Postgraduate Diploma in Health Service Management
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Service Management is a programme that equips health professionals with knowledge and skills in healthcare management, health systems leadership and health service administration. Offered at Great Lakes University of Kisumu, the programme prepares professionals to manage health services and lead healthcare organisations effectively.
The curriculum covers health systems management, healthcare administration, health policy, health financing, human resource management in healthcare, health information systems, quality assurance in healthcare, healthcare planning, health project management, health economics, research methods and a research project. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in health service management.
The programme responds to the need for trained health managers who can lead health facilities, manage health programmes and strengthen health systems. It provides a comprehensive foundation for health professionals seeking management and leadership roles.
The programme is delivered through full-time and part-time modes, with lectures, case studies, management simulations, field visits to health facilities and a supervised research project. Students gain practical experience through field research and management practicum.
Graduates pursue careers as health service managers, hospital administrators, health programme coordinators, health policy analysts and healthcare consultants in hospitals, county health departments, NGOs and health insurance organisations. They can also progress to a Master's degree in health management or public health.
Prospective students should have a background in health sciences, nursing, clinical medicine, public health or a related field. The programme is suitable for health professionals seeking to transition into management roles.
- Duration
- 1 year
- Private, up to
- Ksh 120,000
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time, Part-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 15 students
- Award
- Postgraduate Diploma
What you study
6 subjects- Health Systems Management and Healthcare Administration
- Health Policy and Health Financing
- Human Resource Management in Healthcare and Health Information Systems
- Quality Assurance in Healthcare and Healthcare Planning
- Health Project Management and Health Economics
- Research Methods and Research Project
Modules
6 in the programmeHealth Systems Management and Healthcare Administration
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers health systems, health system frameworks, healthcare administration, organisational behaviour in healthcare, healthcare delivery models and health system strengthening.
Health Policy and Health Financing
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers health policy, policy analysis, health financing, health insurance, NHIF, healthcare funding models, UHC and health expenditure management.
Human Resource Management in Healthcare and Health Information Systems
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers human resource management in healthcare, health workforce planning, health information systems, HMIS, e-health and data management for decision-making.
Quality Assurance in Healthcare and Healthcare Planning
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers quality assurance in healthcare, quality improvement, patient safety, healthcare planning, strategic planning for health facilities and healthcare standards.
Health Project Management and Health Economics
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers health project management, project cycle, M&E in health projects, health economics, economic evaluation, cost-effectiveness analysis and resource allocation.
Research Methods and Research Project
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers research methods in health management, research design, data collection, health management research and a supervised research project on a health service management topic.
Specialisations
Hospital Administration
Focuses on hospital operations and management for careers as hospital administrators.
Health Policy
Specialises in health policy analysis and development for careers as policy analysts.
Health Financing
Focuses on health financing and insurance for careers in health insurance and financing.
Quality Assurance
Specialises in quality improvement and patient safety for careers as quality officers.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on health systems management or health financing, followed by a case study on hospital administration or a management simulation exercise. Afternoon sessions may include a health policy seminar, a quality assurance workshop, or work on the research project. Students also participate in field visits to health facilities.
The trade offs
In its favour
- The programme bridges clinical expertise with management skills, enabling health professionals to take leadership roles.
- Graduates can progress to a Master's degree in health management or public health.
- Health management expertise is in demand as Kenya devolves healthcare to counties.
Against it
- The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
- Health management careers may require additional experience in healthcare settings.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 349 health sciences coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
GLUK offers PGD HSM (gluk.ac.ke). Est. ~120,000/yr based on GLUK 60,000/sem postgrad rate. No public uni.
Students can access HELB loans for postgraduate study. GLUK may offer internal bursaries. Health organisations and county governments may sponsor health professionals pursuing management training.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes at recognised institutions
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- C+
- Alternative entry
- Bachelor's degree with First Class or Upper Second Honours, or Lower Second with relevant work experience, preferably in health sciences, nursing, clinical medicine, public health or a related field.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering health systems, health policy, health financing, quality assurance and health project management.
Management Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of management case studies, policy briefs, project plans, quality improvement proposals and group presentations.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A supervised research project on a health service management topic, assessed through a written report and oral defence.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Great Lakes University of Kisumu.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Great Lakes University of Kisumu.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesHealth Service Manager
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages health service delivery, oversees health facility operations, coordinates health programmes and ensures quality healthcare services in hospitals and health departments.
Hospital Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 280,000
Administers hospital operations, manages budgets, coordinates departments, oversees human resources and ensures compliance with healthcare standards.
Health Programme Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 230,000
Coordinates health programmes, manages project implementation, monitors outcomes and supports programme design in NGOs and health organisations.
Healthcare Consultant
Low demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides consultancy on healthcare management, supports health system strengthening, advises on quality improvement and supports healthcare planning.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as health service managers, hospital administrators, health programme coordinators and healthcare consultants in hospitals, county health departments and NGOs.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Health service management is just about administration.
Health service management involves health systems thinking, policy analysis, financial management, quality assurance, human resource management and strategic planning for healthcare organisations.
A postgraduate diploma in health management is only for doctors.
The programme is designed for nurses, clinical officers, public health officers and other health professionals, not just doctors.
Health management is only relevant in hospitals.
Health management skills are needed across hospitals, county health departments, NGOs, health insurance organisations and national health agencies.
Health service management doesn't require research skills.
Evidence-based management is essential in healthcare. The programme includes research methods and a supervised research project.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Postgraduate Diploma in Health Service Management are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.