Medical Ethics and Law - MA
This programme provides an opportunity to undertake in-depth study of healthcare ethics and law, and to develop the ability to think systematically and critically about the moral and legal issues that healthcare professionals and those involved in healthcare management and policy may encounter in the course of their work. Ideal for working professionals or recent graduates, the programme comprises four taught modules plus a dissertation on a topic chosen by the student. Teaching takes place in short, intensive blocks to facilitate combining study with full-time work, and the course may be studied flexibly over one, two or five years.
Month of entry
- September
Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
Fees for 2026/27 academic year
-
UK - Full time: £10,400 per year
UK - Part time: Year 1: £7,600, Year 2: £3,800
International - Full time: £18,200 per year
Duration of study
- Full time - 1 year full-time, or up to 2 years with Placement, Part time - 2 years, Modular - Up to 5 years
This course is no longer accepting applications from international students for the 2025/26 academic year.
Why study Medical Ethics and Law at Keele University?
Course summary
New developments in treatments and technology, coupled with shifting social attitudes, mean that the legal and ethical issues around healthcare and medicine are constantly changing, posing serious challenges for those involved.
Practical in focus and regularly updated to reflect new issues that arise – from COVID-19 to the role of AI in healthcare – our MA aims to help you navigate the complex moral and legal considerations surrounding the planning and delivery of healthcare, and associated activities such as medical research.
Is it acceptable, for example, to disclose a patient’s medical history to protect others from infectious diseases like HIV? At what point should healthcare professionals stop trying to prolong life? Or, to save a life, should doctors ever overrule a refusal of treatment based cultural or religious reasons or an advance directive?
Undertaking a medical ethics course cannot provide all the answers – not least because there are far too many questions to consider, but also because there often is no easy answer. However, it can prepare you to work out answers yourself responsibly, professionally and with integrity.
Drawing on real-life and hypothetical cases, research, news and shared experiences, our MA introduces you to relevant concepts, theories and frameworks – highlighting their pros and cons and providing you with a range of analytical tools with which to assess different ethical and legal claims. You’ll also learn to communicate ethical and legal arguments more clearly to others.
Working on a range of scenarios and with a focus on practical application, you’ll construct, categorise and criticise different ethical arguments, spotting common fallacies and identifying weaknesses in an argument. For example, students recently considered the moral and legal arguments raised in a 2021 High Court case on the Abortion Act 1967, and whether a provision permitting abortion up until birth in the case of foetal disabilities such as Down Syndrome was discriminatory and in contravention of Human Rights.
The course typically attracts a broad range of professionals in healthcare, law and related areas, recent graduates and intercalating medical students, which enriches discussion, debate and shared experiences. In fact, students frequently tell us that what they value most is being exposed to a huge range of contrasting viewpoints, meeting and exchanging ideas with peers who work in different fields and sectors, in other parts of the country, and sometimes the world.
Past students have included doctors, nurses, lawyers, health care managers, radiographers, dentists, veterinary practitioners, chaplains, charity and voluntary workers, social workers, hospice directors, hospital administrators, medical and pharmaceutical researchers, research ethics committee members, philosophy, law and bioscience graduates, journalists, and health care educators.
Other courses you might be interested in:
"My MA in Medical Ethics and Law changed the way I think as well as my career trajectory. I am now a Lead Tutor for Ethics and Law education at Manchester University Medical School, a member of a tertiary children’s hospital’s ethics committee and part of my Royal College’s working group on genomics all directly because of the MA. More importantly, my improved ability to frame a question, analyse information and construct answers has totally changed the way I work as a doctor, especially within management and leadership roles. I had to sit back and ask myself questions about why I believed one thing, rather than the other, on numerous occasions and it was a fun, educational and humbling experience. One that I benefitted from and would strongly encourage others to do."
Course structure
The programme is purposefully structured in a way that allows you to maintain full-time employment whilst studying, particularly important for students seeking continuing professional development or looking to switch careers.
Starting in October, it can be studied over one year full-time, two years part-time or up to five years if you choose to study on a modular basis. Teaching is delivered in short, intense blocks of typically three days’ duration. The part-time programme requires only 13 days attendance in Year 1 and two days in Year 2.
On the MA, you will complete 180 credits, which comprises four 30-credit taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation, which is studied over the course of a year on a topic of your choice.
The first two modules, which are studied alongside students on the MA in Medical Ethics and Palliative Care, provide a solid introduction to medical ethics and medical law. You’ll also develop your understanding of the language, norms and conventions used when writing or preparing academic arguments in these disciplines.
The third and fourth modules apply the skills developed in the first two modules to the analysis of ethical and legal issues arising within the doctor-patient relationship and the broader policy context.
Students may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate or a Postgraduate Diploma after successful completion of two or four taught modules.
The information below outlines a one-year full-time study schedule. When taken part-time, the taught modules are taken in the first year, with the dissertation being completed in the second year. If you opt for modular study, you will take one or more taught modules per year for a period of up to four years, followed by the dissertation in your final year.
If you choose the 'with Placement' route, you will complete a 6-12 month placement module after the taught element of your programme.
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Core modules
Moral Theory and Medical Ethics (30 credits, Semester 1)
This module provides an overview of the key ethical theories, frameworks and principles that underpin decisions and action by doctors, health providers, patients and families in relation to treatment plans and to achieve a shared goal. You’ll learn to use these tools to analyse practical moral problems in medical and healthcare ethics. Topics covered typically include: consequentialism; deontology; virtue ethics; the ethics of care; principlism; autonomy and paternalism; the ethical foundations of consent; confidentiality and truth-telling.
Principles of Medical Law (30 credits, Semester 1)
Developing your knowledge of the key principles, cases and statutes in medical law, you’ll learn to critique aspects of medical law and apply your knowledge of the law to practices in medicine and healthcare. Topics covered typically include: introduction to law; use of cases and statutes; law and consent; capacity; professional negligence; mental health law; confidentiality and the law; the relationship between law and morality; adolescent competence, parental responsibility and child decision-making; and human rights.
Life, Death and the Human Body (30 credits, Semester 2)
Ranging from abortion and regulation of reproduction to selective reproduction, euthanasia and living organ donation, this module focuses on the often controversial issues surrounding the moral and legal status of humans and human bodies and their implications for interventions at the beginning and end-of-life, as well as modifications to the human body. Other topics typically covered include disability and impairment, advance decisions, terminal sedation, and end-of-life decisions for children.
Healthcare, Justice and Society (30 credits, Semester 2)
The ethical and legal implications of healthcare practice extend much further than the practitioners and patients themselves, with ramifications for wider society given the breadth and scope of healthcare services. The aim of this module is to deepen your knowledge and understanding of some of the broader ethical and legal issues in healthcare. The module content is responsive to contemporary issues, but may include ethical and legal issues relating to topics such as the allocation of healthcare resources, medical research, the environmental impact of healthcare, AI in healthcare, vaccination policy and pandemic management.
Medical Ethics and Law Dissertation (60 credits, semesters 1-3)
The production of a 15,000 to 20,000-word dissertation provides an exciting opportunity to work under the supervision of an expert in your chosen field of interest, demonstrating a level of knowledge and understanding far beyond what you have learned in class. You’ll be supported to develop the research skills needed to conduct an extended piece of work on a topic of your choice, analysing existing relevant research. While your dissertation must relate to an issue within the broad area of health care law or ethics, you can choose your own topic to reflect your personal or professional interest. Some students start the course with a clear idea about what they want to write about – often an ethical issue from within their own practice – but others find and develop particular interests as the course progresses.
Examples of recent dissertation topics which reflect the breadth of the subject include saviour siblings; female genital mutilation versus female genital cosmetic surgery; conversion therapy; AI and robotic surgery; resources and GP virtual consultations; and social media solicitation for organ donation.
Full-time students work on the dissertation alongside their taught modules, beginning in October and submitting in September. Part-time students do the dissertation in their second year, after completing the taught modules. All students attend two Dissertation Study Days and have opportunities to receive advice and feedback from their supervisor.
"I am an Anaesthetic and Intensive Care Registrar, and completing this degree has been an invaluable experience. This course has provided me with the tools and perspectives needed to navigate complex ethical situations in my field. I particularly appreciate how the program emphasises that, in ethics, the journey toward understanding and resolving conflicts is as important as the conclusion itself."
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject from a private university
or
CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a health, psychology, sociology, humanities or social sciences subject from a private university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject or 65% in a degree in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in a degree of at least 3 years in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a special bachelor's degree in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in a Health, Humanities or Social Sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Intercalating Medical Students
We welcome applications from undergraduate medical students who have the option to take an intercalated year. To take the MA in Medical Ethics and Law as an intercalated year, you must normally have completed the fourth year of a medical degree. To ensure the course is completed within one year, you must study the MA in Medical Ethics and Law as a full time student.
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
Professional qualifications and work experience
The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.
Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application. For international students, find out how we work with approved agents as part of our admissions process.
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Postgraduate funding and scholarships
Funding
Whether you're continuing from undergraduate study or returning to education, our dedicated financial support team is here to help.
Living costs
Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2026 start date falls in the 2025/26 academic year. Please see the tuition fees archive for the 2025/26 fees.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our financial support team.
Scholarships
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our bursaries and scholarships webpages for more information.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Additional costs
You do not need to budget for additional mandatory or optional costs beyond standard study expenses. For general information, see the university's additional costs information.
Teaching, learning and assessment
How you'll be taught
Run by the School of Law at Keele University, this course is taught by a team of ethicists and legal academics who are both active researchers and experienced in delivering postgraduate medical ethics education.
Interactive and practical teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work and case studies. Ethics is not a spectator sport and you’ll be encouraged to engage in discussion and debate from the outset.
From time to time, experts from outside Keele may be invited to speak on the course, providing alternative academic and professional perspectives. Past speakers have included, for example, the CEO of St Giles Hospice, as well as distinguished graduates of the course, such as Dr Joe Brierley, Consultant in paediatric and neonatal intensive care, and Director of the Paediatric Bioethics Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.
Students frequently tell us that what they value most from this course is being exposed to a huge range of contrasting viewpoints, meeting and exchanging ideas with peers who work in different fields and sectors in other parts of the country, sometimes the world.
Teaching takes place in three-day blocks and we often organise an informal meal during the first block so you can get to know your staff and fellow students. You are welcome to come to Keele between blocks to meet with your academic mentor or supervisor, attend talks by visiting speakers, and use other university facilities, though you can keep in touch via email, phone or videoconferencing if you live further away.
As part of the course, you will receive lots of academic training and support, for example, in how to write essays and construct arguments in ethical issues. On the Moral Theory and Medical Ethics module, you’ll be introduced to the norms and conventions of academic argument and writing in applied ethics, while the Principles of Medical Law module covers writing law essays, preparing legal arguments and referencing. You will be allocated an academic mentor, who can support your progress though the course. You also have the option of 1:1 appointments with learning development advisors.
Teaching schedule
The 2026/27 in-person teaching schedule for the taught modules is outlined below. Please note, we reserve the right to changes these dates in exceptional circumstances.
Outside of this scheduled teaching, you will be able to consult with academic mentors, dissertation supervisors and the Law School Learning Development Officer, and will have access to the University’s learning and teaching facilities and support services.
Induction day (all new full-time, part-time and modular students)
- Tuesday 29 September 2026.
Taught modules (all full-time and new part-time students)
- Moral Theory and Medical Ethics: Tuesday 29 September - Friday 2 October 2026
- Principles of Medical Law: Wednesday 25 - Friday 27 November 2026
- Life, Death and the Human Body: Wednesday 27 - Friday 29 January 2027
- Healthcare, Justice and Society: Monday 22 - Wednesday 24 March 2027
Dissertation module (all full-time and second year part time students)
- Monday 12 October 2026 and Friday 23 April 2027
How you’ll be assessed
There are no exams on this course. Instead, at the end of each module, you will be required to write a 5,000-word essay, as well as your final dissertation. For each module, you will have a choice of questions reflecting the topics covered in the teaching. You will receive feedback on your essay during the subsequent teaching block, enabling continuous improvement over the duration of the course.
