Medics Academy

Annual Dates

The Healthcare Leadership Academy (The HLA) and Medics.Academy have together developed a series of leadership programmes that are accredited and supported by the University of Lancashire Medical School. The Intermediate Level 1 Programme is designed and built on the experience of delivering content to hundreds of scholars, fellows and clinicians over several years.   This practical programme, accredited both by a university and professional body, is worth 20 module masters credits which can be used in one of our postgraduate PGCert or MSc programmes with our university partner if you so wish.

The application window closes on the 24th May 2026, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with earlier applications assessed first.

Completion of this programme will also make you eligible to become a Member of the HLA (MHLA letters after your name). 

NHS England Information Evening

For those of you who are interested in applying or knowing more about the programmes, we will be hosting an “Information Evening” on Wednesday, 06th May 2026 - 7pm to 8pm GMT.

During the event, you will be able to,

• Get to know about the HLA, the HLA Scholarship programme & IL1 programme

• Get to know the programme Curriculum, Eligibility, Bursary and the application process

• Understand the programme requirements and commitments

• Find out what bursaries you will be entitled to after completion of the programme

• Understand the eligibility criteria to apply for an HLA Membership or Fellowship

• Clarify any doubts during the Q&A session

You will receive registration instructions for this session via email. If you do not, please contact us at [email protected], and we will help you register.

The Curriculum: Course Content

The programme covers the six domains of The HLA framework. The following curriculum is delivered through a combination of webinars, assignments and online content with a range of speakers, tutors and workshop hosts:

• The Leader as a Communicator
  • How to define and formulate your message
  • How to use communication channels to raise the impact of your role as a leader
    
    
• The Leader as a Manager
  • How to manage people, resources and time
  • What to focus on
    
    
• The Leader as a Negotiator
  • How to get what you need for yourself, your team and your institution
    
    
• The Leader as an Innovator and Entrepreneur
  • How to stand out as an innovator
  • How to become the future of your organisation
    
    
• The Leader as a Follower
  • How to empower your team to spread the burden of leadership
    
    
• The Leader as a Philosopher
  • How to do the right thing
  • How to inspire

Time Commitment

The programme is designed to be completed over 12 months. The programme will require you to complete:

• 70 hours of reading and online learning content
• 30 hours of tutor facilitation of the project development
• 20 hours exploration of interest and career coaching and development
• 100 hours on facilitated leadership project

This is a community driven programme. All candidates are invited to take part in an international network of healthcare leaders, as well as having access to a series of HLA community events as part of the programme. 

Candidates will be able to join the programme in September and March each year. Assessment will be through delivery of a practical project, a series of video presentation submissions and a series of multimedia assignments.

Eligibility

Due to this programme granting Masters level credits, you will be required to demonstrate eligibility criteria for your enrolment. The criteria are: 

• Should be a trainee from NHS England North East (ST1/CT1/IMT1 & above) and will be required to be in an active training position within the region at the point of the start of the programme and throughout.
  
• Students must have sufficient competency in English language (IELTS Level 6.5 or equivalent) 
• Students must be enthusiastic, organised, and autonomous, preferably with prior experience of adult and distance learning

Fees

All eligible NHS England North East trainees (ST1/CT1/IMT1 and above), if they have a successful application to the IL1 will be granted a full scholarship for the whole £2,290 provided they complete the programme within 12 months. Please note that funding is currently available ONLY until September 2026 intake for trainees from the North East.

NHS England North East funding Information page - 
https://madeinheene.hee.nhs.uk/education2/Doctors-in-Training/Leadership-Medical-Education 

What Happens if I Apply to be an HLA Scholar in Subsequent Years?
If an individual undertakes the Intermediate Level 1 programme and then subsequently applies to become an HLA Scholar, they will be able to use their scholar year to complete their Intermediate level 2 component. They will also benefit from a scholarship to other programmes in the Medics.Academy and HLA portfolio at the same level as they would have benefitted if they had not already undertaken the Intermediate Level 1 programme. The HLA Scholars application also has specific awards for previous commitment to The HLA and so the individual will be able to recognise their completion of the Intermediate Level 1 programme in their application. 

If you would like to find out more about the programme, you can email [email protected] and one of the team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.