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Bioethics & Society MSc

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Advances in biomedicine, neuroscience, and public health raise some of the most difficult ethical and societal questions today. The Bioethics & Society course allows you to study these questions drawing on concepts, theories, and methods from philosophy and the social sciences. This will enable you to understand how bioethics influences the world, and how you can make an impact in the world.

Scholarships:

All applicants who apply before 31 March to one of our full time Master's courses are eligible for a £9,900 scholarship opportunity.  In addition we have a scholarship available for students in their final year of certain relevant undergraduate courses within the School of Global Affairs.  Our scholarships and bursaries are open to UK, EU and Overseas students.

View more details.

 


Key benefits

  • The only UK course based in a social science department.
  • Taught at King’s College London, one of the top-25 schools in the world (QS World University Rankings 2016).
  • Taught in the heart of London, at King’s College Strand Campus.
  • Offers a thoroughly interdisciplinary approach to bioethics that draws from key concepts, theories, methods and findings from philosophy and the social sciences.
  • Lectures and seminars are given by internationally recognized faculty who consult for the World Health Organization, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, and the U.K. Parliament Office of Science & Technology, among others.
  • Collaborates with other departments at King’s to serve students’ individual needs and interests and create exciting career streams of optional modules.
  • Offers a rigorous methods training in qualitative and quantitative research methods and critical policy research.
  • Provides skilled supervision to develop competence in executing a small-scale independent dissertation research project.
  • Offers a rich programme of guest lectures and seminars, including the KCL / UCL Joint Bioethics Colloquium, and the GHSM Seminar Series.
  • Offers individualised career support to build a strong CV, helping students to identify opportunities to present their work, do internships, and secure funding.
  • Collaborates closely with King’s College Careers & Employability Office to enhance the employability of our students with targeted sessions.

Key information

Application status Open

Duration One year FT, two years PT, September to September.

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Credit value 180 - 200

Course intake Contact for details: Dr Silvia Camporesi and Dr Gry Wester

Course leaders Dr Silvia Camporesi & Dr Gry Wester 

Further details

Course contact for further information

Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office
tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2979
fax: +44 (0)20 7848 7200

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/enquiry-form.aspx

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy

Department Department of Global Health & Social Medicine

Locations

 

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Bioethics & Society MSc

In the heart of London

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Course detail

Description

The course is taught in the heart of London, with immediate access to King’s hospitals and laboratories, and close to government, health policy think-tanks, patient advocacy groups, medical and scientific societies, and the private health sector. We offer a unique ‘real-world’ approach to bioethics, allowing students to understand the social and political contexts in which bioethical controversies arise and proposed solutions are developed. In the course of their studies, students are equipped with essential knowledge and skills to make a contribution to resolving bioethical problems. In addition, internship opportunities enable students to gather practical insights and to build professional networks.

Course format and assessment

Teaching

The following table will give you an idea of what a typical academic workload might look like as you progress through your studies:

 
 Year or moduleLectures, seminars and feedback  Self-study (hours)
 Per 15-credit module  15 hours (usually 1.5 hours of lectures/ seminars per week over a 10 week term)  135
 Dissertation module  6 half-hour supervisory sessions and 8 x 2 hour workshops  581

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

The department assesses students on a combination of essays, written examinations, oral presentations and the dissertation. The nature of assessment varies by module.

Regulating Body 

King's College London is regulated by the Office for Students.

Extra information

For more information contact the Admissions' Tutors, Dr Silvia Camporesi: silvia.camporesi@kcl.ac.uk or Dr Gry Wester:  gry.wester@kcl.ac.uk


Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules, and students on this course take modules totalling 180-200 credits.

King's College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant courses of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

You may opt to take an additional Internship module which will increase your total credits to 200 for the degree.

Required Modules

You are required to take the following modules:

You are also required to take one of the following modules:

Optional Modules
In addition, you are required to take 45-75 credits from a range of optional modules. It is strongly suggested you take at least one 15 credit ethics module. Optional modules may typically include:

Part-time students will be expected to take Critical Bioethics, one research methods module and one optional module in year 1, with the remaining required and optional modules taken in year 2. Part time students attend the dissertation workshops and submit a dissertation proposal in Year 1 with the dissertation being submitted at the end of Year 2. 

Entry requirements & how to apply

Bioethics & Society Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements   2:1

A relevant UK honours degree of 2:1 standard. If an applicant possesses an undergraduate degree below 2:1 standard, subsequent postgraduate qualifications may be taken into account. Also desirable is evidence of active engagement in relevant activities and an attentive concern for the pressing ethical questions in contemporary medicine, bioscience and health policy, demonstrated by reading and otherwise following current national and international issues.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. 

We may consider candidates with a lower second class degree or with professional qualifications from a recognised institution if they can show relevant work experience and/or relevant professional qualifications, can demonstrate that they are highly motivated and have referees from their university or employment strongly supporting their admission onto a masters level programme.
International requirements    Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements  Band B  Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements. 

 

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £70 applies.

Your application will be assessed by the Admissions Tutor.

You will need to write a personal statement, upload two letters of reference, and your original transcripts. In your personal statement you should explain why you are interested in the MSc in Bioethics & Society and could include, for example, details of your motivation and your relevant knowledge, experience or skills. We look for candidates who demonstrate a strong interest in the programme and are committed to advanced interdisciplinary study at postgraduate level.

We aim to process all complete applications within four weeks; during February and March and over holiday periods, applications may take longer to process.

 

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Personal Statement  Yes

A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). You should explain why you are interested in the MSc in Bioethics & Society and could include, for example, details of your motivation and your relevant knowledge, experience or skills. We look for candidates who demonstrate a strong interest in the programme and are committed to advanced interdisciplinary study at postgraduate level.
Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
 Other Optional Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application

 

Application closing date

 

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 31 March 2020. After this date, applications will remain open if places are available, but programmes will be closed as soon as they are full. For programmes with spaces remaining, no further applications will be accepted from non-EU (Overseas) nationals after 31July 2020 or from UK/EU nationals after 28 August 2020.

 

Please note you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline and places are filled before the final deadlines above and we are unable to process more offers.

 

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Full time Home/EU fees: £9,990 per year (2020/21)
  • Full time overseas fees: £22,350 per year (2020/21)
  • Part time Home/EU fees: £4,995 per year (2020/21)
  • Part time overseas fees: £11,175 per year (2020/21)

Students starting their programme in 2020/21 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2021/22.

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer before 1 June 2020, payment is due by 30 June 2020.

  • If you receive an offer between 1 June 2020 and 30 June 2020, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer between 1 July 2020 and 31 July 2020, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer on or after 1 August 2020, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer in late August, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Graduates from this course have gone onto the following destinations:
  • Government (e.g. Department of Health, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Health Research Authority, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology)
  • Policy consultation (e.g. Nuffield Council on Bioethics, King’s Fund, UK Biobank Ethics & Governance Council)
  • National and international NGOs (e.g. disease charities such as Cancer Research UK or British Lung Foundation, Council on Health Research and Development, Gates Foundation)
  • International Organizations (e.g. World Health Organisation, UNESCO)
  • Teaching (e.g. through Teach First)
  • Hospital or research administration (e.g. research ethics office at universities)
  • Leadership positions in health care (for trained professionals)
  • Academic work in bioethics or sociology (e.g. our PhD program in Social Science, Health & Medicine)

Career destinations

Students who complete the Bioethics & Society course to a high standard are expected to have numerous career paths open to them. For example, in government, national and international NGOs concerned with medicine and health, as ethics consultants in hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, and in think-tanks. Students can also continue on to a PhD in bioethics or social sciences. The programme also enhances existing careers in clinical practice, biomedical research, public health, or health policy. We collaborate closely with the Careers & Employability Office at King's College London to enhance the employability of our students, and we organise targeted Careers sessions with guest-speakers from relevant fields.

Read more about what our students do after they graduate here.

 

Testimonials

Aimee

Aimee

"Aimee holds a Bachelor of Arts and Humanities Honours in Theology. She decided to undertake a Masters in Bioethics & Society because she is passionate about discussing the ethical questions surrounding society and medicine. Aimee hopes to continue with a PhD in the field."

Alex

Alex

Alex received her undergraduate degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology from Doane College. She went on to get her Master of Science in Medical Genetics. After working in the Wisconsin public health system, she spent 6 years in California as a clinical cancer genetic counselor.

Andrea

Andrea

Andrea is excited for the opportunity to develop her understanding of healthcare from the intersection of science, philosophy, and theology. After this programme, she intends to pursue a vocation as a physician where she can promote health and well-being.

Andrew

Andrew

Andrew previously studied at the University of Massachusetts where he received his B.Sc. in Biology and Philosophy. His focuses in biology have been mostly evolution, behaviour, physiology, and histology. His philosophical training has been geared toward metaphysics and meta-ethics. 

James

James

After exploring the multiple interfaces between the humanities and medicine through side projects for two years, James decided to dedicate this year to studying the humanities as applied to medicine. One of his chief interests is studying the role of the humanities in medical education. 

Louisa

Louisa

As a current medical student, I have tremendously benefited from my bioethics degree, as it has allowed me to approach medicine holistically. The Bioethics & Society MSc provided an incredible foundation for me to better understand, evaluate, and propose solutions for ethical dilemmas facing healthcare today. I now feel more confident in addressing the concerns of patients and better equipped to approach difficult situations with an open mind.

James

James

The Bioethics & Society MSc provided an enriching component to my education as a physician. In the course, we discussed foundational questions such as “What is health?”, “What is disease?”, and “What is morality?”. The programme gave me a critical lens through which to view the institutions, policies, and practice of medicine.

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