Global Ethics and Justice (Online)

Entry requirements

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 experience applying ethical theories to real-world situations which will prepare you for a PhD or a rewarding career in international affairs.

We also offer an on-campus programme over 1-2 years. Find out more about the on-campus MSc Global Ethics and Justice.

Course highlights

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.
• Join a diverse online community from around the world. Access virtual learning resources to discuss course content with your fellow students and tutors.

Course delivery

At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Philosophy and Global Ethics.  

• Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation. 
• Delivered via distance learning using the University's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) - all teaching takes place asynchronously. This means the resources are uploaded in advance so you can complete activities and take part in discussions at a time that suits you.  
• 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 on 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.

• 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.