Global Ethics and Justice
Entry requirements
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Philosophy or a relevant subject. This can be a single or joint honours degree containing Philosophy.
If your undergraduate degree is in another subject, you can still apply. We consider every application on its merits, and we’ll consider applicants from diverse academic backgrounds.
We may also require you to submit a writing sample. This should be around 3-4 pages long. Although it does not need to be a Philosophy essay, you should demonstrate your ability to present an argument and write in an analytical style. These skills are necessary for postgraduate level Philosophy.
If you have been out of academia for some time, we will accept a professional reference and one academic reference, rather than the standard requirement for two academic references.
Months of entry
September
Course content
Prepare for your future at the forefront of global justice. Expand your knowledge of key global issues including international trade, climate change and terrorism.
You'll gain practical experience applying ethical theories to real-world situations on the placement module, developing an insight into crucial debates that cross subject boundaries.
We also offer a distance learning programme. Find out more about MSc Global Ethics and Justice by Distance Learning.
You'll learn from our philosophy experts who research across subject boundaries in academic and practical settings. Their specialisms include: health and wellbeing, climate change and the environment, human rights and global justice, war and intervention, bioethics, and gender justice.
- Gain practical experience by taking part in a placement with an organisation of your choice, such as a Non-Government Organisation (NGO).
- Write a practice-based dissertation which responds to real world problems so you can prepare for your future career.
- Learn from philosophy experts who explore current ethical issues and how ethical theories impact our everyday lives.
- 1st Philosophy department in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on Grade Point Average (Times Higher Education).
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Philosophy.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation - you can choose to undertake a 15,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you or you can undertake a practice-based dissertation involving a placement where you produce a practical output for your placement host. You’ll also write a 12,000-word report about your placement.
Please note: You can take both the Global Ethics Placement module and complete a practice-based dissertation, but we would normally expect you to undertake two separate placements in different institutions.
Information for international students
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
Fees and funding
The College of Arts and Law is a vibrant community of students and academics, dedicated to ensuring that excellence is rewarded, and that fears about finance do not constrain current or prospective students. For this reason, in addition to University funding schemes, we offer our own College-specific funding initiatives.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MSc
- flexible36 months
- Online learningis available for this qualification
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- Online learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Postgraduate enquiry service