Medical Ethics and Law

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.

We are in the process of refreshing our curriculum for the 2025/26 academic year to reflect best practices and the latest advancements in academia. New course content and modules will be available on this course page in due course.

Month of entry

October

Mode of study

Full time, Part time

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area

Ethics, Law

Fees for 2025/26 academic year

UK - Full time: £10,100 per year
UK - Part time: Year 1: £7,100, Year 2: £3,100
International - Full time: £17,700 per year

Duration of study

Full time - 1 year, Part time - 2 years, Modular - Up to 5 years

Apply now

Why study Medical Ethics and Law at Keele University?

A pioneer in medical ethics and law education, Keele’s programme is one of the longest-running in the UK, delivered continuously since 1987.

Block teaching delivery (typically three days per module) allows you to combine part-time study with full-time work – ideal for healthcare professionals.

Enjoy rich ethical debates, share experiences, and learn about different practices and perspectives with a diverse student cohort.

Taught by staff with expertise in both law and philosophy, and with experience in delivering courses for professionals.

This programme is available to intercalating medical students.

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:

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"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."

Dr David Wright, MA Medical Ethics and Law graduate

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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 four taught modules (three core, one optional) 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.

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. You will consider the legal and ethical implications for a broad range of issues in healthcare and medicine: interventions at birth and end-of-life, as well as modifications to the human body. Additional indicative topics include advance decisions, terminal sedation, suicide and mental health, court-ordered caesarean section, gender dysphoria, disability and transgender persons.

Healthcare, Justice and Society (30 credits, Semester 2)

The ethical and legal implications for 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 legal obligations in healthcare, including international law and the criminal regulation of medicine. You will consider the moral issues that can arise, for example, in allocating healthcare resources without discrimination for children, young people and adults, not just in hospital settings, but also across secure and detained settings, such as prisons and immigration removal centres. Course content is responsive to contemporary issues, but additional topics may include biomedical research, bio-banking, stem cell policy, conscientious objection in healthcare, psychopathy, criminal transmission of HIV, vaccination policy, pandemic management, and infanticide.

Medical Ethics and Law Dissertation (60 credits, studied throughout the course)

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.

Next steps

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"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."

Thanh, MA Medical Ethics and Law

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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.

Typical offer: 2:2 degree in a health, psychology, sociology, humanities or social sciences subject Additional criteria apply

Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

UK

2:2 degree in a health, psychology, sociology, 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, psychology, sociology, 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, 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, psychology, sociology, 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, psychology, sociology, humanities or social sciences subject or 65% in a degree in a health, psychology, sociology, 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, psychology, sociology, 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, psychology, sociology, 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, psychology, sociology, humanities or social sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Nepal

60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in a health, psychology, sociology, humanities, or social sciences subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in a health, psychology, sociology, humanities, or social sciences subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Nigeria

Second class degree in a health, psychology, sociology, 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

Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in a health, psychology, sociology, humanities, or social sciences subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in a health, psychology, sociology, humanities, or social sciences subject
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, psychology, sociology, 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, psychology, sociology, 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, psychology, sociology, 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.

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Your career

This exciting, interdisciplinary course allows you to pursue your ethical and legal interests – for personal or professional reasons – exploring the ethical dilemmas facing healthcare professionals and administrators on a daily basis and delving beyond the ‘soundbite’ rhetoric of media headlines.

In addition to the specialist knowledge you’ll gain, you’ll develop a range of essential transferable skills in analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and communications. This can broaden your career options in a wide variety of roles in medical, legal and ethical fields, ranging from clinical or medical practice to policy-making, teaching or research.

For those working in healthcare or related fields, it can build your confidence in handling workplace decisions that have ethical implications, enhancing your knowledge, skills and practice in developing and delivering end-of-life care strategies. It will be especially beneficial if you are, for example, seeking to obtain a position on an ethics committee or direct your career towards strategy development, risk management, research or work in medical defence.

Many of our working students study this course out of interest and with a desire to gain specialist knowledge and skills to help them progress within their existing careers. For example, previous students have included junior doctors seeking to become consultants, or bioscience graduates keen to demonstrate their commitment and engagement in pursuit of a medical career, or lawyers seeking to expand their practice in a specific area.

The specialist research skills you learn also provide a strong foundation for pursuing further study at doctoral level for those interested in doing so.

Positions may include:

Academic
Barrister
Chaplain
Consultant
Doctor
Hospice director
Newspaper journalist
Nurse
Philosopher
Policy officer
Social worker
Solicitor
Teacher

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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 provide pastoral and academic support. You also have the option of 1:1 appointments with learning development advisors.

Teaching schedule

The 2024 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 the taught elements, you will be able to consult with supervisors and will have access to the University’s learning and teaching facilities, and support services.

Induction day

Tuesday 30 September 2025.

Core modules

Moral Theory and Medical Ethics: Tuesday 30 September - Friday 3 October 2025
Principles of Medical Law: Wednesday 26 - Friday 28 November 2025
Life, Death and the Human Body: Wednesday 28 - Friday 30 January 2026
Dissertation: Monday 13 October 2025 and Tuesday 24 March 2026
Healthcare, Justice and Society: Wednesday 25 - Friday 27 March 2026

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.

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Keele Postgraduate Association

Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

KPA interior

Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

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Our expertise

Teaching staff

For 35 years, Keele School of Law has been at the forefront of medical ethics and law education, having first delivered the MA in Medical Ethics and Law back in 1987, followed shortly by the MA Medical Ethics and Palliative Care. You’ll be taught by staff with a broad range of expertise in the distinct disciplines of philosophy and law.

Teaching team includes:

Dr Kevin De Sabbata, Lecturer in Law with research interests in healthcare law and ethics, mental health law, global health law, and disability rights.

Dr Jonathan Hughes, Senior Lecturer in Ethics – a philosopher with research interests in the ethics relating to conscientious objection in healthcare, autism and neurodiversity, resource allocation, risk and the precautionary principle, end of life issues.

Dr Abigail Pearson, Lecturer in Law with research interests in disability, equality, human rights and legal education.

Dr Laura Pritchard-Jones, Senior Lecturer in Law with research interests in mental disability law, adult safeguarding, and the legal framework around social care provision for adults.

Dr Sotirios Santatzoglou, Lecturer in Law with interests in medical negligence and end-of-life criminal law.

Professor Anthony Wrigley, Professor of Ethics – a philosopher whose research focuses on ethical and policy issues, including new genetic and reproductive technologies, consent for those who have lost capacity, and end-of-life care.

Dr Dunja Begović, Lecturer in Medical Law and Ethics - Research interests include ethico-legal aspects of reproduction and the end of life.

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