Application guidance

Understand more about our recruitment process.

The application process has broadly 4 elements:  

1. Completion of an online application form with general applicant information, by the applicant
   • First, you complete an application form with general applicant information, so all about you. This is not shared or used any wider and is not used in any way to assess the application (i.e. nobody assessing applications sees this data), it is purely for our records and for analysis purposes (e.g. gender split in applications) and where it is not attributed to any individual in any reporting
   • Upon submission of this first part of the application, a subsequent form will automatically be emailed to you for completion and relates to the ‘to be assessed’ questions
2. Completion of an online application form with 5 focused questions, by the applicant. These questions relate to your role, as well as your perceived suitability and motivations for wanting to undertake the programme (including consideration of measuring onward value through digital change). These questions are assessed - in isolation from any other information received - for each application. As the type of form we use does not allow the user to save and return to, we recommend, if you wish to revisit and revise responses before submission, drafting responses elsewhere and inserting them into the form before submission. These 5 ‘to be assessed questions’ are (note, character limits apply to responses and are set out in the form): 
   • Describe your role and the scale of your responsibilities as a digital change leader in the NHS. What are your budgetary responsibilities? Why is this programme important in supporting you lead and/or optimise digital transformation in your role?
   • A key element of this programme is being able to measure the direct impact/value this programme will have on change outcomes in your organisation. How might we determine that? Could you briefly describe how your organisation’s digital progress is measured and how would you hope to improve this?
   • Can you briefly describe how you will be linking with/working directly with your sponsor to ensure they are supporting you in realising the best value possible from the programme?
   • What do you expect to get out of the programme? How does it support your own professional learning and development journey? How will it cement your commitment to being change leader in the NHS?
   • In a cohort of other like-minded digital change leaders, what perspectives and experiences do you expect to bring for the benefit of others in the group? 
3. Completion of a form setting out sponsor details, by the applicant. Upon submission of this, a form will be sent to the sponsor to enable them to provide their support for the application
4. Completion of a sponsor support form, by the sponsor. This includes a statement made in support of the application to endorse the application. The sponsor requirements are covered in the Eligibility section above, however for clarity we would expect that the sponsor will be:
   • Endorsing the application. The Digital Health Leadership Programme is usually over-subscribed. We therefore ask sponsors to carefully consider before endorsing an application to help ensure that the most suitable candidates are put forward and that they confirm that – in their knowledge – the learner meets the application criteria
   • Confirming that they have a strong link to the applicant
   • Confirming that they are happy and able to fulfil their key roles and responsibilities during the programme
   • Meeting with the applicant to discuss a personal development plan

• And throughout the programme the sponsor will:
  • Have the capability and authority to provide the space and time required to focus on the programme. They must ensure that a learner can be released from your regular duties to attend experiential and live learning sessions
  • Maintain regular contact with the learner and act as an advisor, connector and/or encourager
  • Work with the learner to identify projects and opportunities aligned to organisation/system business strategy, so they can use your learning in practice
  • Take an interest in academic life and support with pastoral care. Support with career plans and accelerating progression
  • Help find solutions to barriers and challenges a learner may be experiencing on the programme
  • Help the learner to develop their leadership style and equip them with support and sponsorship to lead through transformational change
  • Be required to attend touchpoint calls between the learner and Imperial College London, as appropriate.

Successful applications

If you are successful in your application, you will begin your enrolment process with Imperial College London immediately (July 2025) prior to starting the learning in September 2025.

It is important that you begin the enrolment process in good time to ensure everything is set up prior to starting the course.

You will need information referenced in the Imperial College London Application and Admissions process for enrolment. We advise all candidates to have this information collated as early as possible to ensure a smooth on-boarding process.

Enrolment

During enrolment you will need to:

• demonstrate your capability for English Language (usually by demonstration that you have GCSE or equivalent in English, or that your degree was conducted in English)
• upload your application form for the Digital Health Leadership Programme (to note, it is a good idea to save a copy of your application upon submission so can reuse where appropriate)
• provide 2 referees
• provide verified, physical copies of your highest qualifications if you have a UK Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) at 2.2 or equivalent. For this, you will need to locate your documentation. If you achieved your qualifications prior to 2000, please ensure you contact your university in good time
• undertake an interview and written assessment if you do not have a UK BSc at 2.2 or equivalent - we do not want degrees to be a barrier to applying for this programme, so having a previous degree is not a pre-requisite.    

If you are an overseas applicant

If you are an overseas applicant, you will need to upload your passport and visa, or Indefinite Leave to Remain documentation - you must be able to demonstrate proof of right to study in the UK for the whole duration of the eligibility period for the cohort (that is, through to August 2026).

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Imperial College London team at [email protected].

Unsuccessful applications

If you are unsuccessful, you will receive a letter with further details.

Inclusive recruitment

We are continuously improving our approach to developing our recruitment processes. We are guided by evidence, and introduce initiatives which aim to encourage a diverse range of individuals to both apply and be successful in securing a place on the Digital Health Leadership Programme.