phd medical ethics online

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Online PhD in Bioethics (Clinical and Global Health Bioethics)

Quick access, program type, school / institute.

Online (Asynchonous)

USD 169 per credit hour

Scholarships

Full (officials of PS); 15% off (ECOWAS and IGOs)

EUCLID, an intergovernmental  treaty-based institution with a university mandate, offers to select students from the general public an online PhD in bioethics which covers both clinical and global health bioethical issues.

It is, to date, the only PhD program in this field offered by an international intergovernmental organization. Its purpose is to prepare highly qualified public health professionals able to serve in civil service,  international organizations , health care institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations globally.

Academic Presentation

Bioethics is a discipline still lacking true international and interdisciplinary experts. Few programs are truly international in scope so as to fully prepare graduates for global civil service careers that will engage a wide variety of clinical and public health challenges, including end-of-life care, gender issues, clinical trial ethics, etc.

To answer this challenge, EUCLID has designed a world-class doctoral curriculum, which is presented here with full documentation of syllabus and faculty resources, as well as total tuition. This documentation will enable potential students to determine if this program is suitable and aligned with their career objectives.

AUDIENCE | INTEREST GROUPS

This unique PhD program focuses on both theoretical as well as practical and policy aspects of ethics and bioethics.

This doctoral program was primarily designed to serve civil servants of EUCLID’s Participating States, but it is also open to the general public as an excellent route to pursue a career within inter-governmental bodies, NGOs and the public sector.

Thanks to its low tuition and institutional relationships, it is expected to be of special interest to Global South/African students.

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Featured video, program outline.

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Note: to consult the current and official curriculum/list of courses from the EUCLID CMS database, please visit: EUCLID Available Degree Programs and follow the program link.

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Stritch School of Medicine

Doctorate degree, doctorate in bioethics (d.bioethics).

Our professional doctorate in Bioethics (D.Bioethics) is a first-of-its-kind program and meets the growing need for advanced training in Bioethics for professionals with increasing responsibilities related to Bioethics and health policy. These professionals may chair a hospital’s ethics committee, conduct clinical ethics consultations, have administrative-oriented ethics work, or steward issues central to their institution’s mission and values.

Students select one of four areas of concentration: Clinical Bioethics, Catholic Bioethics, Research Ethics, or Public Health and Systems Ethics. The doctorate degree can be completed online.  The Clinical Bioethics concentration does require at least one hybrid course (see Curriculum).

For more information on our online Doctorate in Bioethics, please request information . We invite you register for our online open house webinar .

TOTAL required credit hours for DBE program: 57 ( must maintain a GPA of 3.5)

Students with a master’s degree in bioethics (27 transfer credits) need to complete 3 concentration required courses, 5 elective courses, and 2 capstone courses for a total of 30 credit hours. 

Students without a master’s in bioethics (or the course equivalent) need to complete 3 concentration required courses, 4 core courses (listed here), 10 elective courses, and 2 capstone courses for a total of 57 credit hours:

    BEHL 401 Clinical Bioethics     BEHL 402 Justice and Health Care     BEHL 404 Biomedical Ethics and Law     BEHL 406 Principles of Health Care Ethics

Concentration options and course requirements:

• Clinical Bioethics - Ethics Across the Care Continuum; Ethics Consultation Simulation Seminar*; Advanced Clinical Ethics Skills Course* or Practicum in Clinical Ethics
• Catholic Bioethics - Moral Theology for Bioethics; Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Leadership; Catholic Bioethics and Social Justice
• Research Ethics - Research Ethics; Current Debates in Research Ethics; Emerging Issues in Research Integrity (with track director permission, students in the track can substitute one of the following courses: Empirical Bioethics, Global Bioethics, Independent Study)
• Public Health & Systems Ethics - Public Health Ethics; Social Determinants of Health or Advancing Health Equity Practice; Organizational Ethics I or Organizational Ethics II *Indicates  Hybrid Course  

Learn more about program curriculum HERE .

To apply for admission to the doctoral program, the following documents are required from domestic applicants:

• A completed online admission application.
• Official undergraduate and graduate transcipts.
• Three letters of recommendation (graduates of Loyola's MA in Bioethics program requires one new letter from a source external to the program).
• Statement of Purpose (a brief, one page statement that explains your interest in this program. Why are you applying? How will you integrate this degree into your career?)
• Writing Sample

Applicants to the doctoral program should possess the following:

• Completion of a Master's degree in bioethics with a GPA of 3.67 or higher.
• Exceptional candidates who have an advanced degree in another discipline may be considered for admission. An applicant who lacks an advanced degree in bioethics should make a strong case for their suitability for the doctoral program. An applicant who lacks any background in bioethics should consider starting in the master's program and then potentially matriculating into the doctoral program.
• Evidence of scholarly ability (e.g. publication in a peer-reviewed journal). Because peer-reviewed publication is a major outcome of the program, evidence of writing ability at a publishable level is a major admission criterion.
• Evidence of ability to participate in practical ethics activities (e.g. participation on an ethics committee, institutional review board, conflict of interest committee or other similar activity, conducting ethics consultations, providing ethics leadership)

International applicants must have all transcripts evaluated and must provide the Graduate School Administration office with the evaluation. Learn more . All international applicants must submit a score from the TOEFL exam. International applicants should allow 1-2 months for transcript evaluations to be processed by Educational Credential Evaluators or Educational Perspectives . Learn more about Graduate School admission policies.

Learn more about Graduate School admission policies HERE .

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition information can be found  HERE .

Financial Aid information can be found  HERE .

Visit the graduate application website , select Biomedical Sciences and then Bioethics. There is no fee for online applications. C ontact Robbin Hiller for more information.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Application deadlines for all programs are: January 5 (Spring), May 1 (Summer) and August 1 (Fall). International applicants should allow 1-2 months for transcript evaluations to be processed by  Educational Credential Evaluators or Educational Perspectives . Contact  [email protected] with questions.

"The doctoral degree in Bioethics at Loyola has opened up opportunities to broaden my experience and my involvement in national bioethics in developing better programs for ethics education." Richard Holt, MD, D.Bioethics

The U.S. Department of Education requires any institution offering distance education/online program to students outside of its home state to acquire authorization from the states in which students reside. Please see  Loyola's State Authorization page for the most up-to-date information.

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About the Concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy

The concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy is designed for students who want bioethics to be the distinguishing focus of their career in public health. This program differs from other bioethics doctoral programs in two important ways: first, it focuses on bioethics and it relates to moral questions in public health and health policy rather than in clinical decision-making or bedside dilemmas; and, second, it provides rigorous training in quantitative and qualitative empirical research methods.

Original doctoral research conducted by students in the bioethics program involves analyzing primary or secondary empirical data about specific areas of public health, health policy, or health research, and examining the ethical implications of the issue or study results. By the end of their training, students are prepared to provide not only normative recommendations regarding ethics and public health policy, but also are equipped to function as independent researchers, conducting empirical research related to bioethics, public health and health policy.

Students enrolled in the Bioethics and Health Policy concentration participate in a variety of educational opportunities in bioethics and health policy, including lectures and seminars sponsored by the Berman Institute of Bioethics , the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and collaborations with the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University. Students take courses within the Department of Health Policy and Management and the Bloomberg School, as well as the Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and Georgetown University.

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Bioethics And Health Policy?

The program prepares students for successful research careers as bioethicists. Former students have gone onto careers in academia, government, research-oriented non-profits, and the private sector. Visit the  Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

View a list of selected recent graduates and dissertation titles for the PhD Concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy.

Curriculum for the Concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU Academic Catalogue  and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.

Prior Graduate Degree

Not required, but highly recommended.

Prior Work Experience

Not required, but successful applicants generally have 2-3 years of full-time work experience in a related field.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are  not required and not reviewed  for this program. If you have taken a standardized test such as the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT and want to submit your scores, please note that they will not be used as a metric during the application review.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all required application components.

Brendan Saloner, PhD,

evaluates policies to promote access to health care and a stronger safety net for underserved groups, particularly for people who use drugs.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU   starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help. [email protected]

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Health Care Ethics, Ph.D.

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Saint Louis University’s doctoral program in health care ethics prepares students for a successful career in academic, corporate, research or clinical bioethics settings.

Curriculum Overview

SLU’s Ph.D. in health care ethics is offered by the Albert Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics . The health care ethics Ph.D. integrates an interdisciplinary curriculum with several practica and offers four concentrations to further specialize your doctoral studies.

All students in the traditional Ph.D. in health care ethics program are required to complete 60 credits of coursework in five categories of courses:

• Foundations of Health Care Ethics (12 credits)
• Context of Health Care (12 credits)
• Disciplinary Lens (12 credits)
• Bioethics Content (12 credits)
• Dissertation Research (12 credits)

With the approval of the Ph.D. program director, up to 12 credits (in 5000-level courses or higher) from previous graduate coursework may count as advanced standing toward the disciplinary lens or bioethics content elective categories. Students pursuing the J.D./Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., M.A./Ph.D. or the joint Ph.D. in theology and health care ethics follow a modified curriculum.

You may opt to complete a concentration in one of four areas: Catholic tradition, clinical ethics, empirical research methods or research ethics.

Catholic Tradition Concentration

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in health care ethics may take 15 credits of coursework with an emphasis on health care ethics in the Catholic tradition and write a dissertation (12 credits) in the Catholic tradition to develop expertise in the area of Catholic health care ethics. To enroll in the concentration in health care ethics in the Catholic tradition, students must already hold a master’s degree in theology or religious studies or be enrolled in the M.A./Ph.D. dual-degree program.

Clinical Ethics Concentration

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in health care ethics may take 15 credits of coursework with an emphasis on clinical ethics (12 credits). They'll also write a dissertation on a topic relevant to clinical ethics to develop clinical health care ethics expertise.

Empirical Research Concentration

With the approval of the concentration directors and the Ph.D. program director, students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in health care ethics may opt to complete this concentration to develop expertise in empirical research methods. This concentration prepares students to incorporate empirical methods into a normative dissertation and future research. The focus of the track will be on qualitative research methods (such as ethnography, interviews, focus groups, public deliberation, etc.), though, in consultation with the directors of the concentration, students will have the option of adopting quantitative or mixed methods approaches. Completion of the concentration is meant to indicate special competencies over and above those gained in the Ph.D. program, specifically those that pertain to qualitative empirical research in the field of bioethics.

Students must elect to pursue this concentration by the end of their first semester at the latest. A concentration director must approve the empirical concentration curriculum plan of each student. The concentration requires at least 12 hours of coursework.

Research Ethics Concentration

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in health care ethics may take 15 credits of coursework with an emphasis on research ethics and write a dissertation (12 credits) in research ethics to develop expertise in the area of human research ethics.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

All Ph.D. students take a three-semester, 150-hour clinical practicum to gain experience working in a clinical setting. Students interested in the clinical ethics concentration can complete an additional advanced practicum in which students are placed in active clinical ethics consultation services for 300+ hours. In addition to these fieldwork opportunities, most Ph.D. students graduate with two or more publications.

Professionals from the fields of law, medicine, nursing, public health, philosophy and religious studies have joined SLU’s Ph.D. program in health care ethics. Our graduates have been highly successful in finding excellent full-time positions both in education (teaching and conducting research in health care ethics) and in health care systems (as professional ethicists).

Admission Requirements

Students entering the Ph.D. program in health care ethics will have an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field, for instance, philosophy, theology, a clinical field, social sciences or law. Successful applicants usually have a high GPA, high GRE percentiles (especially in the verbal and analytical writing categories), a strong normative writing sample and a demonstration of overall fit with the program’s educational objectives.

The Catholic Health Association has recommended that ethicists working in Catholic health care with an interdisciplinary Ph.D. degree should additionally hold an M.A. in theology. It is strongly recommended that students who do not already hold an M.A. in theology complete the dual-degree program, offered in collaboration with the Aquinas Institute of Theology. Alternately, students should plan on completing an M.A. prior to commencing work in Catholic health care.

Application Requirements

• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Writing sample
• Professional goal statement
• Application deadline Dec. 1

Requirements for International Students 

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

• Demonstrate  English Language Proficiency
• Courses taken and/or lectures attended
• Practical laboratory work
• The maximum and minimum grades attainable
• The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
• Any honors or degrees received.
• WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
• A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
• A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Assistantship Deadline

Applicants who are admitted to the Ph.D. program will be invited to submit a separate application for assistantship funding. Contact the Ph.D. program director for more information.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed by a committee of faculty members from the Albert Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics.

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award. 

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

• Graduates will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of the foundational disciplines, methods, topics and issues in health care ethics required for the scholarly analysis of issues in the field. 
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate proficiency in formulating original, normative arguments on topics related to health care ethics.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, develop and bring to successful completion an original, sustained and coherent independent research project that contributes to the field (i.e. the dissertation).
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate an ability to generate appropriate job search materials (i.e. curriculum vitae, teaching portfolio, writing sample, etc.)

Non Course Requirements

Research tools.

These competencies are essential for success in health care ethics. Students may develop these competencies through different mechanisms.

• Competency in medical terminology
• Competency in library database skills
• Competency in reading statistics and study design

Comprehensive Examinations

The comprehensive examinations occur after completing all coursework and practica. 

Dissertation Proposal

The student will work closely with the dissertation chair to select a dissertation topic and plan the dissertation proposal in a timely manner. In the dissertation proposal, the student must present substantial evidence of the ability to develop and sustain an extended normative project on a bioethics topic. Once the chair is satisfied with the proposal, it will be sent to the two faculty readers for their comments. It is at this stage that the readers are expected to influence the general outline of the dissertation. The student will then address the comments of the readers and submit a revised proposal to the chair. This process may be repeated until the chair, readers and student are satisfied with the proposal.

Dissertations: Nontraditional Format

Ordinarily, doctoral candidates in the Ph.D. program in health care ethics will follow the traditional guidelines for dissertations. However, when appropriate, a student’s dissertation committee may permit the student to write a dissertation using a nontraditional format, the body of which consists of at least three thematically related original article-length manuscripts, at least two of which must be accepted for publication. As is always the case, all dissertation content must receive final approval by the student’s dissertation committee. The mere fact that a manuscript has been published or accepted for publication does not guarantee that it can be used toward a nontraditional dissertation. Ordinarily, if a faculty member serves as a co-author on one of the publications, this faculty member would not serve as the student’s dissertation chair. The nontraditional dissertation format requires that:

• The three incorporated articles be preceded by a substantive introduction chapter and followed by a substantive conclusion chapter, which will integrate the three manuscripts into a coherent whole.
• Ordinarily, the student is the sole or primary author of all three manuscripts.
• At least two of the three manuscripts must be fully accepted for publication and the third at least under review.
• Dissertations must satisfy the formatting requirements dictated by the "Policies and Procedures for Thesis, Project, and Dissertation Formatting."
• All articles incorporated into the dissertation must have been submitted while enrolled in the Ph.D. program.

Oral Defense of the Dissertation

Upon completion of the dissertation, students publicly present and defend their dissertation before their dissertation committee, CHCE faculty and doctoral students.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 in all graduate/professional courses.

Empirical Research Methods Concentration

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Take either course depending on interest and career goals. May take both, with the second acting as an elective.

Take the “Consuming Empirical Literature” exam the first day of class.

Take the “Medical Terminology” exam the first day of class.

An introduction to graduate-level database and library search skills, taught by library faculty.

Complete the clinical shadowing eligibility requirements prior to beginning of class.

Program Notes

• Students are encouraged to concentrate elective courses in a primary methodological or content area, versus a broad sampling of courses. Common choices are 6xxx-level courses in theology and philosophy.
• Concentration in Research Ethics : Electives focus on topics related to research ethics, and the dissertation will be written on a research ethics topic. One elective will be in research methodology; one elective will be an Advanced Research Ethics Practicum; one elective will be a non-HCE elective related to research ethics and the elective in the final semester will be a directed reading on research ethics, preparing the student’s dissertation prospectus.
• Concentration in Catholic Tradition : Electives focus on topics related to Catholic health care ethics, and the dissertation will be written on a Catholic health care topic. One elective will be HCE 6310 Health Care Ethics: Catholic Tradition (3 cr) ; one elective will be an elective related to health care and the catholic tradition, usually in theology; the elective in the final semester will be a directed reading on Catholic health care ethics, preparing the student’s dissertation prospectus.
• Concentration in Clinical Ethics : Electives focus on topics related to clinical ethics, and the dissertation will be written on a clinical ethics topic. One elective will be HCE 6540 Advanced Clinical Ethics Practicum (3 cr) ; one elective will be a non-HCE elective related to clinical ethics and the elective in the final semester will be a directed reading on clinical ethics, preparing the student’s dissertation prospectus.
• Concentration in Empirical Research Methods in Ethics : Electives focus on topics related to empirical research methods, and the dissertation will be written using an empirical research method. Two (preferably three) electives will be graduate-level methods courses taught outside HCE and the elective in the final semester will be HCE 6520 Quantitative Research in Descriptive Ethics (3 cr) , preparing the student’s dissertation prospectus.

For additional information about our program, please contact:

Harold Braswell, Ph.D.  Graduate program coordinator, health care ethics [email protected]  

Next Steps to SLU

Ready to take the next step? Request more information, schedule a visit or apply for admission.

Visit the Medical Ethics and Health Policy  Online Education  to explore all online educational opportunities offered by the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy. Health care professionals worldwide can prepare to navigate change through various online education programs taught by Penn's experts in improving health care. 

Master of Health Care Innovation

The University of Pennsylvania’s online master's degree in Health Care Innovation (MHCI) forges a diverse network of innovative thinkers and leaders passionate about improving health care. Designed by the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, the MHCI brings together bright and ambitious change agents from across health care. By studying and interacting online as a cohort, they expand their perspective and develop a community of support and inspiration. The multidisciplinary curriculum—taught by leading, active experts—builds students’ skills to face urgent needs and long-term challenges.

Continuing Education

Find training that matters for bioethics issues that matter—delivered through brief, engaging activities designed to share expertise in brief segments. Whether you are a clinician in need of continuing education credits or an individual seeking ethics training, this free training from Penn Medical Ethics will prepare you to act in an informed way. Learn at your convenience and online.  Continue to the courses and registration options.

Credit Courses for Penn Students and Staff

Penn faculty, staff, and graduate and professional students are invited to enroll in a selection of online courses from the Master of Health Care Innovation. Expand your innovation and leadership skills while learning tools to apply to your daily work. Take courses individually according to your needs and interests, or complete four of these courses within two years to receive a Graduate Certificate in Health Care Innovation.

MEHP Online Education - Thought Leadership

The research, stories, and thought leadership of MEHP Online Education faculty, alumni, and staff extend beyond the online classroom. Explore select content ranging from leadership lessons, to innovation techniques, to preparing for public health emergencies. Read the latest thought leadership.

MEHP Online Teaching Resources

The MEHP team of online education specialists, created a library to share a practical approach to teaching and learning online. These  resources —including downloadable tools and remote teaching best practices—help instructors and students. Material is available for noncommercial use, free of charge.

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• PhD Program

Bioethics PhD Program

CWRU is home to the nation’s first PhD in Bioethics, created in 2004. Since then, we have trained a stellar group of scholars in bioethics and medical humanities that are advancing our field in many areas. Areas range among philosophy, health sciences, law, management, public policy and social sciences, religious studies, and more. We have welcomed students into our program from a variety of backgrounds. All students in the PhD program in Bioethics gain interdisciplinary training in order to conceptualize, design, and conduct both normative ethical analysis and empirical research, on bioethical issues.

The next PhD in Bioethics cohort will enter our program in Fall 2026. The application window opens early September 2025. 

We Train Bioethics and Medical Humanities Scholars

Our program’s objective is to train scholars to possess specific expertise in the conceptualization, design and execution of both normative and empirical research– on issues in bioethics and medical humanities. .

Graduates will:

• Obtain grounding in the philosophical basis of bioethics– to conceptualize and analyze moral problems
• Develop a theoretical perspective to guide their research
• Be proficient in empirical methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative) to conduct research on bioethical issues
• Conceptualize and develop timely and meaningful research questions in bioethics
• Emerge with the necessary skills to prepare academic publications and presentations; and to compete for academic positions and grant funding from NIH, NSF, and private foundations.

Opportunities for graduates of the PhD program in Bioethics are bountiful! They include careers as independent investigators, serving as a bridge between colleagues in the traditional medical humanities and those in clinical and basic-science departments. Or, employment in academic bioethics centers, clinical and basic science departments in medical schools, schools of public health, government agencies, and public policy institutes.

"Where Can a PhD in Bioethics Take You?" Webinar

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Medical Ethics and Law

• Entry year 2025
• Duration Full time 3 - 4 years, Part time 4 - 7 years

The PhD in Medical Ethics and Law provides research training in core concepts and theories in the moral and political philosophy of current issues in biomedicine and health. The programme offers training in areas of the law that address these issues within national and international frameworks. We welcome applications concerning issues in reproductive ethics, environmental ethics, research ethics, clinical ethics and the donation of human body parts.

Your department

• Lancaster Medical School Faculty of Health and Medicine
• Telephone +44 (0)1524 592032

Entry requirements

Academic requirements.

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Additional Requirements

As part of your application you will also need to provide a viable research proposal. Guidance for writing a research proposal can be found on our writing a research proposal webpage.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications .

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes .

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email [email protected]

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Fees and funding

The tuition fee for students with home fee status is set in line with the standard fee stipend provided by the UK Research Councils. The fee stipend for 2025/26 has not been set. For reference the fee stipend for 2024/25 was full-time £4,786, part-time £2,393.

The international fee for new entrants in 2025/26 is full-time £27,150, part-time £13,570.

Depending on the nature of the research project, an additional programme cost may be charged. This additional fee will contribute towards the costs incurred on specific research projects. These costs could include purchasing specialist consumables, equipment access charges, fieldwork expenses and payments for transcription/translation services. Normally any additional charge will not exceed a maximum of £9,720 but this could be increased in exceptional circumstances.

Applicants will be notified of any specific additional programme cost when the offer of a place is made.

General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Additional costs.

There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.

Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.

College fees

Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.

Computer equipment and internet access

To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.

The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.

Application fees and tuition fee deposits

For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.

For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.

What is my fee status?

The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status .

Fees in subsequent years

If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years .

Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities .

We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries .

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Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information .

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies .

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