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Durham University: Medical Humanities
| Institution | Durham University View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | English Studies |
| Web | durham.ac.uk |
| Telephone | 0191 334 1000 |
| Study type | Taught |
MA
Summary
Course details The MA in Medical Humanities is an exciting and challenging course that applies the knowledge and insight of the humanities and social sciences to study and understand better what is meant by health and illness outside of a medical context and, in particular, to analyse how our thoughts and physical experiences become recognised as symptoms. The MA is suitable if you have an undergraduate qualification in an area such as Anthropology; English; Geography; Law; Modern Languages and Cultures; Philosophy; Sociology; and related disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. You may also benefit if you have a background in health and social care and are looking to bring humanities and social sciences perspectives to bear in your professional practice. Learning from leading scholars in the subject, you will be joining an interdisciplinary MA led by the University’s Institute for Medical Humanities and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The course blends face-to-face study with online learning to provide a fascinating and comprehensive introduction to the wide range of approaches to health taken by different academic disciplines.
Why Durham University? Explore the important contribution the arts and humanities make in the response to ongoing global challenges, and learn how this insight is being used to improve the lives of individuals and communities across the world. From health and the human experience to responses to the environmental crisis, our flexible and accessible postgraduate qualifications are centred around areas that are highly relevant in the world today. Our courses extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, drawing on methods and insights from the arts, humanities, social sciences and the natural sciences to develop effective responses to climate and environmental crises and to health and wellbeing challenges. Students learn directly from many of the UK’s leading academic experts in these rapidly developing fields. Our team takes a collaborative approach that enables more effective communication across disciplines to address the intersecting nature of these problems.
Facilities The interdisciplinary nature of our courses combined with the flexibility in modules gives our students access to a range of teaching and learning facilities across the wider University as well as the specialist archives and collections in arts and humanities. We are home to a number of related research centres and institutes including the Centre for Culture and Ecology, a group of researchers who explore the effects of changing climate on the location, abundance, behaviour and physiology of populations and communities. The Institute of Medical Humanities is a pioneering research institute that explores the everyday experiences of health and illness from the emergence of symptoms to the cultural contexts and constructs of health.
Career Opportunities Our taught MA degrees provide a strong foundation for a future in research and many postgraduates stay with us to undertake PhD studies. Graduates who progress into the workplace take with them a range of professional and transferable skills that are valued in the public and private sectors. As well as advanced communication and analytical skills they are equipped to understand complex scenarios from multiple perspectives. An increasing number of employers are incorporating sustainable and wellbeing goals into their organisations which open up pathways into a wider range of sectors. For Environmental Humanities graduates, career options include government agencies, corporate responsibility and sustainability, sustainability management, policy research, environmental journalism, environmental tourism, conservation work, environmentally oriented NGOs and charities.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | At least one of the following: For International Country and Region specific qualifications please see: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/regional-pages/ Please check the Requirements and Admissions section of the course database for details and exact requirements. Guidance for Home Applicants You can apply to this course by clicking the link "Apply" at the top right of the page above Course Summary. This will redirect you to Durham University Post Graduate information page where you will be able to apply via the Post Graduate Applicant Portal. |
| Location | Durham City Palatine Centre Durham DH1 3HP |
Fees
| England | 13000 GBP for Whole course |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 13000 GBP for Whole course |
| Scotland | 13000 GBP for Whole course |
| Wales | 13000 GBP for Whole course |
| Channel Islands | 13000 GBP for Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | 13000 GBP for Whole course |
| EU | 28500 GBP for Whole course |
| International | 28500 GBP for Whole course |
Summary
Course details The MA in Medical Humanities is an exciting and challenging course that applies the knowledge and insight of the humanities and social sciences to study and understand better what is meant by health and illness outside of a medical context and, in particular, to analyse how our thoughts and physical experiences become recognised as symptoms. The MA is suitable if you have an undergraduate qualification in an area such as Anthropology; English; Geography; Law; Modern Languages and Cultures; Philosophy; Sociology; and related disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. You may also benefit if you have a background in health and social care and are looking to bring humanities and social sciences perspectives to bear in your professional practice. Learning from leading scholars in the subject, you will be joining an interdisciplinary MA led by the University’s Institute for Medical Humanities and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The course blends face-to-face study with online learning to provide a fascinating and comprehensive introduction to the wide range of approaches to health taken by different academic disciplines.
Why Durham University? Explore the important contribution the arts and humanities make in the response to ongoing global challenges, and learn how this insight is being used to improve the lives of individuals and communities across the world. From health and the human experience to responses to the environmental crisis, our flexible and accessible postgraduate qualifications are centred around areas that are highly relevant in the world today. Our courses extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, drawing on methods and insights from the arts, humanities, social sciences and the natural sciences to develop effective responses to climate and environmental crises and to health and wellbeing challenges. Students learn directly from many of the UK’s leading academic experts in these rapidly developing fields. Our team takes a collaborative approach that enables more effective communication across disciplines to address the intersecting nature of these problems.
Facilities The interdisciplinary nature of our courses combined with the flexibility in modules gives our students access to a range of teaching and learning facilities across the wider University as well as the specialist archives and collections in arts and humanities. We are home to a number of related research centres and institutes including the Centre for Culture and Ecology, a group of researchers who explore the effects of changing climate on the location, abundance, behaviour and physiology of populations and communities. The Institute of Medical Humanities is a pioneering research institute that explores the everyday experiences of health and illness from the emergence of symptoms to the cultural contexts and constructs of health.
Career Opportunities Our taught MA degrees provide a strong foundation for a future in research and many postgraduates stay with us to undertake PhD studies. Graduates who progress into the workplace take with them a range of professional and transferable skills that are valued in the public and private sectors. As well as advanced communication and analytical skills they are equipped to understand complex scenarios from multiple perspectives. An increasing number of employers are incorporating sustainable and wellbeing goals into their organisations which open up pathways into a wider range of sectors. For Environmental Humanities graduates, career options include government agencies, corporate responsibility and sustainability, sustainability management, policy research, environmental journalism, environmental tourism, conservation work, environmentally oriented NGOs and charities.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | At least one of the following: For International Country and Region specific qualifications please see: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/regional-pages/ Please check the Requirements and Admissions section of the course database for details and exact requirements. Guidance for Home Applicants You can apply to this course by clicking the link "Apply" at the top right of the page above Course Summary. This will redirect you to Durham University Post Graduate information page where you will be able to apply via the Post Graduate Applicant Portal. |
| Location | Durham City Palatine Centre Durham DH1 3HP |
Summary
Course details The MA in Medical Humanities is an exciting and challenging course that applies the knowledge and insight of the humanities and social sciences to study and understand better what is meant by health and illness outside of a medical context and, in particular, to analyse how our thoughts and physical experiences become recognised as symptoms. The MA is suitable if you have an undergraduate qualification in an area such as Anthropology; English; Geography; Law; Modern Languages and Cultures; Philosophy; Sociology; and related disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. You may also benefit if you have a background in health and social care and are looking to bring humanities and social sciences perspectives to bear in your professional practice. Learning from leading scholars in the subject, you will be joining an interdisciplinary MA led by the University’s Institute for Medical Humanities and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The course blends face-to-face study with online learning to provide a fascinating and comprehensive introduction to the wide range of approaches to health taken by different academic disciplines.
Why Durham University? Explore the important contribution the arts and humanities make in the response to ongoing global challenges, and learn how this insight is being used to improve the lives of individuals and communities across the world. From health and the human experience to responses to the environmental crisis, our flexible and accessible postgraduate qualifications are centred around areas that are highly relevant in the world today. Our courses extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, drawing on methods and insights from the arts, humanities, social sciences and the natural sciences to develop effective responses to climate and environmental crises and to health and wellbeing challenges. Students learn directly from many of the UK’s leading academic experts in these rapidly developing fields. Our team takes a collaborative approach that enables more effective communication across disciplines to address the intersecting nature of these problems.
Facilities The interdisciplinary nature of our courses combined with the flexibility in modules gives our students access to a range of teaching and learning facilities across the wider University as well as the specialist archives and collections in arts and humanities. We are home to a number of related research centres and institutes including the Centre for Culture and Ecology, a group of researchers who explore the effects of changing climate on the location, abundance, behaviour and physiology of populations and communities. The Institute of Medical Humanities is a pioneering research institute that explores the everyday experiences of health and illness from the emergence of symptoms to the cultural contexts and constructs of health.
Career Opportunities Our taught MA degrees provide a strong foundation for a future in research and many postgraduates stay with us to undertake PhD studies. Graduates who progress into the workplace take with them a range of professional and transferable skills that are valued in the public and private sectors. As well as advanced communication and analytical skills they are equipped to understand complex scenarios from multiple perspectives. An increasing number of employers are incorporating sustainable and wellbeing goals into their organisations which open up pathways into a wider range of sectors. For Environmental Humanities graduates, career options include government agencies, corporate responsibility and sustainability, sustainability management, policy research, environmental journalism, environmental tourism, conservation work, environmentally oriented NGOs and charities.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | At least one of the following: For International Country and Region specific qualifications please see: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/regional-pages/ Please check the Requirements and Admissions section of the course database for details and exact requirements. Guidance for Home Applicants You can apply to this course by clicking the link "Apply" at the top right of the page above Course Summary. This will redirect you to Durham University Post Graduate information page where you will be able to apply via the Post Graduate Applicant Portal. |
| Location | Durham City Palatine Centre Durham DH1 3HP |
Fees
| England | 12500 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 12500 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 12500 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 12500 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 12500 GBP for Year 1 |
| EU | 27500 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 27500 GBP for Year 1 |
Summary
Course details The MA in Medical Humanities is an exciting and challenging course that applies the knowledge and insight of the humanities and social sciences to study and understand better what is meant by health and illness outside of a medical context and, in particular, to analyse how our thoughts and physical experiences become recognised as symptoms. The MA is suitable if you have an undergraduate qualification in an area such as Anthropology; English; Geography; Law; Modern Languages and Cultures; Philosophy; Sociology; and related disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. You may also benefit if you have a background in health and social care and are looking to bring humanities and social sciences perspectives to bear in your professional practice. Learning from leading scholars in the subject, you will be joining an interdisciplinary MA led by the University’s Institute for Medical Humanities and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The course blends face-to-face study with online learning to provide a fascinating and comprehensive introduction to the wide range of approaches to health taken by different academic disciplines.
Why Durham University? Explore the important contribution the arts and humanities make in the response to ongoing global challenges, and learn how this insight is being used to improve the lives of individuals and communities across the world. From health and the human experience to responses to the environmental crisis, our flexible and accessible postgraduate qualifications are centred around areas that are highly relevant in the world today. Our courses extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, drawing on methods and insights from the arts, humanities, social sciences and the natural sciences to develop effective responses to climate and environmental crises and to health and wellbeing challenges. Students learn directly from many of the UK’s leading academic experts in these rapidly developing fields. Our team takes a collaborative approach that enables more effective communication across disciplines to address the intersecting nature of these problems.
Facilities The interdisciplinary nature of our courses combined with the flexibility in modules gives our students access to a range of teaching and learning facilities across the wider University as well as the specialist archives and collections in arts and humanities. We are home to a number of related research centres and institutes including the Centre for Culture and Ecology, a group of researchers who explore the effects of changing climate on the location, abundance, behaviour and physiology of populations and communities. The Institute of Medical Humanities is a pioneering research institute that explores the everyday experiences of health and illness from the emergence of symptoms to the cultural contexts and constructs of health.
Career Opportunities Our taught MA degrees provide a strong foundation for a future in research and many postgraduates stay with us to undertake PhD studies. Graduates who progress into the workplace take with them a range of professional and transferable skills that are valued in the public and private sectors. As well as advanced communication and analytical skills they are equipped to understand complex scenarios from multiple perspectives. An increasing number of employers are incorporating sustainable and wellbeing goals into their organisations which open up pathways into a wider range of sectors. For Environmental Humanities graduates, career options include government agencies, corporate responsibility and sustainability, sustainability management, policy research, environmental journalism, environmental tourism, conservation work, environmentally oriented NGOs and charities.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | At least one of the following: For International Country and Region specific qualifications please see: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/regional-pages/ Please check the Requirements and Admissions section of the course database for details and exact requirements. Guidance for Home Applicants You can apply to this course by clicking the link "Apply" at the top right of the page above Course Summary. This will redirect you to Durham University Post Graduate information page where you will be able to apply via the Post Graduate Applicant Portal. |
| Location | Durham City Palatine Centre Durham DH1 3HP |
Fees
| England | 6900 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 6900 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 6900 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 6900 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 6900 GBP for Year 1 |
| EU | 15200 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 15200 GBP for Year 1 |
Summary
The MA in Medical Humanities is an interdisciplinary MA led by Durham's Institute for Medical Humanities (IMH), and the Department of English Studies. The MA is suitable for students whose undergraduate training is in Anthropology, English, Geography, Law, Modern Languages and Cultures, Philosophy, Sociology, and related disciplines in humanities and social sciences. The MA is also suitable for students from backgrounds in health and social care seeking to bring humanities and social sciences perspectives to bear in their professional practice.
The main aims of the course are to provide a rigorous introduction to the variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to health which make up the critical medical humanities and to equip you to undertake further research into health and human experience in a variety of contexts. The programme offers outstanding interdisciplinary training to equip you with the skills you need for your future career. It is taught by specialists who are members of the IMH, primarily from the Departments of Anthropology, English, Geography, Law, Modern Languages and Cultures, Philosophy, and Sociology.
You will become part of the vibrant research communities both within departments and the IMH. In particular, students become members of the Postgraduate and Early Career Researchers (PGECR) network in Medical Humanities, which organises regular seminars, conferences and social events.
All students on the MA in Medical Humanities take two core modules: Concepts and Frameworks in the Critical Medical Humanities, and Reimagining Health Research (30 credits each, both delivered online). You will also write a dissertation (60 credits), supervised by one of Durham's specialists, which allows you to focus on a specialist topic of your choice in the Medical Humanities. You will also take optional modules from participating Departments to bring your course total to 180 credits (MA). All elements of the MA have embedded within them a range of interdisciplinary content and skills.
| Level | NFQ Level 7 |
|---|
Durham University
- World top 100 University: Joint 89th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
- UK top 10 University: 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and 6th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
- 7th in the Complete University Guide 2025
- World top 30 University for sustainability: 19th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
- 65th in the world in the category of Employer Reputation. QS World University Rankings 2025
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