The MA in Health, Cultures and Societies provides an exciting opportunity to explore issues around health, illness, wellbeing, and medicine. The MA provides advanced training in associated methods within a critical practice-oriented framework distinctive to the University and the city of Liverpool.
Matters of health are simultaneously matters of society and culture. This cross-disciplinary MA focuses on Environmental Humanities, Arts and Mental Health and Critical Medical Humanities. The programme is closely linked to the Centre for Health, Medical and Environmental Humanities.
If you enrol for the programme you will benefit from research-connected teaching in a wide range of disciplines, including Archaeology, Anthropology, Classics, English, Geography, History, Law, Literature, Music, Medicine, Psychology, Public Health, and Sociology. The MA in Health, Cultures and Societies prepares you for innovative research within, between and beyond these disciplines.
As a graduate of this MA programme you will have the opportunity to enhance your future employment opportunities by engaging closely with the Centre’s external partners in the Liverpool and Merseyside region through collaborative research, student placements and internships.
The programme aims at offering a flexible and responsive curriculum, which integrates teaching and research. The MA is dedicated to developing confident, well-rounded, and intellectually open students. Its core modules ensure digital fluency, and its outward-facing, international scope helps to develops confident global citizens and future research leaders.
This MA is designed for graduates in arts and humanities, medicine or social sciences, who wish to expand their knowledge in the field of medical and health humanities. The programme is also suitable for intercalating medical students with an interest in this area.
This is the right course for you if you are interested in:
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Students take 60 credits of required modules in Semester one.
Students may also consider taking some optional modules in Semester one. As this would result in a credit-heavy semester, optional modules would need to be discussed and agreed with the Programme Leader in advance.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| RESEARCHING HEALTH, CULTURES AND SOCIETIES (HLAC700) | 40 |
| CRITICAL MEDICAL HUMANITIES (HLAC701) | 20 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Students take 45 credits of required modules and 15 credits of optional modules in Semester two.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| ARTS, MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING (HLAC703) | 20 |
| HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL HUMANITIES (HLAC702) | 20 |
| PROJECT DEVELOPMENT (HLAC704) | 5 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Students then complete the Capstone Project (dissertation) over the summer period.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| CAPSTONE PROJECT (HLAC705) | 60 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching is delivered through 2-hour seminars/workshops that take place weekly on campus. Seminars involve small and whole group critical discussions of issues arising from designated reading material. Seminars also involve collaborative analysis of academic, professional or creative texts (e.g. medical case reports, images of the body in art/medicine).
External partners in the fields of health, policy, arts and culture deliver various seminars and workshops within the programme, enabling students to make connections with relevant organisations in the Liverpool and Merseyside region. The average number of students in seminars varies depending on the module but between 6 and 12 students is the average.
The majority of students’ learning time is in self-directed study and independent research. This will include reading widely in the fields relevant to this subject area, researching appropriate resources in this field, acquainting yourself with relevant theoretical and methodological approaches to health and medicine, and developing individual research ideas.
Seminars/workshops are supported by a Virtual Learning Environment where students are encouraged to explore topics arising from sessions and connections between them and to make use of a bank of online resources.
The assessments in this programme are designed to test knowledge and understanding of the field of medical and health humanities, foster interdisciplinarity and creative reflection, and encourage the translation of academic material for a range of audiences. Module assessments typically include, digital presentations (narrated PowerPoint, blogpost, podcast, wiki, academic journal entry or video-project) and/or a piece of extended writing (practice report, article for academic journal or magazine, philosophical dialogue or visual-literary creative piece). Assessments seek to help students communicate their ideas in an accessible and creative way to both general and academic audiences while honing their digital skills.
During the summer period, students build upon this work to produce a 15,000-20,000 word study – the capstone project – which may take the form of a dissertation, placement report/portfolio or creative project, and students will be encouraged to draw on the rich resources of the Liverpool City Region where appropriate.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
The MA in Health, Cultures and Societies is the master’s programme counterpart to the research and activity of the Centre for Health, Medical and Environmental Humanities. Spanning three faculties, the Centre supports researchers working at the intersections of the natural and social sciences, arts and humanities.
Hear from Dr Morven Siva-Jothy about our Health, Cultures and Societies MA and why we decided to introduce the programme.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
The programme is really flexible and lets me follow my particular interests. The way the teaching is set up means students interact with academics from a variety of faculties and departments across the humanities and social sciences, so one week I’ll be learning from Classics tutors, and the next, from Philosophy. I love the variety and the opportunity to follow my own interests for the assessed work.
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The programme provides academic training appropriate if you are seeking a career in the Higher Education sector. It also enhances graduate employability by engaging with The Centre for Health, Medical and Environmental Humanities’ external partners in the Liverpool and Merseyside region. The MA’s external health and arts partners provide (where feasible) student placements and opportunities for co-delivery of projects.
Graduates will have enhanced skills suitable to a wide range of employment and professional fields, especially where communication, collaborative endeavour, critical thinking and research are key components of the role. The required modules emphasise public-facing thinking and activity (regionally, nationally and internationally) as well as encouraging co-production. They are designed to enhance digital fluency and foster skills such as organisation, teamwork, time management, personal initiative and responsibility which will be transferrable to future work environments within a global context.
In addition to a career in Higher Education, the MA forms a background for careers elsewhere in education as well as in:
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £11,700
Part-time place, per year - £5,850
Full-time place, per year - £24,100
Part-time place, per year - £12,050
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies..
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in a relevant field of study, such as Arts and Humanities, Medicine or Social Sciences. Intercalating medical students may also apply. |
| International qualifications |
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MA, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 overall, with no component below 105 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with no skill below 65 |
| PSI Skills for English | B2 Pass with Merit in all bands |
| INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
| WAEC | C6 or above |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, for further details.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
Programme Lead: Professor Josie Billington
Last updated 8 November 2024 / / Programme terms and conditions