Medical Ethics and Law Keele University

Overview

This Medical Ethics and Law programme from Keele University 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.

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.

Career opportunities:

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.

• Academic
• Barrister
• Chaplain
• Consultant
• Doctor
• Hospice director
• Newspaper journalist
• Nurse