Medical and Health Humanities MA

Our MA Medical and Health Humanities offers you a dynamic, interdisciplinary approach to the study of health, illness and medicine through cultural, historical and philosophical perspectives. Whether you are a healthcare professional seeking to deepen your understanding of the human experience in healthcare, or someone with cross-disciplinary interests in medicine and health, this course has been developed to give you the chance to explore the fascinating intersections of medicine, culture and ethics.

Why choose this course?

* It is uniquely designed with two different pathways: one which is ideal if you are a medical and healthcare professional; the other if you come from an arts, humanities or social sciences background. You can attend classes for either pathway on campus, online or via a combination of both.

* It is taught by research-active scholars and professionals working in healthcare, policy reform and activism and is enriched by its close connection with Birkbeck’s Centre for Medical and Health Humanities.

* You will be able to choose from a range of modules spanning literature, social sciences, art history, cultural studies, history, philosophy, film and geography.

* You can opt to apply for a museum and heritage work placement during the summer term of this course to help you gain valuable experience and a clearer understanding of your potential career progression.

What will I learn?

If you are a doctor, nurse, therapist or healthcare professional, the Medical and Healthcare Professional Pathway allows you to develop a deeper understanding of the patient experience, medical ethics and cultural perceptions of health and illness.

If you have a background in the arts, humanities or social sciences then the Cross-Disciplinary Pathway (CDP) offers you the opportunity to curate for yourself a truly interdisciplinary degree. For example, you could follow your interests in analysing the history of medical institutions, evaluating contemporary debates on AI and medicine, or exploring the philosophical dimensions of climate and health.

How will I learn?

You will learn through lectures, seminars and workshops and engage with a range of materials from academic criticism to narratives of lived experience and explore archives and a diversity of literary and artistic works.

This course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening on campus, online or via flexible learning.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

Highlights

* This course grows out of Birkbeck’s Centre for Medical and Health Humanities. We host visiting speakers, give talks, run a regular reading group and provide a hub for the College's diverse research in the field.

* You will have the opportunity to take part in our Medicine and Health Humanities Film Festival during our annual Arts Week.

* All Master's students are eligible to apply for our prestigious Eric Hobsbawm Scholarships, subject to availability.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this course you will have gained an array of transferable skills, including:

* a sophisticated use of written and spoken English

* an advanced critical ability in the use of theoretical perspectives

* facility and precision in the use of analytical tools

* strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented reports.

Graduates can pursue careers in fields including in:

* medicine

* academia

* research

* publishing

* journalism

* healthcare education or administration

* community health

* education

* law.