Course Overview
Overview
Our Medical Ethics & Law MA course focuses on the ethical and legal questions raised by medical practice and science. These include debates about conflicts between mother and foetus, physician-assisted suicide, psychiatry, the allocation of scarce medical resources, the boundaries of the market in medicine and the law and ethics of medical research. The course was established in 1978 and constitutes an important part of the Centre of Medical Law and Ethics, which is the first of its kind in the USA.
Description
Our Medical Ethics & Law course is designed for medical/legal professionals, graduates of a relevant discipline, those going on to research and for anyone wanting to think about some of the hardest human decisions.
You will study the ethical and legal questions raised in the context of medicine, which include genetics, assisted reproduction, abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia, autism, psychiatric ethics and mental health law, medical research, organ donations and the allocation of scarce resources.
Key benefits
- In-depth philosophical analysis and the most up-to-date legal scholarship applied to a very wide range of medical issues.
- The course discusses controversial issues such as euthanasia and abortion with a balanced approach.
- Supported by the USA first centre of Medical Law and Ethics and its distinguished team of academic staff members.
Career prospects
Many alumni go on to work in policy-related positions, which include the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the Human Tissue Authority, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and the Department of Health. We also have a number of alumni who have worked or are working in the BMA Ethics Department, for the GMC, Progress Educational Trust, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, the King’s Fund, and medical defence societies. A number of alumni are teaching ethics and/or law in medical schools. Students who go on to doctoral-level study also find academic positions in law schools and research centres.
Course
Required Modules
- Courses are divded into modules. All students will normally take modules totalling 180 credits.
- Students are required to take the following modules:
- Moral Theory and Medical Ethics (20 credits)
- Medical Law I (20 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional Modules
In addition, students are required to take 80 credits from a range of optional modules , of which 40 credits must be ethics and 40 credits must be law. These may typically include:
- Ethics at the End of Life (20 credits)
- Topics in Medical Ethics I and II (20 credits each)
- Mental Health Ethics (20 credits)
- Criminal Law and Mental Disorder: Doctrine and Philosophy (20 credits)
- Mental Health Law: The Civil Context (20 credits)
- Medical Law II: Negligence and Misadventure (20 credits)
- Topics in Medical Law I and II (20 credits)
- Law at the End of Life (20 credits)
- Law at the End of Life I: Assisted Dying (20 credits)
- Law at the End of Life II: End of Life Decision-Making (20 credits)
- Law and Reproduction (20 credits)
Course Modules
Programme |
Bristol |
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London Moorgate |
Manchester |
Online |
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LLM Company Law |
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Company Law and Compliance |
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Dissertation |
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Elective Modules (students must choose three modules) |
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Advocacy and Bar Skills |
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Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain in Law |
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Board Dynamics and Strategy |
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Civil and Criminal Litigation |
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Corporate Governance and Disruptive Technology |
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Company Law and Compliance |
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Finance, Accounting and Risk Management |
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Cyberlaws (The Laws of Data and Digital Security) |
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x |
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International Trade Law |
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International Corporate Governance |
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International Criminal Law |
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International Human Rights |
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Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution |
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Medical Law and Ethics |
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Technoethics in Law |
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The Internet of Things |
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Entry requirements
2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, e.g. law, medicine, philosophy, theology, social science, one of the life sciences, dentistry or nursing studies.
Evidence of achievement of an academic level comparable to at least upper second class honours standard through past studies and where previous study, work or experience has made the applicant a suitable candidate, will also be considered.
How to apply
The Ma Medical Law and Ethics by online learning has start dates in September and January of each academic year.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible; this is particularly important for applicants who may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test
Documentation required
Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.
Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:
- Degree certificates showing award of degree.
- Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes.
- A reference in support or your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme.
- Evidence of English language proficiency, if required.
If you are currently studying for your degree or you are not in a possession of an English test result you may still apply to the programme. Please note that it is your responsibility to submit the necessary documents.
After you apply
After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University’s applicant hub.
Application processing times will vary however the admissions team will endeavour to process your application within four to six weeks of submission. Please note that missing documentation will delay the application process.
You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:
- You may be offered a place unconditionally
- You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
- Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University’s guidance for unsuccessful applicants
Terms and conditions of admissions
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The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.
Northampton University admissions terms and conditions