The LLM in Biotechnology Law and Ethics is a unique course in the UK, based in the law school but drawing on research at the forefront of the biosciences conducted in centres of excellence at the University of Sheffield in stem cell biology, biomaterials and tissue engineering, synthetic biology, computational systems biology and nanotechnology. The focus is on emerging legal and ethical issues in the discovery chain from the lab to the clinic and includes topics such as genetic choice, genetic privacy, human rights and justice in research, access to health, intellectual property and patents. Students are required to take a total of 180 credits, made up of core modules in semester 1 and 2, a broad choice of other modules and a research based dissertation.

Beyond the integrated complement of modules offered by this programme, Sheffield's Research Institute for Biotechnological Law and Ethics (SIBLE), acts as a forum for exchange of ideas between bioscientists, lawyers, bioethicists, policy makers and the biotech industry through regular seminars and conferences.

Staff at the School of Law are engaged in cutting edge multidisciplinary research on the interface between biolaw, bioethics and the biomedical sciences supported by awards from prestigious research councils including the Medical Research Council, the European Commission and the Wellcome Trust. Students at Sheffield will join one of the global elite universities in the world. Sheffield graduates have gone on to pursue a variety of distinguished careers in the life-sciences field in national, European and international organisations throughout the world.

Meet the team

You will be taught by leading academics in the School of Law who are themselves in research addressing the interface between biolaw, bioethics and the biomedical sciences.

Find out more about our academics teaching on the programme

Teaching and assessment

Teaching on this programme is modular and pre-dominantly seminar based with leading academics facilitating discussions around the module subject.

The programme is assessed by essay and a final dissertation.

Find out more about the programme structure

Focus on your future

This programme could take you through to a variety of fascinating work in life sciences, in NGOs, in biobanking and in the biotech industry. Depending on your background you could be of value in the fields of law, science and development, or policy making.

What are our graduates doing?

Many of our graduates have moved on into fantastic careers, read what they thought about the Masters in Biotechnology Law and Ethics and what they are now doing.

What our graduates say