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Master of Laws

LLM Medical Law and Ethics

Our LLM Medical Law and Ethics course is designed for law and non-law graduates seeking specialist expertise at the intersection of healthcare, law and ethics. Develop the knowledge needed for careers in medico-legal practice, clinical governance, healthcare leadership, policy and regulation.

Clock 13 days until application deadline for October 2026 domestic students
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Course length
from 12 months to 24 months
Study mode
Full-time or Part-time
Method
On Campus
Fees and funding
from £12,750
See full fees and funding
Entry requirements
2:2
See full entry requirements
Next start date
October 2026
See all start dates

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Overview

Why choose our LLM Medical Law and Ethics course?

  1. Develop critical legal understanding around key medical issues –  Such as consent, medical negligence, mental health, reproductive medicine and end-of-life care. You’ll also cover ethics, consent and confidentiality.
  2. Increase your earning potential – On average, postgraduates earn significantly higher salaries, and an internationally recognised master's degree can open opportunities abroad. You'll also have access to CV clinics and reviews, 1:1 careers advice, mock interviews, application clinics and LLM induction workshops to help you get started.
  3. Customise your pathway – Choose your own research topic, aligned to your interests and career goals. Work 1:1 with a dedicated advisor who will guide your research journey.
  4. Research-informed teaching – Benefit from cutting-edge academic research with professional practice insights. This keeps your studies current, relevant and ready for real-world legal, commercial and regulatory challenges.
  5. Strengthen your network – Connect with other students, faculty and industry professionals on an international scale. Seek out opportunities for future placements and job opportunities.

About our LLM Medical Law and Ethics course

Our LLM Medical Law and Ethics course

Our LLM Medical Law and Ethics course at The University of Law is ideal if you have a qualification in medicine or ambitions of working in medical liability. It can open pathways across medico-legal practice, bioethics, clinical governance, healthcare management, policy and regulation.

This course introduces medical law, ethics and legal research before exploring patients' rights to consent to or refuse medical treatment, including in relation to competent and incompetent patients. You'll examine key issues at the beginning and end of life, including assisted conception, fertility control, abortion, the right to die, euthanasia and assisted suicide. You'll also explore mental health, medical negligence and its impact on the NHS, organ donation, the body as property and confidentiality.

Whether you’re looking to progress in medical law or simply understand how it works in practice, this programme can support your ambitions. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills that can help you take the next step in your career.

Possible study locations and start dates

LLM Medical Law and Ethics (Master of Laws)
Full-time Part-time
  • London Bloomsbury
  • Manchester
  • London Bloomsbury
  • Manchester
LLM Medical Law and Ethics (Master of Laws)
Full-time Part-time
  • London Bloomsbury
  • Manchester
  • London Bloomsbury
  • Manchester
LLM Medical Law and Ethics (Master of Laws)
Full-time Part-time
  • London Bloomsbury
  • Manchester
  • London Bloomsbury
  • Manchester
LLM Medical Law and Ethics (Master of Laws)
Full-time Part-time
  • London Bloomsbury
  • Manchester
  • London Bloomsbury
  • Manchester

Course Content

Modules

At the start of the first semester, in addition to a general induction to the programme, there is a two-week induction covering the Key Principles of the English Legal System. This is compulsory for non-law students, but also open to law students wanting a refresher in the fundamentals of the law of England and Wales. This would be useful for any student who has taken a considerable break from legal education.

Semesters 1 and 2

Compulsory modules
Medical Law and Ethics
Research Methods Training

You’ll then choose three 30 credit modules* to study across semesters from our elective module guide running at your location of study.

View the elective module guide

*All optional modules are subject to availability and may change from time to time. Not all modules may be available in all terms. Only modules running at the location of study will be available to choose.

Semester 3

Compulsory module
Dissertation in Medical Law and Ethics

Semesters 1-4

Compulsory modules
Medical Law and Ethics
Research Methods Training

You’ll then choose three 30 credit modules* to study across semesters from our elective module guide running at your location of study.

View the elective module guide

*All optional modules are subject to availability and may change from time to time. Not all modules may be available in all terms. Only modules running at the location of study will be available to choose.

Semesters 5 and 6

Compulsory module
Dissertation in Medical Law and Ethics

Teaching and Assessment

How you'll learn

This course has an innovatively flexible structure, with specific assessments that are conducive to effective learning.

The approach to learning and teaching on the Master of Laws programmes is predominantly learner-centred. Each taught module is divided into a number of units which follow our unique dynamic learning model: Prepare, Engage, Consolidate (PEC).

Prepare: This represents all the work you need to complete before attending the relevant workshop. Traditional lecture content will be presented in short bite-sized segments of approximately ten minutes. Guided independent research and reading will be expected as part of your preparation.

Engage: This is the interactive element of the unit. This could be a face to face
workshop, a synchronous online workshop or an asynchronous online activity.

Consolidate: This is the final part which can be used to check your understanding of the unit immediately after your Engage activity or as part of your revision for the module, or both.

Assessment

Each taught module has its own assessment method. Typically, modules are either assessed by a three-hour unseen written examination or a 4,500-word coursework assignment.

The dissertation module will be assessed by submission of a 15,000-word thesis and provides an opportunity for sustained, in-depth and intensive investigation into, and reflection upon, a specialist area of medical law and ethics.

Full-time students: Your course will be divided into three semesters over 12 months. In semesters one and two, you’ll study two 30 credit modules (four in total) and in semester three you’ll complete your dissertation.

Part-time students: Your course will be divided into six semesters over 24 months. In semesters one to four, you’ll study one 30 credit module (four in total) and in semesters five and six you’ll complete your dissertation.

You’ll be timetabled for teaching on campus up to two days a week.

Our Academic Coaches at The University of Law will offer you guidance through your course as well as assistance and advice as required during your time studying with us. They'll also be on hand to help you develop your plans for your future career.

Course dates

Application and booking deadlines vary by intake - take a look at our key application and enrolment deadline dates for more information.

With so many options for studying this course, you can be sure to find a start date and study option to suit your needs.

Course dates 2026-2027 ➔ 

Fees and Applying

Course fees

Location Fees
2026/27 Course Fees (for courses starting between 1 July 2026 – 31 May 2027)  

London

£15,000

Outside London

£12,750
2027/28 Course Fees (for courses starting between 1 June 2027 – 31 May 2028)  

London

£15,350

Outside London

£13,050

All fees above include a deposit of £250.

The University of Law offers a wide range of scholarships and bursaries which makes studying more affordable than ever. You could also be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.

If you're an alumnus of the University, you may be eligible to receive our £1,000 General Alumni Discount.

Location Fees
2026/27 Course Fees (for courses starting between 1 July 2026 – 31 May 2027)  

London

£19,600 (or £17,100 including a £2,500 International Bursary*)

Outside London

£18,250 (or £15,750 including a £2,500 International Bursary*)
2027/28 Course Fees (for courses starting between 1 June 2027 – 31 May 2028)  

London

£20,100

Outside London

£18,700

All fees above include a deposit amount of £250.

*Terms and conditions apply. Visit our International Scholarships and Bursaries page for more details.

Entry Requirements

2:2

Undergraduate Degree

UK entry requirements

2:2 or above from a UK Bachelor's degree, or equivalent qualifications.

International entry requirements

An English Language level equivalent to IELTS 6.5 or above with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.

Please note, due to Home Office regulations, students who require a Student Route visa to study with us are not permitted to study online and can only choose face-to-face taught modules.

Applying

Apply to The University of Law

If you would like to study LLM Medical Law and Ethics you can apply directly with us.

Apply now
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