This Master's level unit is designed to enhance knowledge and skills to those in leadership and management roles to undertake change initiatives. Students will be able to gain a systematic understanding of relevant literature including a critical awareness of current issues and recent research related to leading change.

This unit aims to address the needs of managers and leaders in health and social care who are working in a culture of constant change and service development.

Students will critically examine the implementation of change in projects’ professional, organisational, social and cultural contexts. They will critically reflect on their leadership style and skills, extending knowledge of themselves when engaging with colleagues and other stakeholders, and will apply this understanding to practice.

Students will receive structured opportunities for critical reflection within a well-resourced and research-informed learning community.

This course consists of online blended learning and teaching methods; including ‘live’ virtual seminars, case studies, recorded presentations, reflective activities, tutorial support and online resources provided through Bournemouth University’s virtual learning environment.

Aims

The unit aims to provide an opportunity for new managers and leaders to:

• Critically consider their role in leading themselves and others in a change environment
• Develop skills and knowledge which will support them to be effective within their role
• Critically reflect on how they can contribute to the development and maintenance of an effective learning culture within their organisation.

Overview of course 

Key topics covered in this unit are: 

• Leadership styles: proactivity and vision
• Change management and transition
• Learning cultures, learning organisations and communities of practice
• Promoting professional development and facilitating adult learning in the workplace; motivation; understanding and overcoming resistance 
• Promoting critical practice and critical reflection
• Team effectiveness, dynamics, conflict, dysfunctions 
• Self –awareness: self-management; power; influence
• Resilience within the change process
• Social/health policy and political drivers for change 

Learning outcomes

Having completed this unit the student is expected to demonstrate:

1. a systematic understanding of relevant literature including a critical awareness of current issues and recent research.
2. the ability to critically evaluate and improve their practice with regard to leading self and others within a change environment, taking into account current professional and organisational benchmarks and standards
3. the ability to understand and critically discuss the role of leaders at all levels in the implementation and management of change

This unit is a core unit on the MA Leading and Developing Services Programme.

This course requires 100% attendance.

Normally students may enter Level 7 (Master's level) study if they have been awarded:

• Undergraduate degree (honours or non-honours)
• An equivalent qualification (the learning outcome of which are demonstrably appropriate in terms of knowledge, understanding and skills) equivalent to 120 credits at Level 6.

If you do not meet the criteria you are still able to apply for this unit but we may ask you for evidence to confirm your employer will support you and/or ask you to complete pre-admission work. Please contact the Course Leader for more information. 

Fees and funding:

You will need to pay or indicate employer support of payment for unit or course fees to the university.

Applicants should contact their employing organisation for further details.

Pre-purchased places

The Faculty of Health & Social Sciences has contractual arrangements with NHS organisations, Local Authorities and the Pan-Dorset & Wiltshire Teaching Partnership for pre-paid places on specified modules. If you work within Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset or Hampshire and Isle of Wight you may be able to access the pre-paid places. These arrangements allow organisations to nominate the staff they wish to send on each unit or course.

The pre-arranged agreements allow individuals, such as yourself, a route to access appropriate professional development opportunities that are seen as strategically important to your organisation (in consultation with your Line Manager/Education Co-ordinator). All requests for pre-paid places must first be agreed by your organisation prior to completing an application.

The coursework comprises a reflective report and an action plan for future practice.

Course review:

In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in practice to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.  These changes will come into effect for all new students from September 2025. Applicants will be notified by our admissions team of any changes.