This Masters programme provides a detailed account of medical law in Scotland and in England and Wales, including a rigorous exploration of the arguments around the law. You will explore how law affects healthcare practice. This is due not only to patients seeking compensation for clinical injuries in ever larger numbers but also to frequent applications to the courts to settle issues relating to access to and the provision of appropriate treatment in complex and controversial situations.

Programme overview

• MML: 36 months part-time (distance learning)

The first two years involves online interactive modules and your attendance at two annual residential weekends at the University in each year. The method of assessment in each of the first two years is four essay-style assignments of around 5,000 words each.

The first year consists of compulsory core and optional modules covering fundamental principles of medical law.

Core modules (one assignment from each)

• Introduction to law
• Medical negligence
• General principles of consent.

Optional modules (one assignment to be chosen)

• Decision-making for the incompetent patient
• Confidentiality
• Product liability and vaccine damage.

The second year allows you the opportunity to consider issues arising in reproductive medicine and in end of life care. There are module options to choose from in both areas but you must choose two modules to complete assignments on from each area.

Issues at the beginning of life (two assignments to be chosen)

• Assisted reproduction
• Controlling reproduction
• Maternal-fetal issues
• Surrogacy.

Issues at the end of life (two assignments to be chosen)

• The legal meaning of death (including consideration of PVS)
• Withholding and withdrawing treatment
• Organ transplantation
• Assisted suicide and euthanasia.

In both years all online modules will be available to you, regardless of the assignment chosen.

At the end of this two-year period, you will have one further academic year to submit a dissertation of around 20,000 words, on a relevant subject, under supervision. However, please note that successful completion of this programme does not qualify you to undertake professional legal practice as a solicitor, advocate or barrister, for which separate academic and professional qualifications are required.

Career prospects

If you are already in medical or legal practice, the knowledge you gain on the MML will be extremely valuable to you.

Examples of other career opportunities include positions as medical law advisors for professional associations, case assessors for solicitors' firms and private medico-legal consultants.

Academic entry requirements

Entry requirements for Medical Law are a first or second class (2:2 upwards) Honours degree or equivalent qualification.

OR an approved equivalent qualification from a higher education institution recognised by the Senate.

A medical degree is treated as equivalent to the Honours Degree for this purpose.

Applicants with other qualifications should contact Ms Sarah Elliston: Sarah.Elliston@glasgow.ac.uk

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 7.5
• no sub-test less than 7.0

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Standard application deadlines

• International applications (non-EU) 25 July 2014
• UK and EU applications 29 August 2014

Classes start September 2014 for most courses and you may be expected to attend induction sessions the week before. 

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