Becoming a future healthcare leader: Umamah's story

Choosing my master's

“I chose the University of Salford for several reasons. Firstly, MSc Leadership and Management for Healthcare Practice has a prestigious reputation. Salford also has a strong academic standing and comprehensive curriculum which set it apart from the other universities I considered.

Additionally, the generous Global Gold Excellence Scholarship provided crucial financial support and I felt it demonstrated the university’s commitment to its students’ success. Finally, I heard lots of positive feedback from acquaintances who had studied at Salford and this further influenced my decision. They praised the supportive environment, excellent teaching staff, invaluable resources – all of which led to reassuring me that Salford was the right choice for me.”

My MSc at Salford

“My experience studying MSc Leadership and Management for Healthcare Practice was overwhelmingly positive thanks to the systematic and supportive teaching approach. The teaching methods at Salford are highly structured and create a nurturing learning environment. For me a standout aspect was the empathy of my tutors, throughout the four modules and dissertation they consistently showed a positive attitude and a deep understanding of the students’ needs.

I found the course’s focus on leadership and management distinct from my clinical background and particularly beneficial for my future in both clinical and administrative roles. The programme significantly broadened my perspective on leadership as I was introduced to a range of leadership styles, their intricacies, strategies and the pros and cons of each.

One module, ‘The Me in Leadership,’ was particularly impactful. It encouraged critical self-reflection on my life, perspectives and thought processes, prompting me to evaluate things from both positive and negative angles. This has fundamentally changed my approach to life and professional practice.

Choosing this course was the best decision of my life. It has equipped me with critical thinking skills, leadership knowledge and management capabilities that will be immensely beneficial in my career.”

Outside of the classroom

“Travelling internationally and being far away from home was initially challenging but my time living in Salford and Manchester has been incredibly positive. The warm and friendly nature of the people greatly eased my transition. The vibrant and diverse community very quickly felt like a second home and it was this positive environment which allowed me to focus on my studies quicker.

My most memorable non-academic experience was undoubtedly visiting the Christmas Markets. Arriving from a country with hot weather and no snow, seeing snow for the first time in Salford in November was thrilling. The festive lights also added to the enchanting atmosphere. Another standout experience was the Flower Festival in Manchester city centre which was lively and full of colour.”

Looking to the future

“I have several exciting plans for the future. I am eager to pursue opportunities within the NHS which I regard as a highly esteemed organisation in the UK. I’m open to exploring both clinical and non-clinical roles, as my course has expanded my perspective and revealed opportunities in both areas. Whether my future job involves working directly with patients or taking on administrative responsibilities, I am enthusiastic about applying the skills and knowledge I have gained to make a significant impact.”