Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Duration
- 2 years (part-time)
- Entry requirements
-
MA/LLM
You must hold a minimum Upper Second (2.1) class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent, in a relevant subject (eg medicine, law, philosophy, nursing, religious studies).
If you hold a relevant degree but do not reach the entry qualification for the MA/LLM, you may apply for the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip).
If you initially enrolled on the Postgraduate Diploma course, you will be considered for a transfer to the MA/LLM course. A decision as to whether a transfer can take place will be made once marks for all taught components are available. Transfer is dependent upon you reaching master's level in the taught course units.
PGDip
You must hold a minimum Lower Second (2.2) class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent in a relevant subject (eg medicine, law, philosophy, nursing, religious studies).
In exceptional circumstances, candidates who do not have a first degree, but can demonstrate professional competence, may be admitted on the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) course.
There may be an opportunity to upgrade to the MA/LLM in Healthcare Ethics and Law. A decision as to whether transfer can take place will be made once marks for all taught components are available. Transfer is dependent upon you reaching master's level in the taught course units.
PGCert
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) applicants must hold a minimum of a Lower Second (2.2) class honours degree. In exceptional circumstances candidates who do not have first degree, but who can demonstrate professional competence, may be admitted.
- How to apply
-
The deadline for applications for Sep '26 is 7 September 2026.
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA | N | N | N | Y |
| PGDip | N | N | N | Y |
Course overview
- Pursue a flexible and interdisciplinary course which covers both healthcare ethics and law.
- Develop your interest in healthcare ethics and law - both from a UK and a global perspective.
- Flexible, online programme with no requirement to attend classes on campus.
Open days
These are an opportunity to find out about the course, meet students and staff, and tour the campus and facilities.
If you receive an offer, we will invite you to a visit day where you learn about the School, teaching and learning, study opportunities and student life.
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MA (part-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): £7,600 per annum, £15,200 in total
International, including EU, students (per annum): £7,600 per annum, £15,200 in total -
PGDip (part-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): £5,100 per annum, £10,200 in total
International, including EU, students (per annum): £5,100 per annum, £10,200 in total
The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme
The Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.
Manchester Humanities International Excellence Scholarship
The University of Manchester is proud to offer scholarship awards to exceptional international students.
Manchester Master's Bursary
The University of Manchester is committed to widening participation in master's study and allocates 75 awards of £4,000 each year.
For more information on our awards, see fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database .
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Social Sciences
- Contact name
- Manchester Study Online
- studyonline@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/law/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: School Subjects
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
MA/LLM
You must hold a minimum Upper Second (2.1) class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent, in a relevant subject (eg medicine, law, philosophy, nursing, religious studies).
If you hold a relevant degree but do not reach the entry qualification for the MA/LLM, you may apply for the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip).
If you initially enrolled on the Postgraduate Diploma course, you will be considered for a transfer to the MA/LLM course. A decision as to whether a transfer can take place will be made once marks for all taught components are available. Transfer is dependent upon you reaching master's level in the taught course units.
PGDip
You must hold a minimum Lower Second (2.2) class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent in a relevant subject (eg medicine, law, philosophy, nursing, religious studies).
In exceptional circumstances, candidates who do not have a first degree, but can demonstrate professional competence, may be admitted on the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) course.
There may be an opportunity to upgrade to the MA/LLM in Healthcare Ethics and Law. A decision as to whether transfer can take place will be made once marks for all taught components are available. Transfer is dependent upon you reaching master's level in the taught course units.
PGCert
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) applicants must hold a minimum of a Lower Second (2.2) class honours degree. In exceptional circumstances candidates who do not have first degree, but who can demonstrate professional competence, may be admitted.
English language
- IELTS - overall score of 7, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.5, or equivalent. Discover more about English language requirements .
English language test validity
Other international entry requirements
We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country.
Application and selection
How to apply
The deadline for applications for Sep '26 is 7 September 2026.
Advice to applicants
To speed up the application process, please submit the following documents with your online application form:
1. Copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations in addition to your official certificates and transcripts.
2. English language score report (if applicable) or alternative evidence to demonstrate your English language competency.*
*If you are not from or did not graduate from a majority English speaking country , we will also require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application. We may be willing to consider your application without this document, but if we choose to make you an offer, the conditions will include IELTS (or equivalent qualification).
In some cases, we may ask you to provide your full CV or a personal statement. We will let you know if these are required once we have reviewed your application. If we need any additional information or documents, our Admissions team ( worldwideapplications@manchester.ac.uk
) will contact you directly
PGCert applicants : Applicants without a first degree may be accepted onto a PG Certificate course upon demonstrating the following attributes and skills:
Attributes:
- Professional competence in the 'caring' professions or legal or paralegal professions
- Commitment to and interest in the subject area
Skills:
- Academic writing
- Critical analysis
- Broad understanding of the impact of ethical and legal issues in healthcare
In some cases, we may require evidence of the listed skills.
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
The MA in Healthcare Ethics and Law will provide you with expert knowledge and understanding of ethical and medico-legal theories, and the skills needed to apply them to real-world scenarios, in a diverse range of contexts.
You will study a variety of ethical and legal subjects including:
- autonomy;
- consent;
- refusal of treatment;
- confidentiality;
- the moral status of the foetus;
- resource allocation;
- genetic testing;
- HIV testing;
- medical malpractice;
- clinical negligence;
- organ and tissue transplantation;
- fertility treatment;
- genetic manipulation;
- research ethics;
- stem cell research;
- euthanasia.
Aims
- To offer you the opportunity to gain a comprehensive knowledge and firm understanding of healthcare ethics and healthcare law.
- Provide you with the opportunity to gain the skills needed to apply your understanding to real-world scenarios in a diverse range of contexts.
- Help develop the skills needed for research and academic writing.
Special features
Flexible, online course structure with the ongoing support of dedicated tutors to allow students to study alongside work and other commitments.
Teaching and learning
You will be provided with a comprehensive set of course materials at the beginning of each course unit. These interactive, specially designed materials provide an introduction to the issues and skills central to each unit and direct you to other study components such as further reading.
Each unit is supported by a virtual learning environment where you can access all course materials, online reading lists, podcasts, and the University's extensive online library . You are encouraged to use the virtual learning environment to discuss issues raised in the course materials with your course tutor and fellow students. Tutors are also available to provide one to one support by telephone, zoom and email.
You can also attend an optional study day that is held each year, giving you an opportunity to meet with tutors and students on our Manchester campus. You are also welcome to attend the regular research seminars that take place on campus during term time.
Please review the technical requirements to prepare for a successful learning journey with us.
Find the answers to our frequently asked questions about studying online.
Coursework and assessment
All course units are assessed by written coursework.
MA/LLM students must also submit a supervised 10,000 to 12,000-word dissertation by independent research (60 credits). As a part-time student, you will undertake a dissertation in the summer months of Year 2. If you do not achieve success in the MA/LLM, you may be considered for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits). The award of the MA/LLM is classified according to pass, merit or distinction.
Course unit details
You will be required to complete 180 credits: 120 credits comprised of taught course units (each of 15 or 30 credits value) and the independent research element (dissertation) worth 60 credits. On the distance learning course, you complete 60 credits of taught course units in the first year and 60 credits in the second year, together with a dissertation of between 10-12,000 words, which is undertaken over the summer months in Year 2.
The core course units are:
- Philosophical Bioethics (30 credits)
- Medico-Legal Problems (30 credits)
- International Issues in Healthcare Ethics and Law (30 credits)
You must choose optional course units to a total value of 30 credits from the following list:
Law-based : Medicine, Law and Society (15 credits); Mental Health Law and Policy (15 credits)
Ethics-based : Research Ethics (15 credits); Ethics Genetics and Genomics (15 credits)
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation by Independent Research | CSEP60083 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Philosophical Bioethics (Distance-Learning) | CSEP60103 | 30 | Mandatory |
| Medico-Legal Problems (Distance Learning) | CSEP60113 | 30 | Mandatory |
| International Issues in Health Care Law and Ethics (Distance Learning) | CSEP60293 | 30 | Mandatory |
| Research Ethics | CSEP60033 | 15 | Optional |
| Ethics, Genetics and Genomics | CSEP60043 | 15 | Optional |
| Mental Health Law and Policy | CSEP60243 | 15 | Optional |
| Medicine, Law & Society | CSEP60253 | 15 | Optional |
Additional fee information
Fees for Sep 26 are:
MA/LLM: £15,200
PGDip: £10,200
PGCert: £5,000
The advertised fee covers your tuition. It does not cover any other expenses that you may incur when attending face-to-face conferences/workshops/masterclasses/field trips.
Alumni discounts:
The University of Manchester provides alumni discounts for further study:
- Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount (10%): If you completed your undergraduate studies at The University of Manchester or Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met), or you’re currently in your final year at either institution, you may be eligible.
In some cases, this discount can be combined with other course-specific discounts. Please check the eligibility criteria onour Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount page .
- Alumni Discount for Online Courses (up to 15%): If you have successfully completed a credit-bearing qualification at The University of Manchester or UMIST, you may be eligible for an alumni discount of up to 15% on tuition fees for online courses. This discount cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
Additionaldiscounts:
- Application discount (10%): Apply on or before 30 June 2026 to receive 10% reduction on your tuition fee. To be eligible, you will need to submit your application on or before 30 June 2026 and if offered a place, you will need to accept your offer within two weeks from the date of the offer.
- NHS employee discount (10%): To receive an NHS discount on your tuition fees you must fit our eligibility criteria and provide evidence to support your discount claim. To process your discount claim, our admissions team must receive a letter from your employer, detailing your employment and contract type. This letter must be sent from a workplace email on official headed paper to verify your employment status. To qualify for the discount you must be employed at the start of the course and evidence must be provided before a discount is granted.
Please note: The Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount can be combined with one of the above discounts, potentially saving you up to 20% on your tuition fees.
Discounts and scholarships policy
Discounts and scholarships are not cumulative. If you qualify for more than one, you will be awarded the one that is the highest amount.
Explore more funding options
Visit our funding pages to learn about financial support for online students, including available funding opportunities, payment plans, and answers to common questions.
Scholarships and bursaries
Find information on master's tuition fees and studying costs, as well as funding and scholarships available to help you plan your finances.
One-discount policy: Discounts and scholarships are not accumulative. If you qualify for more than one, you will be awarded the one that is the highest amount.
Manchester Master's Bursary (UK)
We're committed to helping students access further education.
Explore more funding options
Visit our funding pages to learn about financial support for online students, including available funding opportunities, payment plans, and answers to common questions.
What our students say
Facilities
At The University of Manchester Law School, you are supported by the first-class resources you would expect of a top law school. In addition to the networked study spaces at the Williamson Building, you can access The University of Manchester Library, which houses a substantial collection of law books and periodicals, as well as texts to support all the degrees we offer.
As a distance-learner you will have full access to the virtual learning environment where you can access all course materials, online reading lists, podcasts, and the University's online library, as well as communicate with your classmates and tutors.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
You will be able to progress within a wide variety of roles in medical, legal and ethical fields.
Previous graduates have gone on to specialise in medico-legal practice and academic careers, and the degrees have enhanced the careers of healthcare professionals.
The University also has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .