Join the Programme
Applications for HLA Scholars Programme 2024-25 is now closed
The Application Window Is Now Closed.
Applications for the HLA Scholar’s Programme 2024-2025 are now closed, and are reviewed on a rolling basis, with early applications reviewed first. If you have submitted your application after the deadline then your application will be considered for the next intake (starting in September 2025).
Applications that meet the high standards required for admission into the HLA are accepted on a first-come basis.
Applications submitted now will be considered for the September 2025 intake.
About the Application Portal
Thank you for your interest in the HLA Scholars Programme. The health service has never needed decent and honest leadership more than it does at the present moment. The Healthcare Leadership Academy has been created to nurture, empower and support healthcare workers to become those future leaders. It is founded on a belief the health service is not inevitably one way or another. That things can in fact be changed and indeed changed very rapidly, if they are addressed by someone with sufficient confidence, knowledge and authority. It is these attributes that we will help you to develop.
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Within the next few years the HLA will spread onto three continents and we will recruit scholars from over 50 countries. Our progress has only been made possible because of the extraordinary hard work of our community, the spirit of common purpose amongst our scholars and the unity our scholars find in their diversity.
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You will find information within this portal covering what you need to know for your application, including frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions, please do reach out to operations@thehealthcareleadership.academy.
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Meet some of our HLA Alumni
Dr Elaine Winkley
Jacob Oguntimehin
Olamide Dada
Sida Mao
Jim Determeijer
Our History
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Founded in 2016, the HLA Scholarship recognises and develops healthcare students and professionals with outstanding leadership potential. Our alumni include exceptional nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, paramedics, dieticians, radiographers, physician associates, dentists, doctors, therapists, and allied healthcare professionals. The HLA started in London and has since rapidly spread with cohorts in Newcastle, Bristol, Belfast, Edinburgh, Amsterdam and Queensland. Although a majority of our scholars are from Europe, many others are located across the world with individuals attending our virtual cohorts this last year whilst living in regions ranging from Ethiopia to Singapore, and from Japan to Siberia.
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The HLA is approved by The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), is a certified member of Social Enterprises UK, is proudly sponsored by The MDU, commissioned by Health Education England North East and Health Education England South West, and partnered with the Medical Technology Start-up Medics.Academy. Through our partners at Medics.Academy, we work with institutions across the globe including the World Health Organisation, the UK House of Lords, the UK Government, Health Education England and Amnesty International, as well as universities ranging from University College London’s Academic Careers Office through to The University of Queensland in Australia and Mekelle University in Ethiopia. Those who complete the programme are eligible to have the qualification recognised with post-nominals from the HLA (MHLA).
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In this cycle of applications to our internationally celebrated HLA Scholars programme, we are proud to announce we are offering even more places to outstanding applicants across the medical, nursing and allied health professions.
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Cohorts
The next Scholar’s Programme starts in September 2024. The cohorts will have contact sessions based primarily in one of the following locations: London, Newcastle, Bristol, Belfast, Edinburgh and Amsterdam and at least 3 virtual global cohorts to allow cross-continental cohorts with scholars collaborating from all over the world. There will be approximately 10-15 scholars per cohort. Cohorts are designed to be interdisciplinary, with healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds, countries and professional interests.
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Are there any costs associated with the programme?
The HLA programme is free at the point of access. The full £3,000 cost of the programme is covered by your scholarship. If you are successful in the selection process, you will not have any costs associated with the programme apart from paying for your own travel to the in-person contact days (if you choose an in-person rather than online global cohort). Therefore if you choose an online only cohort, there will be no cost whatsoever.
We are very grateful to Namita Kumar, Aly Williamson and their team at Health Education England North East (HEE NE) and Jane Thurlow, Anne Elliott and the team at Health Education England, Severn Deanery, as well as Louise Dubras for supporting HLA Belfast, and our partners Medics.Academy, who facilitate our ability to offer 100 scholarships for free.
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Is the programme aimed at a specific level in the healthcare system i.e. students, consultants or somewhere in between?
The Scholars programme is not clinical stage-specific. We have run programmes for many years that have students through to very senior healthcare professionals on the same programme and we get consistently excellent feedback. Our focus is on the core skills of leadership and how to practically apply them to your current situation. The HLA focuses on developing your personal leadership journey and project with input from all kinds of backgrounds, professions, senioritis, nationalities and expertises. Peer learning, mentoring, building a network and utilising the expertise within the community will all form part of your HLA experience.
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Can you apply whilst also studying at another institution?
Yes. Enrolling into the HLA scholarship programme is permitted whilst studying at other institutions including universities. Joining the HLA does not contravene normal university requirements for you to avoid enrolling into more than one university programme at once, as the HLA is a non-profit social purpose institution rather than a university.
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How long is the programme?
The programme takes the form of 8 mandatory contact days over a 12-month period. Our experience is that your hospitals, universities or institutions will provide study leave if requested ahead of time. We provide supporting letters as required. All contact dates for the coming year have been set to allow scholars to arrange leave in time.
Scholars also study written and recorded leadership theory content via our scholar portal for around one hour each week during the scholar year.
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Can you choose to attend online or in person?
You can choose to attend an in-person cohort in one of our education sites across London, Newcastle, Bristol, Belfast, Edinburgh or Amsterdam, or an online global cohort that will be conducted entirely through live online contact days.
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What will the training cover?
The programme is mapped against the United Kingdom’s National Health Service Leadership Framework and covers the 6 domains of The Healthcare Leadership Academy curriculum:
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The Leader as a Communicator
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The Leader as a Manager
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The Leader as a Negotiator
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The Leader as an Innovator and Entrepreneur
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The Leader as a Follower
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The Leader as a Philosopher
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What is expected of scholars?
Scholars will be expected to develop a project of their own choosing over the course of their year. Previous projects have reached national prominence, winning prizes, publications and presentations at national events. We host celebrations of scholar’s projects at venues including the House of Lords, Amnesty International and our university partners. Participants will also have opportunities to be introduced to key leaders and individuals that will help challenge their thinking and support them in the development of their work and careers.
