MA Medical and Health Humanities
Course overview
Birkbeck University, London, MA Medical and Health Humanities offers an interdisciplinary study of health, illness, and medicine through cultural, historical, and philosophical lenses. The programme is for healthcare professionals who want to deepen their understanding of the human experience in medicine, and graduates from the arts, humanities, or social sciences who are interested in medicine’s broader social, cultural, and ethical aspects.
Students are taught through lectures, seminars, and workshops, covering academic criticism, personal narratives of illness, archives, literature, and art, and are assessed through essays, close-reading commentaries, research portfolios, and a 15,000-word dissertation.
Entry requirements
Candidates for the MA Medical and Health Humanities at Birkbeck University, London, are required to submit a personal statement explaining their reasons for applying for this programme. A relevant academic reference or an employer reference is also needed, and applicants may upload a CV to show work experience.
Grade Requirements:
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Applicants should hold at least a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above, ideally in arts, humanities, or social sciences.
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Applicants with a different degree may still be considered if they have sufficient relevant experience.
English Proficiency:
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Applicants whose English is not their first language need an overall score of 6.5 in the IELTS Academic test, with not less than 6.0 in each section.
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Pre-sessional English courses or foundation programmes may be offered if you do not meet the minimum level.
Career opportunities
Graduates of the MA Medical and Health Humanities from Birkbeck University, London, can pursue careers across several fields:
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Academia / Research
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Publishing (books, journals, health-related media)
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Healthcare education or administration
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Community health & public health work
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Journalism (health reporting, cultural commentary)
Cost of study
Full-time international students of the MA Medical and Health Humanities at Birkbeck University, London, pay the tuition fee of £20,850 per year. Fees are subject to annual increase.
Admission
Candidates for the MA Medical and Health Humanities at Birkbeck University, London, should submit their applications through the school's application portal. If you need more information or have inquiries, please reach out to our trained counsellors.
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