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Medical and Health Humanities

MA

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • One year full-time, online

  • One year full-time, flexible learning

  • Two years part-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, online

  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

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, which hosts events, workshops and panel discussions, and provides funding for student-led initiatives.
    • You will be able to tailor the course to your academic interests, career aspirations or personal passions, choosing 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, then the Medical and Healthcare Professional Pathway through this course allows you to develop a deeper understanding of the patient experience, medical ethics and cultural perceptions of health and illness. By engaging with literature, visual culture, history and philosophy you will gain critical skills in communication and ethical decision-making, all of which are essential for leadership and innovation in healthcare. 

    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 on this course through lectures, seminars and workshops. You will also 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.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One to two evenings a week, October to July.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    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.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • This course grows out of Birkbeck’s Centre for Medical and Health Humanities, an interdisciplinary and cross-College research group that brings together academics and students of all levels to work on issues both critical and clinical. 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 held in our in-house cinema during Birkbeck’s annual Arts Week.
  • Our central London location places you close to the British Library and Wellcome Collection, both major hubs for medical and health humanities research.
  • All Master's students are eligible to apply for our prestigious Eric Hobsbawm Scholarships, subject to availability. One of the most influential historians of the twentieth century, Eric Hobsbawm taught at Birkbeck for over five decades and embodied what is central to our teaching and research: a continued commitment to critical enquiry and public engagement. We also offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.
  • Birkbeck has a number of institutes specifically designed to foster work across disciplines: Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image, Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, Birkbeck Institute for Social Research, Birkbeck Gender and Sexuality and Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism. These institutes are driven by the work of world-class scholars including Laura Mulvey, Slavoj Žižek, Lynne Segal and David Feldman.

Modules and Teaching

School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication

The school's teaching and research is highly interdisciplinary, spanning cultures and periods. Academic and practice-based study will equip you for a career in the creative and cultural industries.

Visit the school

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in an arts, humanities or social sciences subject.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

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Fees

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MA Medical and Health Humanities, you will have gained an array of important 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 or fluent critical arguments.

Graduates can pursue career paths in a wide range of different fields, including in:

  • medicine
  • academia
  • research
  • publishing
  • journalism
  • healthcare education or administration
  • community health
  • education
  • law.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Study routes for Medical and Health Humanities (MA)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time