University of Leicester

What you'll study

This LLM provides a focused programme of study on the intersection of law, ethics and healthcare regulation. Core themes include regulation of health services, medical negligence and liability, consent and capacity, clinical ethics, public health law, reproductive and end-of-life law, human rights in healthcare, and the legal governance of new medical technologies.

• Core options: research methods for law, a substantial independent dissertation (typically 12,000–15,000 words) and an advanced seminar on legal research and writing.
• Specialist modules: topics commonly offered include Health Care Regulation, Law and Ethics of Medicine, Public Health Law, Mental Health Law, Reproductive and End-of-Life Law, and Human Rights and Health.
• Optional modules: students can usually choose modules from related LLM pathways such as administrative and regulatory law, bioethics, comparative health law or data protection as it applies to health information.
• Teaching and assessment: a mix of seminars, lectures, case study workshops and supervised research; assessment typically combines coursework, case notes, essays and the dissertation.
• Study modes: the programme is available full-time and part-time to accommodate early career professionals and those already working in the sector.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a UK second-class honours degree, preferably a 2:1 in law or a related discipline. Candidates with a 2:2 may be considered where they can demonstrate relevant professional experience in health, regulation, policy or legal practice. Graduates with non-law degrees who have taken a conversion course (or equivalent) are also eligible.

International applicants must meet the University's English language requirements; a commonly accepted standard is an overall IELTS score at a level appropriate for postgraduate study with no component below a specified minimum. Additional documentation such as a personal statement and references will normally be required; applicants proposing a dissertation topic may be asked to provide a short research outline.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Health Law LLM go into a wide range of roles where legal knowledge of health systems and ethics is essential. Typical career paths include:

• Legal practice in clinical negligence, regulatory defence or advisory work (including those progressing to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination or Bar training)
• Regulatory and compliance roles in healthcare organisations, pharmaceutical and medical device companies
• Policy, legal and advisory roles in health regulators, NHS bodies, government departments and public health organisations
• Positions on clinical ethics committees, hospital legal departments and patient advocacy organisations
• Research and academic careers in law, bioethics and health policy
• International organisations, NGOs and consultancy specialising in health law, human rights and global public health governance

Why study at University of Leicester

The University of Leicester's Law School offers this LLM within a research-active environment where staff have expertise across health law, medical ethics, regulation and human rights. The programme draws on interdisciplinary links with health and life sciences, enabling students to engage with both legal doctrine and practical ethical issues faced by clinicians and regulators.

Students benefit from small-group seminars, supervised dissertation support and access to the University's library and online resources. The School's emphasis on applied and policy-relevant research, together with a diverse student cohort and flexible study options, makes Leicester a suitable place to develop specialist knowledge that is directly transferable to professional roles in the health and legal sectors.