Study ethics abroad

Ethics is a sub-discipline of philosophy that is mainly concerned with the fundamental concepts of right and wrong. It looks closely at how humans and societies tackle issues of morality.

You’ll critically examine the work of renowned theologians and form your own opinions on the ethical dilemmas that have perplexed humans throughout history. You’ll deconstruct some of society’s mainstream ideas in an attempt to understand human belief systems and judgments.

Each country has its own ethical disputes and controversies. By studying abroad, you’ll see how ethical perspectives are shaped by historical and cultural contexts. You’ll be exposed to new questions and problems that will force you to consider fresh viewpoints and angles. You’ll emerge as a more well-rounded, versatile, and empathetic thinker.

Ethics can be studied as a certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degree. One or two-year certificate and associate programs provide students with a comprehensive overview of the field. They’re a great route into entry-level employment or further study.

Ethics is most commonly studied as a BA over three or four years. As part of your program, you’ll be encouraged to complete a placement year where you can put what you’ve learned into practice.

At the undergraduate level, ethics is often studied alongside another subject as part of a joint honors course. Popular pairings include philosophy, psychology, political science, sociology, and psychology.

Once you’ve finished your bachelor’s, you can go on to pursue a postgraduate qualification. An MA usually takes one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. If you want to gain the highest formal qualification possible, a PhD takes around a further 5 years to complete.

Most ethics programs are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, group workshops, and one-to-one tutorials. Assessment methods will vary depending on the module, but you’ll likely complete exams, essays, written assignments, presentations, and group projects.

Ethics programs don’t usually have many compulsory modules, leaving plenty of space for you to choose elective courses that reflect your interests. However, most programs around the world will cover these core areas:

• Ethical theory and moral issues
• Logical and critical thinking
• History of ethical thought
• Social justice and human rights
• Environmental ethics
• Ethics and the health professions
• Bioethics
• Laws and ethics

Businesses and organizations around the world consistently face ethical dilemmas, so your ability to apply logic and sound reasoning will be highly sought after. You’ll graduate with the potential to apply your knowledge and skills across several sectors and job roles, including:

• Ethics and compliance manager
• Lawyer
• HR manager
• Communications officer
• Civil servant
• Healthcare policymaker
• Academic researcher

If you’re finding it tricky to narrow down your career ambitions, have a chat with your University’s careers service. They’ll provide professional and impartial advice to support you on your journey to your dream job.