Please see our Ethics and Philosophy of Medicine Brochure

In the Ethics and Philosophy of Medicine course, we explore key philosophical aspects of contemporary medicine. We begin with an introduction to western philosophy that focuses of key schools of thought such as virtue theory, deontology and consequentialism. We look at how these theoretical foundations relate to healthcare settings, and how we can use critical thought to identify and think through contemporary issues. Through a series of interactive seminars led by eminent speakers and rising stars within the field of bioethics, we question, for example, what is health; who do we consider a person; how do we determine values? We then apply these theoretical ethical issues to healthcare context while also inducting course participants in the elements of constructing good philosophical arguments. We will draw upon theories from philosophy, clinical cases from our practices and from the media, and seminal legal cases to demonstrate the live ethical and more broadly philosophical challenges of medicine and healthcare today. The course and examination both give ample scope for participants to develop their own interests in the field.

Course Director, Ethics and Philosophy of Medicine Course

Mr Peter Young, M.Bioethics

Course Information
Click here - Full Programme 2024-25

Ethics and Philosophy Course Insights 2024-25- with Peter Young, Course Director

Course Information

The 2024-25 course runs across 15 Saturdays from 5 October 2024- 7 June 2025. 

When meeting in-person,  the lectures are usually given at Apothecaries’ Hall, London, a City of London Livery Company Hall which dates from the seventeenth century, whilst seven of the course days take place remotely via Zoom and can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

Applications to the course are open until 30 November 2024. Book your place now to take advantage of a price freeze during our early bird window until midnight, 31 August.

Click here to book your place now 

Payment is exclusively completed online, and instructions will be provided to ensure a smooth transaction. Once payment is made, you will be guided through steps to create an account on our e-learning platform and to complete an application form to outline your experience and tell us your interests within the field.

Course fees for 2024-25  

Full price: £1100*

Student Price: £660*
Student rates apply to those registered on a full or part time undergraduate, postgraduate or other course of study as of 1 October 2024. You will be asked to provide proof of enrolment in your application form.

Course drop-in fee: £100
Alternatively, why not 'drop-in' to attend a selected day from the programme you are interested in attending for the standalone fee of £100? (maximum 3 days per year). Email us for more details. Terms and conditions apply.

* Fees are subject to a minimum 5% increase from 1 September 2024

The Diploma in Philosophy of Medicine (DPMSA)

Some students may wish to sit the Diploma examination (DPMSA). Students are eligible to take the exam up to three years after completing the course.

Eligibility, application and fees for the diploma examination are run separately by the Examinations Office; details can be obtained here.

Exam Bursaries Criteria

1. 10 examination bursaries are offered to medical and dental students at UK higher education institutions (HEIs) who are either current students on the main WSAL history and philosophy courses (DHMSA or DPMSA) or who have completed the course in the last 3 years.
2. Bursaries are allocated on a first come/served basis (with priority given to current students for that year’s allocation) until the due date of the formative essay in philosophy (this being the first necessary deadline for entry to the exam in a given year) or, for history, the deadline for receipt in the Examinations Office of the titles and proposal/abstract for the dissertation and test lecture. In addition, if the examination is deferred or bursaries are not taken up they may be rolled over into the subsequent two years until used.
3. Furthermore, the Executive Committee (EC) will, with sufficient notice (prior to the deadlines specified), consider exceptional requests from undergraduates in relevant disciplines or professions. The relevance will be determined by the EC whose decisions will be final and not the setting of a precedent. (The Executive Committee may elect to expand this to students of other healthcare disciplines at UK HEIs or other students in fields connected to history and philosophy in the future.)