Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Duration
- 2 years (part-time)
- Entry requirements
-
You must hold a minimum Upper Second 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 LLM, you may apply for the Postgraduate Diploma (see details of entry requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma).
If you initially enrolled on the Postgraduate Diploma course, you will be considered for a transfer to the LLM. 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 units.
- How to apply
- Apply online
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLM | N | N | N | Y |
Course overview
- Pursue a flexible and interdisciplinary course which covers both healthcare ethics and law, with a focus on the latter.
- Develop your interest in healthcare ethics and law - from both a UK and a global perspective.
- Flexible, online course 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.
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).
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Social Sciences
- Contact name
- Postgraduate Taught Admissions Team
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 306 1270
- healthcare-ethics@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
You must hold a minimum Upper Second 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 LLM, you may apply for the Postgraduate Diploma (see details of entry requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma).
If you initially enrolled on the Postgraduate Diploma course, you will be considered for a transfer to the LLM. 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 units.
English language
- IELTS - overall score of 7, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.5;
- TOEFL IBT 103 with 28 in writing and no further score below 25 in each section. TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757.
- Pearson - overall 73 with 73 in writing and no further score below 66
- Other English tests are also considered. Please contact us for further information - pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk
Scores are valid for 2 years.
Please note that CAS statements are issued only when all conditions of the offer have been satisfied, PDF copy of passport received and the offer accepted.
Applicants from certain countries may be exempt from having to provide an IELTS or TOEFL score. For further advice please email pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk
Pre-Sessional English Courses
If you are eligible to do a pre-sessional English course (either 6 weeks or 10 weeks, depending on your English score), you will need to successfully complete the course at the required level before you are permitted to register on your academic course.
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
Advice to applicants
We require the following documents before we can consider your application:
- Transcripts of your studies in English.
- Degree certificate (if you have already graduated).
- 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. 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).
- You are not required to submit references as part of your application. However, you must put the names and contact details of two academic referees on your application form and if we require the references we will contact them directly.
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
You will study a wide 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.
As well as studying these topics from a UK perspective, many are also considered from a global perspective.
All students studying at master's level in Healthcare Ethics and Law, will study the three core subjects of: Philosophical Bioethics, Medico-Legal Problems and International Issues in Healthcare.
LLM students will then study two law-based options and complete a predominantly law-based dissertation.
Aims
- 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.
- Develop the skills needed for research and academic writing.
Special features
Flexible, interdisciplinary structure to enable you to enrol on the course while in full-time employment.
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 able to provide one-to-one support by telephone, Zoom and email.
Coursework and assessment
Assessment of all taught course units (to a total of 120 credits) is assessed by coursework essays of 4,000 words per 15 credit course unit and up to 6,000 words for the three 30 credit core course units.
You must also submit a supervised 10-12,000 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 LLM, you may be considered for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma. The award of the 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 worth 15 or 30 credits); and
- an independent research element (dissertation) worth 60 credits.
On the distance learning course, you complete 60 credits of taught course units in Year 1, and 60 credits in Year 2, together with a dissertation of between 10-12,000 words, which is undertaken in the summer months in Year 2. The dissertation should be predominantly law-based.
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 below list. LLM students must choose both the law-based course units:
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 |
| Mental Health Law and Policy | CSEP60243 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Medicine, Law & Society | CSEP60253 | 15 | Mandatory |
| International Issues in Health Care Law and Ethics (Distance Learning) | CSEP60293 | 30 | Mandatory |
Scholarships and bursaries
The School is offering a number of awards for students applying for master's study.
To find out more please visit our master's funding opportunity search page .
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 variety of roles in medical, legal and ethical fields.
Graduates from previous years 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 .