King's College London was top of my list for degree choices based on its reputation for teaching excellence and optimal location. However, what has justified my decision many times over is that my time spent as a student at the Centre of Medical Law and Ethics has proved to be one of the most rewarding academic pursuits of my career.
In common with many medics, as a psychiatrist I was looking for a forum to examine ethical and medico-legal aspects of patient care which can often get lost in the pressures of a busy workday. While the MA has provided for my personal interest in mental health, its excellent curriculum is impressively broad in its scope and has never failed to be stimulating. I am sure I was not alone in thinking this given the passionate debate amongst my classmates who come from diverse backgrounds in law, philosophy and health care. However what sets the CMLE aside is the opportunity to be taught by academics who are leaders in their fields and are involved in informing and shaping policy in the UK. Yet, they are also gifted teachers who are always approachable and enthusiastic and never short of a good idea for your assignments.
King's was my first choice for graduate study in terms of its offerings for my field, the quality of the Centre of Medical Law and Ethics (CMLE), and its location. If given the chance to choose again, I would make the same choice with even greater confidence. Not only did King's deliver on my expectations, but I was further impressed by the quality of the community of staff, faculty and my fellow students.
What was clear from the start was that the administrative staff and faculty at the CMLE all genuinely care about their students, and are willing to offer assistance and answer questions with patience, kindness and honesty. Not only are our lecturers lead researchers in their field, they are also excellent teachers, demonstrating that they were as committed to their students as they were to their own research and work outside of the classroom. Moreover, I could not have asked for a better group of fellow students. Our classroom discussions were enriched by their varied professional backgrounds and personal experiences. I found myself constantly humbled and motivated by the fact that it was like learning in a classroom of teachers, not students.
CONTACTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Postgraduate Officer, Centre for Arts & Sciences Admissions (CASA)
tel: +44 (0) 20 7848 2097 / 2711
fax: +44 (0) 20 7848 7200