Offering funded places for the HFMA qualification and MBA

The South West Finance Academy is providing NHS finance staff in the South West with the opportunity to further their knowledge, enhance career opportunities and gain an MBA by enrolling in the HFMA qualification in healthcare business and finance with fully funded places.

What’s on offer?

There are limited places available for the HFMA qualification in healthcare business and finance, and for the Executive MBA top-up programme on offer.

Who can apply and when?  

HFMA’s masters level qualification in healthcare business and finance is designed specifically for individuals working within the UK healthcare sector. It will help you to broaden your understanding of strategic management and business in the health service to help address the financial and operational challenges facing the system.

To be accepted to study on the HFMA qualifications programme you will need to demonstrate through your application that you can study at masters-level. These funded places are only available to colleagues working in NHS finance in the South West. There are no other prerequisites required, and applications from finance professionals in a range of roles and bandings are welcome.

We recommend that candidates with less than two years of professional experience in healthcare should complete the module ‘Making finance work in the NHS’ as part of their HFMA diploma. Qualified accountants with more than 2 years’ experience working in healthcare can gain exemption from the first 60 credits with HFMA if applying to study and wish to move onto the executive MBA.

The places are on offer across the remaining intakes in October 2023 and March 2024.

If you’d like to discuss your suitability for the programme please contact nick.passmore@hfma.org.uk

How do I find out more about the qualification and MBA?

We have run six online informative sessions covering an introduction to the qualification, an overview of some of the modules, the MBA programme and reflections from some existing and former students.

The video recordings of these sessions can be found below. If you have any further queries please contact nick.passmore@hfma.org.uk

How do I apply?

Please complete this application form – https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SouthwestFinanceAcademy/

The initial applications will be taken to the South West Finance Leadership Executive as governing body of the South West Academy, who will approve the funded place. Once approved the HFMA qualifications team will be in touch to complete your formal entry. The funded place is dependent on strength of application and approval from the governing body. Please note, this funding is only available to colleagues who work in NHS finance in the South West.

Deadlines for application

  • 9th October 2023 for October 23 intake
  • 4th March 2024 for March 24 intake

What support will I get as a learner?

The Academy will support learners throughout the application process, and once you are enrolled the HFMA qualification team provides:

  • Support from expert tutors
  • 24/7 accessible learning environment
  • Weekly live evening sessions
  • Guidance on academic study skills
  • Study breaks to allow catch-up

Informative session one – Introduction to the qualification

Informative session two – ‘Managing the Healthcare Business’ and ‘Creating and delivering value in UK healthcare’ modules

Informative session three – ‘Supporting quality care through patient-level costing’ and ‘Personal effectiveness and leadership’ modules

Informative session four – ‘Making finance work in the NHS’ and ‘Tools to support decision making’ modules

Informative session five – Next steps to MBA

Informative session six – Hear from former students