Maeve Lynch

MA in Medical Law and Ethics

"Having graduated with a genetics degree, I was slightly unsure about my further career plans. However, I did know that I wanted to explore the ethical and legal issues that are associated with science and medicine. I began to investigate the MA in Medical Law and Ethics at Queen Mary. Right from the start, the staff that responded to my enquiries was extremely helpful and encouraging. We were advised to do some reading before the start of the course, but nothing too heavy. The helpful, yet informal correspondence really put me at my ease before beginning the course.

With most of the year already behind me, I hold the course in extremely high esteem. My lecturers are individuals of the highest calibre with a diversity of backgrounds. I really like the informal format of the lectures. We are expected to have read around subjects before class so that we can participate in informal class discussions. After four years of undergraduate studies, it is quite a relief not to be 'talked at' all the time. Everybody is encouraged to participate and I don't think that anybody ever feels that their opinion is insignificant.

I am genuinely amazed at the interest that my lecturers have in me as a person. They are very approachable and in general, respond to emails extremely quickly (one lecturer even responded to me while on holidays)! Any extra work that you do will be reviewed, and such efforts are encouraged. They were very supportive when some students organized a 'moot', and gave up their own spare time to judge the event and come for a few drinks afterwards. In addition, a few of them have supported me in my own extra-curricular pursuits. Any career enquiries I have presented to them have been taken very seriously and they have made every possible effort to point me in the right direction. Overall, I have been pleasantly surprised by how my lecturers treat me as an equal.

Many of my classmates have become firm friends. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds, which include law, science and health practitioners, among others. It is useful to have opinions and expertise from people who have backgrounds in such a wide range of areas. I would also say, as a science graduate, that while you do pick up some law as you go along, there is no need to be scared about the legal aspect of the course. You will just assimilate whatever law you need through whatever subject you study at the time. In any case, there is usually more of a focus on the ethical issues associated with different subjects.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed the year so far. Needless to say, you do need to be self-motivated. If you make a genuine effort, you will be rewarded with the most fantastic support from the teaching staff.