New Opportunity Alert! The National Health System (NHS) has rolled out an opportunity – Graduate Management Training Scheme – for interested and qualified individuals.
This page will talk about the overview of the NHS. Also, we will dive deep into the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme including the scheme’s areas of specialization, entry requirements and other pertinent information.
What’s NHS all about?
The National Health System is the healthcare system in the UK. It guarantees healthcare for all legal residents.
NHS is state-owned and its funding comes from two sources which includes general taxation (accounting for 80% of the funding) and national insurance (a payroll tax from employees and employers).
In context, it means the public accesses ambulance rides, emergency room visits, long hospital admission, surgery, chemotherapy and other health care needs for free.
NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme
Basically, the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme is a fast-track programme that prepares you to work as a senior manager in healthcare.
Also, while you undertake the training scheme, the NHS employs you on a fixed-term contract and you are entitled to salary.
Applications open: September 26, 2022
Areas of Specialization
If you decide to get onboard the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, the following are the fields you can specialize in:
- General Management
- Financial Management
- Human Resources
- Health Informatics
- Policy and Strategy
- Health Analysis
Duration of NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme
Unless you are specializing in finance, the scheme lasts for two years.
If you are in Finance, your stay on the scheme lasts for two and a half years.
In consonance with the information on NHS platform, during this period you will undergo:
- Intensive foundation training
- Work placements and trainings with experienced professionals – managers and clinicians
- An educational programme leading to either a professional or postgraduate degree qualification
- A specialist management development training.
Entry Requirements
Academic qualifications requirements for entry are in different categories. Once you meet the requirements for any, you can apply for this scheme.
They include:
1. Minimum of Second Class Lower (2.2) in any undergraduate degree programme.
If your interest lies in Health Analysis, you must have a minimum of 2:2 degree in a numerate subject or degree with not less than 30% numerate content.
The above requirements apply to bachelors degree graduates and current NHS in-service staff.
2. A postgraduate qualification. That is, MBA, Masters or PhD.
3. Qualifications equivalent to health or management related degree. Examples of equivalent qualifications include:
- NVQ Level 5 in Management
- Diploma in Management Studies (DMS)
- Diploma in Nursing, Midwifery or Health Visiting (Dip HE Nursing) etc.
- Diploma from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Diploma in Speech & Language Therapy
- Diploma from the College of Occupational Therapy (DipCOT)
- Diploma from the College of Radiographers (DCR)
- Diploma in Social Work (DSW) or the Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW)
The following qualifications are not accepted:
- Certificate in Management Studies
- DipHE (Diploma of Higher Education) in any subject other than that listed above
- ONC/OND (Ordinary National Certificate/Diploma)
- HNC/HND (Higher National Certificate/Diploma)
- CGLI/C&G (City & Guilds)
- ODA/ODP Certificate or Diploma (Operating Department Assistant/Operating Department Practice)
Other academic qualifications related information:
Due to the nature of the scheme, applying means you possess the ability to assimilate, analyse and explain complex concepts, data and statistics.
Also, to apply for the Department of Health and Social Care Health Policy Fast Track Scheme you must have a minimum of 2.1 degree in any subject.
UK Work Permit
In order to have a place on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, you have to meet the work permit requirements.
This scheme is not a student program. Trainees will be employed on a full-time basis for the duration of the scheme.
For this reason, you must have the right to work in the UK throughout the duration of the scheme. So, ensure you have the appropriate visa. And if there are any changes in your immigration status after you’ve applied, it’s important you notify the management of the scheme.
In addition, once they make you an offer, there will be a pre-employment check on your immigration status.
Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2 visa)
If you currently stay in the UK on a Tier 4 (General) Student visa and you desire to have a Skilled Worker visa, the NHS will accept your application. But make sure you check with the Home Office to know if you are eligible.
Lastly, getting into the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme doesn’t require previous work experience. However, it’s a plus if you have one because it will be helpful at the interview stage.
