Graduate Certificate in Bioethics
The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.
Bioethics is concerned with ethical questions that arise in the contexts of biological and health sciences. Social concern about such issues has grown with the advancement of biomedical and reproductive technologies, genetic engineering, cloning and stem cell research.
Completion of this Graduate Certificate program can be used as credit towards a Graduate Diploma or Masters degree.
Units of study
Full units of study list
- BETH5000 - Core Concepts in Bioethics
- BETH5101 - Introduction to Ethical Reasoning
- BETH5102 - Philosophy of Medicine
- BETH5103 - Biomedicine and Society
- BETH5104 - Bioethics,Law and Society
- BETH5201 - Ethics and Biotech: Genes and Stem Cells
- BETH5202 - Human and Animal Research Ethics
- BETH5203 - Ethics and Public Health
- BETH5204 - Clinical Ethics
- BETH5205 - Ethics and Mental Health
Further course information
Study plan
Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics complete 24 credit points made up of one core unit of study on the Core concepts in Bioethics (6cp), two foundational units of study (12cp) and one elective unit of study (6cp). Study is available on a full time or part time basis. Full time study can be completed over the course of 1 semester, with all 4 units being taken that semester, or studies can be spread out over 2 semesters part time. Your individual study plan will depend on the availability of particular units in a given semester.
Graduate opportunities
Bioethicists work in medicine, nursing, allied health, pharmacy, dentistry, public health, health law, health and public policy, science communication and related fields.
How to apply
Domestic students
How to apply
Applications are made directly to the University and assessed by the Faculty.
Admission requirements
Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics requires a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification in the field of science, medicine, nursing, allied health sciences, philosophy/ethics, sociology, anthropology, history, law or other relevant field.
International students
How to apply
Overseas applicants may apply (a) directly to the University, or (b) through a University overseas representative (education agent).
Admission requirements
Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics requires a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification in the field of science, medicine, nursing, allied health sciences, philosophy/ethics, sociology, anthropology, history, law or other relevant field.
Fee disclaimer
Domestic students
*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount
*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount not available for Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.
Annual review
Annual review not available for Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.
*(2)Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
This 2012 tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.
Annual review
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental fees
For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.
The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents
International students
International tuition fees for postgraduate students
International tuition fees for postgraduate students not available for Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.
Annual review
Annual review not available for Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.
Additional incidental fees and health insurance
Additional incidental fees and health insurance not available for Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.
Potential for inaccuracy
Potential for inaccuracy not available for Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.