PhD Bioethics and Medical Jurisprudence: The University of Manchester

Course description

National, regional, and local governments, organisations, and authorities are beginning to realise that they need highly trained people in healthcare ethics and law. This means that it is now a good time to aim for the highest academic qualifications in the field.

Traditional graduate studies for a research degree do not offer the ethical and legal knowledge or the comprehensive methodological training needed for cutting-edge research into bioethics and medical jurisprudence. A more structured approach is called for.

This programme is designed to provide a solid skills basis for independent research, and to guide participants steadily towards the completion of a structured doctoral thesis, which is based on publishable journal articles and book chapters.

The programme itself is unique in its combination of taught elements, which are designed to ensure a genuine sense of community among the participants, and friendly but relentless supervision by world-class scholars in the field.

The topics and themes which are covered during the taught period and which are suitable for the students' postgraduate research include classical and contemporary issues like abortion, euthanasia, resource allocation in health care, public health activities, life-style regulation, assisted reproduction, gene therapy, genetic testing, human enhancements, cloning, stem cell research, the doctor-patient relationship, professional responsibility, and the legal and ethical status of living, dead, and unborn bodies; as well as central principles and doctrines like autonomy, rights, sanctity of life, justice, utility, self-determination, dignity, solidarity, precaution, self-governance, and the role of society and community in medicine and health care.  All of these are approached in a uniquely analytical and structured way, combining the methodological strengths of medical law and philosophical ethics.

This programme is offered by  The Centre for Social Ethics & Policy in The School of Law - one of the leading bioethics and medical jurisprudence institutes in the world, with two decades of experience in campus-based and distance-learning MA programmes, and a lively and productive research environment.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

A good (UK first class or upper second class honours) bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline;

AND

EITHER a master's degree in ethics, law, or a cognate discipline, at Merit level or the overseas equivalent

OR a suitable period (normally at least three years) of validated professional experience in a relevant field;

AND

1. a sample of written work demonstrating ability in the area of philosophical bioethics or medical law [2,000 - 5,000 words],
2. two academic references,
3. official transcripts and certificates from your previous degree programmes,
4. a 500-2,000 word provisional research proposal indicating the area you are interested in pursuing,
5. and, for candidates for whom English is not their first language, a demonstrated proficiency in English, evidenced by an International Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7 or equivalent, with a minimum writing score of 7, or TOEFL 625 paper-based with a score of 5 in the test for written English, or TOEFL 106 internet-based, or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English Grade C.  The certification must have been awarded in the two years prior to entry.

English language:

Students whose first language is not English are required to hold IELTS 7.0 with a minimum writing score of 7, or TOEFL 625 paper-based with a score of 5 in the test for written English, or TOEFL 106 internet-based, or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English Grade C.  The certification must have been awarded within two years prior to entry.