The National Health Service (NHS) graduate management training scheme is open to internal and external graduates of all disciplines. In England, there are four specialisms: general management, human resource management, informatics management and finance management. Each requires a minimum 2.2 degree classification in any subject; or an alternative equivalent health or management-related qualification. A full list of accepted qualifications is available online from the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme at NHS Leadership Programmes but note that the website is closed for applications between November and August.
In England, applications open in August of the year before the course begins and candidates need to apply by November of that year. The graduate programmes start in September. Candidates for schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should check recruitment schedules and procedures by contacting the NHS Scotland Management Training Scheme, Gateway to NHS Wales, or the Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland: General Management Training Scheme.
NHS employees, provided they meet the basic requirements, may apply for the scheme after gaining relevant experience in other roles. Graduates with complex or senior management experience should see NHS Gateway to Leadership. Entry is competitive. England has the largest NHS graduate programme. Recruiting figures vary depending on requirements; in 2008/9 there were over 10,000 applications for 300 graduate places. Some private-sector providers, such as BUPA, also have their own graduate management training schemes (see BUPA Graduate Recruitment).
Entry and progression are also possible (with an appropriate degree and background) into specialist areas, such as property management, human resources (HR), IT and information management. Similarly, some staff with backgrounds in areas other than management can progress into management by gaining qualifications and experience. It is also fairly common for medical professionals, such as nurses, doctors and therapists, to move into general management roles, particularly those involving clinical services. Unlike the management training scheme, this is not a formalised process, but works on an individual basis. Others with management experience who are working outside the NHS may also apply for management positions.
Entrants can also join the NHS at administrator level with GCSEs or equivalent qualifications and work their way up, gaining promotion through junior management roles.
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