With an increasingly mobile population across the world, healthcare professionals, more than ever, need to manage a broader range of health care problems. This course has been designed to address these challenges and will provide you with a greater understanding of the complexities of socio-cultural factors across different countries, enabling you to develop your skills in complex decision making and ethical reasoning.
This MSc Programme will provide the opportunity to explore and understand ethical challenges of healthcare delivery in a global context.
Its unique design focuses on bioethical issues as they appear in practice and goes beyond it by exploring how different cultures and healthcare systems tackle these problems. At the same time, the programme provides a greater understanding of socio-cultural and economic aspects of healthcare at a global level.
‘Global Healthcare Ethics’ has a very personalised/flexible design with a core of applied clinical ethics and additional options. In order to accommodate different professional and personal needs, the programme has a flexible blended learning structure that gives students the opportunity to engage with ethicists and health professionals and to share their experiences and ethical dilemmas.
This programme is unique in that it will apply ethical principles to everyday practice and will explore the moral problems encountered by health care professionals across a range of clinical scenarios, e.g.: reproductive technology, genetics, mental health, children in research, health records and ethics of patient’s data, and end of life care. Another unique point is its delivery in an international environment where students from across the world share their experiences and best practice.
Students will refer to examples connected with clinical practice (from their area of work both in the UK and overseas): ethical dilemmas in connection with patient expectations, difficult clinical decisions, the ethics of new biomedical technology, communication technology and e-health etc.
This programme will be taught by a wide range of clinicians and research experts across health and key clinical research programmes within the University of Liverpool and the wider hospital communities.
Several of our modules are also available as individual Continued Professional Development (CPD) courses, for the improvement of your knowledge and skills within your career.
This MSc Programme is designed primarily for healthcare and allied healthcare professionals but welcomes intercalating medical and dentistry students and other home and international students with interests in global healthcare issues, including those from relevant humanities subjects.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Designed as a flexible programme, with a core of Applied Clinical ethics, you will also be able to choose from a range of other options. And the research methods module(s) will allow you to understand how ethics is embedded into research design and practice.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| APPLIED ETHICS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE I (MDSC400) | 30 |
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| GLOBAL BIOETHICS (MDSC404) | 30 |
| GLOBAL HEALTHCARE ETHICS PLACEMENT/WORKPLACE OBSERVERSHIP (MDSC405) | 15 |
| ETHICS IN TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE (MDSC411) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
For the MSc programme, the final step is the dissertation in form of a research project (MDSC406, 60 credits), where the final authentic assessment will be a preliminary report based on a project plan, written work in a form of a journal article, and a poster presentation (designed to be presented at a specialist conference).
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| RESEARCH PROJECT (MDSC406) | 60 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
The blended learning delivery involves a mixture of on campus lectures, tutorial and workshops and online available resources. The student activities will accommodate the students’ working patterns and the international make-up of the cohorts.
Teaching activity involves a mixture of scheduled directed student hours, unscheduled directed student hours and self-directed learning. The majority of modules (MDSC400, MDSC401, MDSC404) are organised in blocks (usually three per module, about 20 hours in total per 30-credit module) of teaching that will take place on campus. Depending on students’ needs, one-to-one tutorials are organised weekly, in addition to the online discussion boards.
The unscheduled directed learning activity is related to the reading of key papers/guidelines which support the lectures. Students are expected to spend about 120 hours per 30-credit module on self-directed, independent learning. This should include reading around the subjects covered in the online lectures, contributions to the discussion boards, planning of their essays and research topics, and the enhancement of their skills in critical reading, critical thinking, online communication and evidence based clinical reasoning/decision making.
To ensure that assessment supports the programme aims and the developing of skills at Level 7, a range of assessment methods are used with the purpose of enhancing the students’ learning experience, ensuring authenticity and increasing inclusivity.
To meet the educational aims of the programme, the assessment strategy uses a range of assessment methods to cover the learning objectives. All assessment tasks involve elements of critical commentary, appraisal, clinical reasoning, reflection and/or critical evaluation of the relevant clinical-based decision making.
The assessment methods include:
The majority of assessment tasks are centred on clinical scenarios focusing on the ethical assessment and decision-making. These link the assignments to the ethical theories that underpins the everyday clinical practice and decision making. Other assessment tasks are related to the review of practice in the students’ own workplace, based within the context of national guidelines and protocols, to challenge their current ethical understanding and knowledge of professional practice.
A key component of the Assessment for Learning approach is student engagement with the discussion board, allowing students to explore concepts, and clarify understanding and application of the theory in their own practice. Engagement with other students enables learning between students and the understanding of a wider range of challenges and strategies.
Personalised feedback, covering content and academic skills, is provided on every assessment, including assessments for learning. Students requiring extra support can discuss their learning needs with the module leader who can then direct them to additional resources.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
You can study some of the modules on this course as standalone CPD (Continuing Professional Development) modules. Contact us using the buttons at the bottom of the course page to find out more.
Intercalation allows you take a break from your medical degree, usually after year 3 or 4, and study an additional qualification. Most intercalating students choose to study a master's degree. This gives you the opportunity to explore a subject of interest at an advanced level and acquire new skills and knowledge that will enhance and/or complement your medical degree.
This course has a flexible structure and has a blended approach to delivery with teaching being delivered on campus and online. Teaching is provided by the School of Medicine by a mixed team of clinicians, ethicists, representatives of medical institutions (e.g. GMC) and university lecturers providing an experiential, peer group and active learning environment.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
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The programme will enhance the career opportunities for health professionals, not only by providing them with excellent ethical skills, but also supporting them to take key positions within health organisations as ethics advisers, coordinating ethics committees and supervising the quality of research design and implementation.
With global healthcare ethics recognised as a priority by WHO, the programme will prepare you for an international career in healthcare.
It will also help with your academic progression and prepare you for working within academia, by offering an excellent basis for a future PhD in bioethics or connected areas.
If you are a healthcare professional from abroad this MSc will enhance your chances to get professional recognition in the UK, by familiarising you with the GMC ethics requirements and professionalism.
This master’s degree offers the opportunity to work in ethics and policy-related jobs, nationally and internationally. For example:
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £11,700
Part-time place, per year - £3,900
Full-time place, per year - £26,600
Part-time place, per year - £8,867
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a University of Liverpool graduate starting this master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive a loyalty discount of up to £2,500 off your master’s tuition fees.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
The MSc Global Healthcare Ethics programme is available to any University graduate in a health or health-related profession, as well as non-health-related graduates and others approved by the University, e.g. philosophy and sociology graduates.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the University of Liverpool. Entry qualifications:
|
| International qualifications |
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MSc, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 21, reading 21, writing 21 and speaking 23. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 135 overall, with writing not less than 140, speaking and reading not less than 125, and listening not below 120. For academic year 2025/26 only, we will also accept the production, literacy, comprehension and conversation score set: 130 overall, with no component below 120. |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 69 overall, with no component below 61 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 75 overall, with no skill below 70 |
| PSI Skills for English | C1 Pass in all bands |
| INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
| WAEC | C6 or above |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.5 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5, for further details.
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Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
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Last updated 29 April 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions