Biomedical and Healthcare Ethics MA

Course overview

Explore the application of ethics in the biomedical and healthcare sectors, and develop the knowledge and skills needed to address the complex ethical issues facing professionals in this field.

This online course allows you to investigate current issues, debates and theories surrounding ethical principles in medicine and healthcare.

You’ll gain a critical understanding of issues such as trust, confidentiality, autonomy and consent, and demonstrate the contemporary relevance of your findings by applying them to real-life case studies.

Throughout the course, you’ll benefit from teaching informed by consultation with healthcare professionals and shaped by the latest social, technological and political developments. You’ll learn from experts who are experienced and actively engaged in research in this field.

You’ll join a diverse community of people from many different countries and backgrounds, with many opportunities to network and connect with our online community throughout your time studying with us, including various events and activities we run as an active and thriving applied ethics research centre.

Many of our students have achieved publication of a paper as a result of their time studying with us and some have been interviewed on our podcast. Whether you’re looking to progress in your career, change to a new one, or explore a new subject area, you’ll be fully supported in achieving your goals.

You can study this course on campus or online, and at Masters or PGDip level. All of these options are available both full time and part time.

Specialist support

We have extensive experience in providing high-quality online learning, having run this course in an online format for more than a decade. You’ll study at the times and pace that suit you, whether taking the course full time or part time, sharing insights with other students as you learn. Throughout, you’ll receive expert support as well as opportunities for live discussions with your module leaders, and your academic personal tutor.

Extensive resources

You’ll study using course materials that have been specially designed for online distance learning, including reading, supplements and exercises. You can easily access these at any time using the University’s virtual learning environment, Minerva.

The IDEA Centre is an active and thriving centre of research and learning, with regular research seminars, podcasts, and annual events such as our Medical Ethics Evening and Ilkley Colloquium all available for you to take part in. We maintain close ties with our alumni and external professionals who often share their insights and expertise at our events.

Leeds University Library is one of the UK’s major academic research libraries, and has extensive holdings to support your studies. You can access a wide range of books, journals and other items online, as well as webinars on academic skills.

Scholarships

The University offers a range of postgraduate funding opportunities to help support you during your time studying with us.

Across our faculty, we also have a number of generous awards and scholarships.

Course details and modules

You’ll study modules designed to give you a solid base of theoretical knowledge and high level research skills.

As you progress through your studies, you’ll apply what you’ve learned in an independent research project on a topic of your choice.

If you choose to study part-time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.

Course Structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Biomedical and Healthcare Ethics MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Biomedical and Healthcare Ethics MA Part Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Biomedical and Healthcare Ethics MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Biomedical and Healthcare Ethics MA Part Time in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Because you study online, you won’t have to take any exams during this course. Instead, most of the time you’ll be assessed using essays and coursework assignments. You’ll receive support from our tutors and be able to discuss your work with them before you submit it. Group projects, presentations and regular contributions to discussion forums may also be used to assess your progress in some modules.

Applying

Entry requirements

You’ll need a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification, preferably in a Philosophy or Healthcare related degree specialising in one of the following subjects indicated under 'Philosophy and Healthcare related subjects'.

We will also consider applicants with relevant experience, an interest in philosophy and healthcare, or coming from an area of expertise to which philosophy and healthcare is complementary such as the ones listed under ‘Other areas’.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines so please do not hesitate to apply if your subject is not listed.

Professional experience may also be considered. If you want to apply for this MA course but don't have a degree, you can begin your studies by completing the PGDip either online or on campus and then apply for the MA.

We look for your willingness and ability to think clearly and independently, as well as good writing skills, a basic understanding of ethics and any relevant experiences of ethical issues in practice.

All applicants will be required to respond to the questions in the supporting statement section of the online application form to explain why you wish to study this particular course and your career plans. Relevant professional experience may also be considered. We may request additional documentation to inform our decision.

Philosophy and Healthcare related subjects

• Philosophy

• Ethics

• Medicine

• Dentistry

• Dental Hygiene Therapy

• Nursing

• Physiotherapy

• Psychology

• Radiography

• Neuroscience

• Biomedical Sciences.

Other Areas

• Anthropology

• Business Management

• Computer Sciences

• English Language

• English Literature

• Engineering

• Healthcare Communications

• Human-Computer Interaction

• Industrial Design

• Innovation Management

• Journalism

• Languages

• Law

• Marketing

• Media

• Media Communications

• Medicine and Health

• Neuroscience

• Product Design

• Psychology

• Politics/Political Science

• Social Media Management

• Sociology.

Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.

You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you intend to apply for funding, we advise you to submit an application for your chosen course as early as possible and at least one month before any scholarship deadline.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you'll need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying (please submit an official English translation where the original is not in English)

• Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)

• A personal statement in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form

• A full up-to-date CV.

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Personal Statement Requirements

Please summarise your reasons for applying to this particular programme of study. Your response can include details of your previous study/work experience relevant to the programme and career ambitions. Your response can provide us with important information on your suitability for the course, so please complete carefully.

Please explain why you have chosen to apply for this Masters course at the University of Leeds by answering the following questions in separate numbered paragraphs:

1. What areas of this course particularly interest you and why? Have you studied these before? Please explain your reasons for applying to this particular Masters course

2. Why do you want to study this course at Leeds? Please comment on aspects such as available resources at the University and in the city, research specialisms within the school or academics you would like to work with.

3. What potential themes have you considered for dissertation research?

4. How will studying for this course help you to achieve your longer term goals?

5. Why do you see this course as a particularly valuable subject to study?

6. What skills and experience do you have that have prepared you for this course? You may like to give details of any final year work/projects you have previously undertaken, relevant work experience etc.

Relevant work experience might include: working in the healthcare field as a healthcare professional; or in other roles or contexts, such as a patient advocate; NHS Manager; working for a health-related charity; pharmaceutical sales; working in local public health. These are just a few of a wide range of possible examples, so do get in touch with us if you are unsure whether your work experience might qualify as relevant to the programme.

Next Steps

Where further information to support the assessment of your application is needed, we may ask for a recent sample of written work.

We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Support for part-time and mature learners

The Lifelong Learning Centre provides support for mature and part-time learners across the University, including advice on how to apply to university and support throughout your studies.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre

Contact us

Admissions Team

Email: admissions@idea.leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £12,000 (Total)

International: £12,000 (Total)

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

We also offer a number of scholarships to help support you while you're studying with us, and will consider flexible fee payment options if you're studying part-time or through online learning.

Find out more about our biomedical and healthcare ethics scholarships.

Career opportunities

A postgraduate qualification in biomedical and healthcare ethics can improve your confidence in handling workplace decisions that have ethical implications. It will also allow you to improve your transferable skills such as research, analysis and oral and written communication.

Many of our graduates continue with their research, whether in academic appointments at universities, PhD studies or as researchers for other organisations such as the King’s Fund. Others have gone into healthcare management, joined research or clinical ethics committees or gone on to teach medical or healthcare ethics at medical schools part-time.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.