2025/26 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue

PGDip Biomedical and Health Care Ethics Part-time (Online)(For students entering from September 2025 onwards)

Programme overview

Programme code
PGDB&HCE-P-R
UCAS code
Duration
18 Months
Method of Attendance
Part Time
Programme manager
Dr Sarah Carter-Walshaw
Total credits
120
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
Philosophy, Religion and History of Science
Examination board through which the programme will be considered
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups
Philosophy

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme from September 2025. For students who entered the programme before September 2025, you can find the details of your programme: PGDip Biomedical and Health Care Ethics Part-time (Online)

The nature of the fields of health care and medicine are such that their day-to-day operations necessarily raise a myriad of ethical questions and issues and, as science progresses, new ethical challenges emerge. Through studying this programme, you will be better able to engage thoughtfully in debates around these questions which is a benefit to you but also to wider societal and professional deliberation and understanding.

In this programme, through the study and application of relevant theories and principles, you will gain a critical understanding of ethical issues in the context of medicine and health care, such as, for example, those at the beginning and end of patient lives, health inequalities and just resource allocation, professional issues relating to trust, confidentiality, consent and respect for autonomy, and you’ll apply your theoretical understanding to realistic scenarios in the practice of medicine and healthcare.

All taught modules are delivered through in-person seminars that explore such issues with reference to the latest in academic research. This supports you to develop the tools to analyse, challenge, or defend different arguments and accounts, including your own.

The course equips students with many transferrable skills. You will learn how to engage with multiple perspectives, to interpret viewpoints charitably, to communicate your ideas clearly, and to form strong arguments for your views and decisions. You will develop your independent research skills, and you will be able to apply specialist knowledge in new contexts.

Our diverse community includes people from a variety of backgrounds and professions, with many opportunities to network and connect during your time studying with us, including various events and activities we run as an active and thriving applied ethics research centre.

Year 1

Part-time (Online)(For students entering from September 2025 onwards)

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Candidates are required to study 90 credits in year 1. They must pass all pass for progression modules to progress to the next year of study.

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
IDEA5210MIntroduction to Ethics: Reasons, Motivation, Obligations and Happiness151 Sep to 30 Nov (15mth)
IDEA5322MEthical Issues at the Beginning of Life (Online)151 Nov to 31 Jan
IDEA5333MEthical Issues at the End of Life (Online)151 Jan to 28 Feb
IDEA5344MConscience, Codes and Professional Issues (Online)151 Feb to 30 Apr
IDEA5355MAutonomy, Rationality, and Psychiatric Issues (Online)151 May to 31 July
IDEA5366MDistributive Justice and Scarce Medical Resources (Online)151 May to 31 July

Year 2

Part-time (Online)(For students entering from September 2025 onwards)

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Candidates are required to study 30 credits in year 2. They must pass all pass for progression modules to be eligible for an MA award.

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory module:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
IDEA5377MCurrent Developments in Health Care Ethics (Online)30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Last updated: 05/02/2025 15:48:32

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