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Master of Medical Humanities

The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.

The Master of Medical Humanities is designed to open up the experiential side of health and illness, as represented in the arts and humanities. The course offers one way of integrating the unique views of the medical world offered by non-medical disciplines such as philosophy, history, art, literature and music. Through this course, many medical humanities students who have previously undertaken science-based courses and not had the opportunity to explore the humanities as they relate to medicine while studying their undergraduate degrees, are now able to pursue their professional and personal interests in this field. The course also provides a way for graduates from non-medical backgrounds to develop their interests in areas where science and the arts intersect.

You will complete core units in medical humanities, which may include study in the areas of ethics and public health, biomedicine and society, philosophy of medicine or core concepts in bioethics. You will also have the opportunity to select from elective units of study from the Faculties of Medicine, Science, Education and Social Work, and Arts. Graduates gain deeper, and often novel insights into medical practice and the ways medicine has shaped experience and culture. Professional development outcomes include enhanced professional skills in communication, clinical interaction and ethics.

Units of study

Full units of study list

Embedded courses

Further course information

Study plan

The Master of Medical Humanities consists of 48 credit points (cp), including at least 36cp from Part 1 of the list of units of study. You may choose a maximum of 12cp of elective units from outside the list of units of study as approved by the course coordinator.

Course outcomes and further study

Graduate opportunities

The Master of Medical Humanities is designed to develop enhanced professional skills in communication, clinical interaction and ethics. Career destinations include non-clinical professional fields in health and medicine, including journalism, media and communications, policy development and deployment, teaching and mentoring positions, and a foundation for an academic pathway in medical humanities.

Further study

Outstanding graduates may be eligible to pursue a higher degree by research in the courses of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy and Master of Surgery (by research) offered by Sydney Medical School. A research degree provides students with the opportunity to prepare a substantial piece of work which represents a significant contribution in a particular field of study; and to gain transferable skills in general research methodology.

Sydney Medical School is affiliated with over 40 independent medical research institutes aimed at achieving medical firsts in specialist areas of health and medicine.
It provides an outstanding environment for postgraduate research. Sydney Medical School's research activities consistently attract high levels of funding from the Commonwealth and state governments, overseas funding agencies and other public and private sources.

Other study options

Sydney Medical School offers a wide range of short professional development courses for health professionals through its clinical schools, disciplines and associated research institutes.

Many of the courses offered are pre-accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME) points, and other courses may be awarded CME points on request to your relevant association or professional body. For further information and a list of courses available please see the Sydney Medical School website http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/future-students/courses/short-courses.php.

How to apply

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications are made directly to the University and assessed by the Faculty.

Admission requirements

A successful applicant for admission to the degree of Master of Medical Humanities requires a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification deemed by the school to be equivalent. In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without this qualification who, in the opinion of the school, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University, or (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent).

Admission requirements

A successful applicant for admission to the degree of Master of Medical Humanities requires a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification deemed by the school to be equivalent. In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without this qualification who, in the opinion of the school, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

Fee disclaimer

Domestic students

*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount

*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount not available for Master of Medical Humanities.

Annual review

Annual review not available for Master of Medical Humanities.

*(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

This 2012 tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are 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, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. 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/international_postgraduate_coursework or http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_research

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, 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.