Course Summary
The MA Healthcare Management is a two-year, part-time programme that focuses on the issues that affect the Irish health system.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a primary degree or equivalent qualification. A copy of the qualification should be included along with the application form.
Application Details
Application Deadline: September 2025.
How To Apply
Complete the online Postgraduate application form on the home page. On submitting that, you will receive correspondence from the IPA on next steps/documentation.
Commences: September 2025.
Fees
The cost of the programme is €5,700 per annum, payable in two instalments.
Fees cover seminars, IPA texts, essential textbooks, and matriculation and examination charges. When fees are being paid by the participant’s employer, the IPA will invoice the fee for each semester separately.
Note on Fees: Fees may increase slightly from year to year. Where this occurs, continuing students will be charged the increased fee.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Career Progression
Students may enter the first year of the MA (Postgraduate Diploma) in September or January. Those who enter in September can, on successful completion of the academic year, proceed to the second year. Those who enter in January can finish within the calendar year and proceed to the second year the following September.
Graduates may wish to consider the IPA’s Doctorate in Governance programme.
Duration
Delivery Method
In the first year of the programme, students attend seminars/webinars on three weekends in each semester. In the second year, they attend three seminars/webinars in the first semester and then, in the second, prepare, under expert supervision, a minor dissertation. They are supported in their studies by a range of resources, including bespoke course material and module textbooks.