Executive level · RQF Level 7

Level 7 health and social care courses

Master's-level leadership: the Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management, specialist integrated pathways and MSc routes.

Master's degree standard Ofqual-regulated awards 100% online, no exams

See 57 Level 7 programmes

What Level 7 means in health and social care

Level 7 is master's-degree standard — the highest level of regulated vocational qualification in health and social care. The Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management is designed for directors, executives, senior commissioners and consultants who set strategy for whole organisations and systems rather than individual services.

The diploma develops advanced capability in strategic leadership, health economics and policy, organisational transformation, research and governance. Integrated pathways pair it with a professional certificate in areas such as healthcare finance, occupational health and safety management, palliative and end-of-life leadership or digital health. Graduates frequently use the diploma as the taught stage of an MSc, completing a dissertation with one of LSIB's partner universities.

As with every programme on this site, delivery is 100% online through LSIB, the award comes from an Ofqual-regulated awarding body, assessment is by assignment, and you have a tutor from enrolment to completion.

Who studies at Level 7

Directors and heads of service in care providers, the NHS and local government
Senior managers preparing for executive or board-level roles
Experienced professionals who want an MSc route without leaving work
Level 6 graduates completing the full management pathway

What you will learn

Strategic leadership, governance and organisational transformation in health and social care
Health policy, economics and the funding of care systems
Research methods and leading evidence-based improvement
Managing performance, risk and quality across complex organisations
Specialist integrated certificates and MSc top-up pathways with partner universities

Level 7 programmes

57 programmes · most popular first

Master's degree routes

Where Level 7 leads

Level 7 Diploma holders can progress to an MSc in Health and Social Care Management by completing a dissertation stage with a partner university — see the MSc programmes listed below.

Level 7 questions answered

Is the Level 7 Diploma equivalent to a master's degree?

It sits at the same RQF level as a master's degree and carries 120 credits. It is a regulated diploma, not a university degree; it can be topped up to a full MSc with a dissertation.

Do I need a degree to enrol on the Level 7 Diploma?

A bachelor's degree or a Level 6 qualification is the usual route, but substantial senior management experience is also accepted. Each application is assessed individually.

How does the MSc top-up work?

After the Level 7 Diploma you join a partner university's dissertation stage, usually completed online over a further six to twelve months, and graduate with the university's MSc.

Not sure Level 7 is the right fit?

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