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Our Programmes

We are proud to offer a new suite of taught postgraduate programmes in the critical medical humanities.

Taught by a team of specialists from across the humanities and social sciences - including individuals working in healthcare and policy settings, activists, and experts by experience - these programmes provide outstanding interdisciplinary training to equip you with the skills that you need for your future career.
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Core modules

All students will undertake two core modules:

  • Concepts and Frameworks in the Critical Medical Humanities, and
  • Reimagining Health Research, a methodologies module.

If enrolled on one of the MA programmes, you will also conduct an independent research project on a specialist topic of your choice.

Programme options

We offer four options to enable you to find the programme which best suits your aims and preferred mode of study:

The MA in Medical Humanities is delivered through a combination of wholly online and face-to-face modules offered in the Durham City campus. In addition to the core modules and dissertation, you can choose from over twenty optional modules in English Studies, Law, Anthropology, Geography, Philosophy, Sociology and Modern Languages and Cultures. 180 credits are completed over 1 year (full-time) or 2 years (part-time).

The MA in Medical Humanities (Online) is delivered as a wholly online and distance learning programme. In addition to the core modules and dissertation, you can choose to study two of three optional modules: Illness and Narrative Practice, Neurodiversity and the Humanities, and Contemporary Issues in Medical Law. 180 credits are completed over 1 year (full-time) or 2 years (part-time).

The Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Humanities is delivered as a wholly online and distance learning programme. In addition to the core modules, you can choose to study two of three optional modules: Illness and Narrative Practice, Neurodiversity and the Humanities, and Contemporary Issues in Medical Law. 120 credits are completed over 9 months (full-time) or 18 months (part-time).

The Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Humanities is delivered as a wholly online and distance learning programme. In addition to the core modules, you can choose to study two of three optional modules: Illness and Narrative Practice, Neurodiversity and the Humanities, and Contemporary Issues in Medical Law. 60 credits are completed over 6 months (part-time).

A Sense of Community

All postgraduate medical humanities students will be welcomed into the vibrant research communities of the Institute for Medical Humanities (IMH) and affiliated Departments.

You will be assigned an advisor from the programme’s teaching staff to support you in selecting your modules, accessing the wide range of learning resources offered by the University and identifying an appropriate dissertation topic and supervisor. The Institute’s Postgraduate and Early Career Researchers (PGECR) network in Medical Humanities organises regular seminars, conferences and social events, including online events.

Entry Requirements

This suite of programmes has been designed to welcome graduates from across the humanities and social sciences, intercalating medical students and individuals with professional experience or career aspirations in clinical, policy or other health-related settings.

All applicants will be invited to an interview so that you will have an opportunity to meet us, to tell us what you’re interested in and what you will bring to your chosen course, and to let us know what you need from our team in order to thrive.

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