About the Postgraduate Programme
This page gives an overview of the PGCert/PGDip/MSc Leading Digital Transformation in Health and Care for Scotland.
Programme Roadmap
Please see the table below outlining the compulsory and optional courses.
- Year 1 (PGCert): Three mandatory courses.
- Year 2 (PGDip): Two mandatory courses. Participants will have the option to select additional courses (60 credits required).
- Year 3 Full (MSc): Participants select a Capstone Project in the final year to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the programme to address a real-world problem or issue to complete the programme
Programme Features
Participants will join a vibrant learning community, rooted in Scotland, to develop a community of skilled people capable of improving health and care locally, nationally, and globally.
Edinburgh University's Usher Institute has a strong track record of delivering innovative health and care leadership training for the Digital, Data, Design, and Technology (DDAT) workforce, as well as aspiring health and care leaders.
While the programme is taught online, the Usher Institute's physical hub and its Usher Innovation community—connecting health and social care innovators across public, private, and third sectors—offer additional opportunities for collaboration, networking, resource sharing, and peer feedback on academic practices.
This cohort-based approach fosters idea exchange and a strong sense of community. Participants will also benefit from a mentoring network that offers support, career guidance, and opportunities for cross-institutional relationships, knowledge-sharing, and skill development.
Vision and Aims of the Programme
This Scotland-led master’s level programme aims to equip participants with the skills and competencies needed to lead digital transformation across Scotland’s health, social care, social work, and housing sectors.
- Rapid acceleration of strategic-level skills to meet the current demands for digital transformation in health and care services in Scotland.
- Increased recognition and professional status of strategic digital lead roles within health and social care organisations in Scotland.
- Collaboration with senior leaders (including executive and non-executive directors) to further develop skills in embedding digital technology and literacy across their organisations.
- A flexible, modular learning approach with three exit awards (PGCert, PGDip, and MSc) and postgraduate professional development options to suit the needs of busy senior leaders and health/social care professionals.
- Viable career pathways and networking opportunities for both current and aspiring leaders in digital transformation roles in Scotland.
Learning Outcomes
The programme learning outcomes include:
- A critical understanding of the principles, methods, and applications of digital transformation in Scotland.
- The ability to identify, assess and evaluate digital solutions to solve complex problems through appropriate use of research methodologies.
- The skills and capacity to analyse facts, situations and settings and apply creative and inventive thinking to reimagine digital solutions and new capabilities to transform health and social care services in Scotland.
- The ability to articulate and effectively explain the processes of digital transformation and adapt communication styles for different situations and audiences, including the citizens of Scotland.
- The ability to strategically lead, influence and implement plans for continual engagement and collaboration with stakeholders to maximize the use of digital innovations to benefit service delivery within organisations.
- The practical skills to devise, lead and demonstrate the application of digital technology solutions for the benefit of service users and/or staff focused on recovery, rehabilitation, and new ways of working.
