Why leadership training is now essential for health and care careers and how Coventry University delivers it

Healthcare leadership is no longer optional. With rising patient demand and system changes across the NHS, the next generation of health and care professionals is expected not only to deliver excellent clinical practice but also to lead it.

At Coventry University’s School of Health and Care, leadership development is built into many postgraduate courses through our partnership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). This means that, alongside advanced clinical or professional knowledge, you graduate with nationally recognised leadership and management credentials that employers value.

If you’re planning a career in the NHS, social care, public health or healthcare management, this combination is becoming a big advantage.

Why leadership skills matter more than ever in healthcare

Healthcare roles today often require leading on projects, managing teams or contributing to service improvement far earlier in a career than in the past.

On a national level, leadership skills have been critical for the future of the NHS, with long-term plans focused on developing clinical and operational leaders at every level of the workforce.

In practice, this means employers are looking for more and more graduates who can communicate well across teams, manage changes and uncertainty, lead ethically and balance patient care with the pressures of service delivery. Professional leadership training (alongside academic study) makes a huge difference.

Coventry University and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

The Chartered Management Institute is the UK’s leading professional body for management and leadership. CMI qualifications are widely recognised across healthcare, the public sector and industry as a representation of professional leadership competence.

Through various health and care postgraduate courses at Coventry University, you can work towards CMI accreditation as part of your studies. This embeds leadership theory, practical management skills and professional standards directly into the curriculum as a core part.

This means graduating with both a university qualification and a respected professional award, which is a great way to strengthen your CV.

Leadership development across health and care disciplines

CMI accreditation is not limited to management-focused degrees. You can find leadership development integrated across a range of Coventry University’s health courses, including:

• occupational therapy
• physiotherapy
• healthcare management
• public health
• health and care leadership
• other postgraduate health programmes.

This approach supports clinical professionals who may go on to lead services, departments, research projects or multidisciplinary teams – as well as those pursuing specific leadership and management roles.

Student success spotlight: national recognition for leadership excellence

At a recent national CMI awards ceremony, six Coventry University postgraduate students were recognised for their achievements in leadership and management through CMI-accredited professional development modules. Many of those celebrated were studying health and care subjects, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy and healthcare management.

This recognition shows that leadership training at Coventry University isn’t just theoretical, but delivers practical, professionally recognised skills that employers trust. It’s a clear sign that leadership development is taken seriously and built into our health and care courses. .

Benefits for both students and employers

Graduates entering the healthcare workforce today face big competition and complex workplaces with rapid changes. Holding a CMI qualification alongside a postgraduate degree offers several advantages:

• Enhanced employability in NHS and health sector roles
• Faster progression into leadership or specialist positions
• Greater confidence in managing teams and services
• A professional credential recognised beyond the university

For employers:

• Graduates ready to contribute to service improvement
• Strong foundations in leadership and governance
• Better preparedness for operational and workforce challenges
• Alignment with national priorities around leadership capability

In short, CMI accreditation helps bridge the gap between academic study and the realities of modern healthcare leadership.

Preparing tomorrow’s healthcare leaders

Whether your dream is to become a clinical specialist, service manager, policy leader or senior healthcare professional, leadership skills are what will take your career to the next level.

At Coventry University’s School of Health and Care, leadership development is so important – it’s woven into the learning, supported by professional standards and strengthened through our partnership with the Chartered Management Institute.

As the NHS and health services continue to evolve, our graduates are leaving as skilled practitioners and confident leaders ready to make a positive impact.

Explore our postgraduate health and care courses to discover how CMI accreditation and leadership development can support your future career in healthcare.