity
Develop the ethical, cultural and strategic capabilities to support inclusive workplaces and more equitable services. Explore the health needs and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their implications for health service management and delivery.
Course information
Entry requirements
Currently, this course is only accepting applications from Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent, in Health
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor’s degree or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent AND a minimum of at least 1 year full-time (1800+ hours), or equivalent part-time, relevant professional work experience in the health and social care sectors
Professional work experience excludes internships undertaken as part of previous academic study or professional qualifications.
Applicants who do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C11304 Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management.
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application
For applicants who need to demonstrate professional work experience:
- Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
- A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
- A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
- A statutory declaration confirming professional work experience (Australian residents only)
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee an offer of a place.
Want to check your eligibility?
Not only do we have the right tools and support teams to help you – we have people who care about your success.
Career outcomes
The UTS Online Master of Health Services Management prepares graduates to lead services, manage teams and improve the quality, safety and performance of health and social care organisations.
Whether you’re progressing into your first leadership role or advancing an established management career, you’ll develop transferable capability across leadership, organisational management, decision-making, service improvement and health systems.
Upon completion, graduates can pursue a range of career opportunities, including:
- Nurse Manager
- Allied Health Manager
- Care Services Manager
- Health Services Manager
- Clinical Operations Manager
- Policy and Program Manager
- Quality and Safety Manager
- Health Program Director
- Healthcare Consultant
$125,000 Average salary
Health Services Managers in Australia earn an average salary of approximately $125,000 per year, with entry-level positions starting at $113,511 and experienced professionals earning up to $152,780 annually.
(Talent.com)
2,200 +
Job increase over the year
Employment for Health and Welfare Services Managers in Australia is projected to grow, with an increase of 2,200 jobs over the past year, bringing the total employment to 40,700.
(Jobs and Skills Australia)
16.7%
Projected employment growth by 2033
The healthcare and social assistance sector is expected to experience significant growth, with its share of total employment projected to increase from 15.2% in 2023 to 16.7% in 2033, indicating robust opportunities for health services managers.
(Jobs and Skills Australia)
Upcoming intakes
UTS Online courses have 6 intakes per year. The diagram below shows all upcoming intakes. Our next intake is highlighted below.
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Jan
2026 -
Mar
2026 -
May
2026 -
Jul
2026 -
Aug
2026 -
Oct
2026
Meet our Course Director
Dr Sarah Wise is Course Director for Health Services Management at UTS, where she leads the design and delivery of the university's Health Services Management programs. An applied health services researcher with more than 20 years of experience across Australia and the United Kingdom, her expertise spans health service management, workforce planning, leadership and organisational performance, with a research focus on improving healthcare through evidence-based management and innovation.
"Too often, health professionals step into management roles with little formal preparation, expected to learn leadership on the job while navigating increasingly complex systems. Our Health Services Management courses are designed to change that. We empower future health leaders with the skills to understand both the health system and the people within it—so they can lead with confidence, improve services and create workplaces where staff and patients can thrive."
Dr Sarah Wise
Course Director for Health Services Management
Download a course guide
Download a course guide to explore detailed subject descriptions, entry requirements, pathway options and fee information.
What our students are saying
"The course modules were easy to read and helped me understand the material. I felt really well-supported, with a student success adviser checking in monthly."
Tiana T
Master of Health Services Management student
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Master of Health Services Management equips you with the skills to lead teams effectively within healthcare organisations. You’ll develop key leadership abilities, such as using emotional intelligence to manage and inspire teams in challenging environments.
The Master of Health Services Management at UTS Online equips you with the skills to lead change and innovate across healthcare teams and organisations. Graduates are well-suited for roles in hospitals, clinics, community health services, and other healthcare settings. Common career outcomes include:
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Nurse Manager/Director
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Clinical Services Manager
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Health Consultant
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Allied Health Manager
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Practice Leader
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Clinical Director
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Primary Health Organisation Manager
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Health Specialist
Learn more about what a health services manager does on our blog.
The Master of Health Services Management offers the following specialisations:
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Quality and Safety: Focuses on driving innovation, managing change, and enhancing service quality across diverse care settings.
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Digital Health and Analytics: Prepares you to lead in digital health by mastering systems innovation, information management, and data analytics.
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Leadership: Equips you with strategic acumen to navigate complex policy landscapes and lead teams effectively.
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Business Administration: Provides knowledge in health economics, information management, strategic planning, and epidemiology for impactful administration.
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Decision Making for Health Leaders: Enhances your ability to evaluate and implement change management strategies and apply health economics to service delivery.
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Flexible Major: Allows you to tailor your study path by choosing from a broad selection of electives that align with your career goals.
The Flexible Major in the Master of Health Services Management enables you to customise your learning experience by selecting subjects from an approved list of electives. This option allows you to design a study path that best fits your professional aspirations and interests within the health services management field.
While the Master of Health Services Management is designed to provide flexibility, switching specialisations may depend on the subjects you've already completed and the availability of elective options. It's advisable to consult with an academic advisor to discuss your specific situation and ensure a smooth transition if you wish to change specialisations.
Each specialisation in the Master of Health Services Management is tailored to specific roles within the health and social care sectors. For example:
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Quality and Safety: Prepares you for roles such as Clinical Governance Manager or Quality Assurance Manager.
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Digital Health and Analytics: Suitable for positions like Digital Health Project Manager or Health Informatics Manager.
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Leadership: Ideal for roles including Director of Health Services or Healthcare Administrator.
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Business Administration: Fits positions such as Health Services Manager or Hospital Administrator.
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Decision Making for Health Leaders: Prepares you for roles like Policy Analyst or Program Coordinator in health settings.
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Flexible Major: Allows you to tailor your expertise to specific career goals, enhancing versatility in the job market.
The demand for skilled health services managers is growing rapidly, with the healthcare industry projected to expand by 15% by 2030. Graduates of the Master of Health Services Management are well-positioned to meet this demand and lead improvements in healthcare systems, making it a highly relevant and future-focused qualification.
At UTS Online, your success is our priority, and that doesn't change when you study remotely. We're committed to providing you with a comprehensive range of student support services, guiding you from enrolment right through to graduation.
As a UTS student, you'll enjoy access to an array of support services, including:
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Your own dedicated Student Success Advisor, available to answer any course-related questions you may have to keep you on track
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UTS Career Hub for work experience and networking opportunities
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Assignment writing and academic support from teachers & lecturers
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Public speaking and peer learning support
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Confidential medical and mental health services.
Connect with us to learn more about how we support your success while studying for a Master of Health Services Management at UTS Online.
Assignments in our subjects are authentic, relevant and often grounded in your personal clinical context. They vary according to the subject and include, but are not limited to clinical reports, posters, online quizzes and vivas (oral assessment), podcasts, recorded presentations, education tools, proposals, protocols and professional portfolios. You will not be required to complete exams or group assignments to graduate the Master of Health Services Management.
When studying the Master of Health Services Management, your online study experience includes:
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Flexible, user-friendly modules focused on healthcare leadership
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Practical resources like case studies and real-world projects
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Access to academic and technical support
Here’s a video example showcasing key features of our online learning platform, including tools designed to enhance your study experience.
For practical tips on balancing your studies with work and life, click here to learn how to achieve your goals. Remember, our team is just an email or call away to support you every step of the way.
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