APPLIED AND

PROFESSIONAL
ETHICS
Online Masters and
Postgraduate Diploma Degrees
Full-time and Part-time
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CONTENTS
Applied and
Professional Ethics........................... 2
About the Course............................. 5
Why study Ethics?............................ 6
Online Distance
Learning.......................................... 7
Welcome
In today’s rapidly changing world it is more important than ever
that we reflect on the ethical implications of our actions, both
personally and professionally. Here at the IDEA Centre at the
University of Leeds we seek to work closely with students and
professionals to develop ethical reasoning skills which can be
applied in any context. Our academic expertise, combined with
our experience working directly with professionals in a range of
fields (including accountancy, finance and banking, business,
engineering and computing, and medicine and health care),
makes us uniquely placed to deliver high quality academically
rigorous and professionally relevant courses in applied and
professional ethics.

Teaching and Studying for a postgraduate qualification in ethics will enable

Assessment..................................... 9
Applications and
Further Information.........................11
you to develop transferable skills such as critical thinking,
communication, and ethical reasoning. Such skills will equip you
for professional development and progression in a wide range
of careers. We offer a range of flexible study options so you can
study in the mode that suits you best.

Professional Ethics We hope that you will find all the information that you need
Short Course................................. 12 about our programmes in this brochure. If you have any further
questions please do get in touch.

Research....................................... 13 Professor Chris Megone

IDEA Centre Director

“I took this course because I wanted to be challenged by

people who perhaps have a different outlook on life than
myself. I can attest that this is exactly what has transpired and
I enjoy the critical analysis of my work just as much as being
able to seek clarification from others regarding their views of
the world and ethical issues.”
DAN WILSON, UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES – INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION.
MA APPLIED AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS 2012.

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APPLIED AND
PROFESSIONAL
ETHICS
Postgraduate qualification
by online distance learning
This course is designed to help people in business, the The Applied and Professional Ethics course will introduce you
professions, and the public and third sectors to develop skills to a wide range of topics, while also helping you to develop
and knowledge that can help them effectively engage with the skills necessary to write a dissertation project on a topic of
ethical issues in their working lives. The course is taught entirely your choosing. Subjects covered on the course include ethics
online, making it particularly appropriate for those in full-time in leadership, consent and contracts, justice, professional
employment or resident overseas, who wish to gain a qualification responsibility, privacy and confidentiality, and issues in business
from a leading university without interrupting their career. and environmental ethics.

You will be taught by academics from the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics The course is particularly suitable as continuing professional
Applied (IDEA) Centre at the University of Leeds with expertise development (CPD), and most of our students study part-time
in teaching applied and professional ethics. Our teaching is whilst working (the course can also be taken on a full-time basis).
developed in consultation with professionals working in a range of
fields to ensure that it is informed by the latest developments in
practice. As active researchers, we also ensure that all our courses
are informed by the latest academic arguments and debates.

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 “The content and delivery of the MA materials are
superb, with reading and reflective questions that
foster engagement and create opportunities to see
the relevance to one’s own professional field.”
ROB BAKER, DENTAL EDUCATION ADVISER. MA APPLIED AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS 2012.
Who is this course for?
The course offers opportunities for those hoping to develop their
career in any field. The ethical reasoning skills that you will gain
are valuable in all areas of professional life. The course attracts
students from a wide range of backgrounds including:
n Law n Veterinary science
n Engineering n Education
n Actuarial finance n Policing and security
n Dentistry n Environmental
n Public sector organisations management
n Medicine
n Business
n International development n Investment and finance
n Ethics and compliance n Public health
Ethics in practice
Throughout the course you will make use of case studies
drawn from a range of professional backgrounds, including
business, finance and the computer industry; engineering and
environmental work; and the public and third sectors. These
case studies are informed by our consultancy and training
activity which we carry out for a number of professional bodies.
This consultancy and training forms part of a range of professional
services for businesses and public bodies offered by the Centre.
We recognise that whilst codes of conduct and corporate social
responsibility policies offer guidance on how to behave, they
cannot govern all situations and contingencies.
Our approach, both in our professional training
and in our postgraduate teaching, is designed to
enable people in all kinds of professions to effectively
respond to ethically challenging situations:
n A friend in need asks you for advice.
You can help, but only by using confidential information
about a client. What do you do?
n Your organisation is working with a partner about whose ethical
practices you have significant concerns. What do you do?
n Several colleagues in your department are over-claiming
expenses. Do you speak to them and try to resolve the
situation, or go to someone else?
We will consider general professional dilemmas such as these,
as well as cases from a range of professional fields, throughout
the course.
Study wherever
you are in the world
Our international cohort includes students based in countries
all over the world, including:
n Europe (UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, Greece, France)
n North America (USA, Canada, Barbados)
n Asia (India, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore)
n Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi,
Nigeria, Uganda)
n South America (Columbia)
As a member of this varied group you will join in rich discussion
and will have the opportunity to share and learn from a wide
range of experiences and cultural perspectives.
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ABOUT THE COURSE
Course Structure Full-time Study
This modular course may be studied full-time within one year, Full-time students undertake all the taught modules and the
or part-time, usually over two years. dissertation within one academic year, generally commencing
the dissertation study in the second part of the year.

Part-time Study
In the first year you will undertake six modules (90 credits)
Postgraduate Diploma
which provide grounding in the discipline and an introductory The diploma is awarded for satisfactory completion of the eight
examination of a wide range of topics which you may wish to taught modules. It is University policy that students lacking a
pursue in more depth in your dissertation. first degree are normally registered for the diploma in the first
instance, with a view to upgrading to the masters programme at
In the second year there are two further taught modules (30 the end of the first three modules, subject to satisfactory progress. 
credits). However the second year is predominantly devoted
to the writing of the dissertation (60 credits). This allows you
to examine in depth a subject of your own choice, which
can relate to your professional or workplace practice, under
individual supervision.

You will also have the opportunity to replace one of the final five
taught modules with a project module, in which you undertake
a piece of detailed research in an area that interests you, again
giving you the opportunity to explore a topic relating to your
professional or workplace practice.

At all stages you will have ready access to tutors for advice
regarding your progress and the pacing of work so as to cope
satisfactorily with the problems that crop up for students who
are working and studying.

“The programme has given me a much broader perspective

than I might have had otherwise on what it means in practice
to manage (or lead) in an ethical and responsible manner.”
OLIVER MANSELL, GOVERNANCE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS OFFICER.
PGDIP APPLIED AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS 2012.

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WHY STUDY ETHICS?
A postgraduate qualification in applied ethics from the
University of Leeds will help you to stand out from the crowd,
demonstrating to employers that you are able to analyse
arguments, reason and express yourself clearly. Studying applied “This course will definitely
ethics will develop you both personally and professionally, and
will enable you to respond effectively to the ethical challenges help me in my career,
that arise during your working life. Postgraduate study in applied
ethics enables you to gain a thorough understanding of ethical
both from the knowledge
theory and how it applies to real-life situations. learnt during the course
which can be applied
Continuing directly in my professional
Professional life and from gaining the
Development qualification itself.”
Studying applied ethics offers opportunities to those hoping
SELINA CONNELL, UN FOOD AND
to develop their career in any profession. The ethical reasoning AGRICULTURAL OFFICE, ROME. MA
skills that you gain are valuable in all areas of professional APPLIED AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS 2012.
and working life.

The Applied and Professional Ethics course focuses on ethical

issues in the workplace, and so offers significant benefits to
those in a range of professional fields:
n More confidence in handling workplace decisions with
ethical implications.
Graduate
Destinations
n Improved critical thinking and written communication skills.
n A qualification from a leading university, which can be
gained while working.
and Career
n Knowledge of and ability to dissect a wide-range of
ethical issues. Opportunities
n The option of carrying out a workplace-related project Studying applied ethics is good preparation for a range of
of your choice, which can reflect on and inform your careers, and past students have gained employment in a varied
organisation’s ethics policy. range of employment sectors after graduation. In particular
many of our graduates are looking to develop their career in
roles related to corporate social responsibility or compliance.

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ONLINE DISTANCE
LEARNING
The Applied and Professional Ethics course is taught by online
distance learning, making it particularly appropriate if you are
in full-time employment or resident overseas, and wish to gain
a qualification from a leading university without interrupting
your career.
The course is delivered entirely over the web, using the
University of Leeds’ Virtual Learning Environment (VLE),
which is both user-friendly and provides tools that allow you
to learn in cooperation with other students. You can be
resident anywhere in the world, as long as you have access
to the internet, and you can complete your studies at any time
to fit in with work and other activities.

You will have access to high-quality interactive course

“Although it is online, I do materials, designed specifically for online teaching, which will

not feel isolated from other accompany carefully chosen readings. As well as this, you
will participate in structured collaborative activities, which are
students because of the intended to produce the debate and discussion that are vital for
successfully studying ethics.
online discussions. The
ability to study when I You will also receive support from academic staff, who
both participate in online discussion groups and respond
want to or have the time to students’ queries by email. In addition, you will have the
support of the Centre’s Online Learning Specialists, as well as
makes it more likely that our Student Education Service staff, who will be able to help
you with any other issues you may encounter.
I study when I am in the
right frame of mind. This is Benefits of Online
not always the case when Distance Learning
you have to physically n You can study in your own time, fitting work around your
attend lectures. Although career and other responsibilities.
There is no need to attend Leeds at any point during the
some of the material is n
course (although there may be opportunities to meet other
quite challenging, it is students for those able and willing to travel).
You will benefit from teaching materials designed specifically
broken down in ways that
n
for the web, which you can either read on-screen or print off

make it accessible.”
MARIA MCCABE, INTERNATIONAL TUTOR.
MA APPLIED AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS 2012.
n
to read anywhere.
You will participate in carefully structured online discussions,
working collaboratively with other students.
n You will have access to high quality electronic resources,
such as journals and e-books, through the University
Library. All essential course readings are made available
electronically, saving you both time and money.

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Be part of our community
We work hard to ensure that our distance learning students are
just as much a part of our community as our campus-based
students. This begins before registration through access to
our Prepare for Study website, which will help you to get ready
to study successfully online. You will also benefit from our
pioneering two-week online induction at the start of the course,
which is designed to ease the transition into online study, and
to give you time to get to know each other, and for us to get to
know you. Working through carefully designed activities, you
will have the opportunity to:
n Familiarise yourself with the VLE and the learning tools
that we will be using during the programme.
n Begin to develop some of the key skills needed during
the programme.
n Solve any initial technical or access difficulties.
n Familiarise yourself with the course structure,
timetable and assessment details.
Further ways to get involved
As well as participating in the online course discussions and
group activities, students are encouraged to communicate with
each other socially, and to participate in the online research
activities associated with the Centre. Where possible we
make recordings of our research seminars and conferences
available online, and we also run some research sessions as
online webinar sessions. You are welcome to attend any of our
research events in person, and are encouraged to participate in
our Professional Ethics Network.
Stay in touch
Our alumni are a valuable part of our community, and are
encouraged to continue to take part in the Centre’s activities.
Our Facebook page and LinkedIn groups provide an easy way
for current students and alumni to stay in touch and build
professional networks.

Throughout the course you will be supported by a personal

tutor, and by the Centre’s dedicated Online Learning Specialists.
There will be regular opportunities to communicate in real time
with fellow students through online webinar sessions using
Blackboard Collaborate.

“…The support that underpins the programme is first class. I

consistently felt that I was part of a supportive community of
learners who could and did learn from each other and that
with each stepping stone in the programme my confidence,
competence and enjoyment was enhanced.”
JOHN CUMMINGS, RETIRED POLICE SUPERINTENDENT, PGDIP APPLIED AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS 2013.

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TEACHING AND
ASSESSMENT
Each module is broken up into eight teaching units. In each
unit you will be guided through specially developed teaching
notes, carefully selected readings, and a number of individual
and group exercises (including online discussion). Each
module ends with a live online group discussion session
with the module leader.
Course Content
Core Modules
INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS
This module introduces some of the central concerns that
are prominent in ethical discussion. We consider a range of
philosophical approaches to these matters, and consider how
they relate to one another, or differ.
PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
This module introduces the concept of professional ethics,
and introduces core topics related to it, including trust, honesty
and integrity. The central question that we address is that of
whether professional ethics is distinctive: is it just ethics, but
focusing on professions, or is the role of being a professional
ethically significant in its own right, such that it is not
possible to really engage with professional ethics without first
considering what it is to be a professional?
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AGENTS, VIRTUE AND RESPONSIBILITY
This module seeks to understand what is involved in assessing
people and their responsibilities, and how these assessments
can be justified. For example, when assessing people and
their characters, we might ask whether a candidate for a job is
sufficiently honest, impartial, or sensitive to perform the role well.
Equally, when someone asks for a pay rise, or faces disciplinary
action or criminal prosecution, it makes sense to ask whether they
deserve it. We also consider the suggestion that an organisation’s
culture can breed virtues of cooperation, transparency and
honesty on the one hand, or can breed corruption, secrecy and
self-interest on the other, and look at the ethics of leadership.
Optional Modules
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
This module focuses on ethical issues relating to privacy and
confidentiality, addressing the topics both from a theoretical
viewpoint, and also considering problems in applied ethics
where considerations of privacy and/or confidentiality are
central. This includes questions such as how the right to
privacy should be understood, and how far it extends; whether
some people give up their right to privacy (by becoming
celebrities, for example); whether confidentiality should be
limited or absolute; and how approaches to privacy and
confidentiality differ across professional domains.
CONSENT AND CONTRACTS
This module explores the role of consent and contract in
creating and explaining obligations or rights, looking especially at
employment contracts and exploitation. We also consider whether
and why private individuals and corporations have an obligation
to obey the law and comply with the state institutions that
regulate so much of our lives and restrict many of our actions.
JUSTICE: FAIRNESS, EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
This module explores what justice requires and so what a
just society should look like, in terms of how it distributes its
resources and the rights it recognises and upholds. Different
accounts place different demands on individuals, institutions
and corporations in terms of restricting the pursuit of their
interests or activities, and rights over their assets. This will
involve looking at the role of interests, harms and benefits in
grounding moral claims or justifications for breaching rights,
including what is often called the public interest.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
This module examines a series of debates in environmental
ethics. It is now a widely held view that individuals have some
obligation to live in an environmentally-friendly way and that
governments and nations ought to be tackling the challenges
of environmental degradation and global warming. It is widely
(although not universally) accepted within the business
community that businesses have some obligation to limit
environmental harm caused by their operations, but rarer to ask
why this claim is true (if it is). We consider the question of how
organisations and governments should balance environmental
concerns against other types of concern, such as convenience,
cost and so on.
BUSINESS ETHICS
This module will examine issues such as the relationship
between the nature of business and ethics in business;
different approaches to business ethics, such as stockholder
and stakeholder theories; and the nature and extent of
Corporate (Social) Responsibility to individuals, communities,
and the environment. We also address issues of fairness or
justice in the supply chain; hiring and firing; equality and
diversity; responsible marketing practices; and ethical issues
arising in international business.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS PROJECT
This module can replace one of the other optional modules. It
allows you to work with a tutor to develop a detailed research
project on any topic in the field of applied and professional
ethics. You are encouraged to choose something closely related
to your experience in the workplace or professional practice.
DISSERTATION (MASTERS PROGRAMME ONLY)
Students on the full Masters programme complete a dissertation
project of 12,000 words on a topic of their choice in applied and
professional ethics, supported by a research supervisor.
Assessment
As an online student you will not be required to
take any examinations. Most of your assessment
will be written coursework assignments and
essays. You will have the opportunity to discuss
each piece of coursework with a tutor before
submission, and will receive detailed feedback
on your work.
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APPLICATIONS
AND FURTHER
INFORMATION
Entry Requirements
While some students who come on the course have
already studied philosophy formally, previous study of
philosophy is not a requirement. The course is designed
for those coming to the study of ethics or professional
ethics for the first time.
Candidates should normally be graduates or holders of
an equivalent qualification. Where a candidate is not a
graduate, relevant professional experience is taken into
account. The key attributes sought are a willingness
and ability to think through problems in a reasoned and
independent way. Those who enrol on the course will be
given advice on preparatory readings.
How to Apply
Applications are made using the University’s online
application system. Applicants must provide two
references and a writing sample in addition to the
University online application form.
There is no formal deadline for receipt of applications,
but if you wish to start next September then we strongly
encourage you to submit your completed application
and supporting documents by July 31st.
For the latest information on applying for this course,
including details of scholarships and other financial
support, visit: www.idea.leeds.ac.uk/maape  

Applicants for whom English is not their first language

need to meet the University’s minimum requirements
for English language proficiency. For full details of the
University’s policy on English language requirements,
including details of exemptions and a full list of
acceptable qualifications, please see the University’s
Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy.

It is University policy that students lacking a first degree

are normally registered for the postgraduate diploma
in the first instance, with a view to upgrading to the
masters programme where appropriate, and subject to
satisfactory progress.

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PROFESSIONAL
ETHICS SHORT
COURSE
For those who are unable to commit to
a full masters course we are pleased “The short course was a valuable
to be able to offer a short course in introduction to what it means to
Professional Ethics. be a professional – and how to
think about ethical decisions in
Comprising one module (Professional Issues 1) from the this context. I found it particularly
MA Applied and Professional Ethics, the course generates enlightening regarding the place
15 credits at postgraduate level. Students who successfully
complete the course can then submit these credits for credit
of compliance activities within the
transfer should they go on to apply for the full MA programme. broader context of professional
ethics, and it provided a real
The course is studied over 8 weeks, and is delivered entirely appreciation of what compliance
online via the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). alone cannot achieve – and why.
You will get to work collaboratively with other students from
The course was well thought out
around the world.
and guided you effectively through
Particularly suitable as Continuing Professional Development, the subject. Reference materials
the course explores some of the key ethical issues that face were excellent and the course
professionals across all industries and sectors throughout their tutors were very supportive.
working lives.
The short course was also great
preparation for the full MA, because
WHY DOES TRUST MATTER? it introduced you to the depth of
WHAT IS IT TO HAVE INTEGRITY? thinking required by the subject,
WHEN SHOULD YOU BLOW THE WHISTLE? and the practicalities of undertaking
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A CODE OF ETHICS? the course online (and part-time).”
WHAT ARE THE ETHICS OF TEAM-WORKING? CAROL LORD, INTERNATIONAL IT AUDIT AND
RISK CONSULTANT, PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
These are the kinds of questions you will explore SHORT COURSE 2014/15, MA APPLIED AND
during the course. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS 2015/16.

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RESEARCH

We have an active and growing research

community including staff and PhD
students whose interests span applied,
normative and meta ethics.
Regular research activities include:
n Conferences and workshops.
n Inter-disciplinary research seminars, in which academics
from a broad range of disciplines present papers in applied
ethics, or talk about ethics as it applies to their area of
research.
n Fortnightly reading group in applied ethics.
n Research seminars and events hosted by the Centre for
Ethics and Metaethics in the School of Philosophy, Religion,
and History of Science (PHRS).
PhD Opportunities:
IDEA welcomes applications for PhD study.
The Centre can provide a broad base of
supervisory expertise in applied ethics,
broadly construed. The Centre’s postgraduate
researchers are registered in the School of
Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science
(PRHS), and enquiries should be made to
prhs_pgenquiries@leeds.ac.uk

Our applied research uses academic approaches to answer

questions of relevance to industry and the professions. For
example we have recently published a report: “Real Integrity:
Practical Solutions for Organisations Seeking to Promote Integrity”
commissioned by the Institute for Chartered Accountants
in England and Wales, and with the University’s Centre for
Innovation in Health Management (CIHM), we produced a
National Inquiry into Ethical Decision Making in the NHS.

Our recent research projects include an AHRC-funded project

on Climate Change, Ethics and Responsibility.

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About the
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is part of the Russell group of
research-led universities, and one of the older traditional
universities in the UK. It is a leading international centre for
research and learning. As a student at the University you
will have access to the University Library’s impressive online
collection, including journals and e-books.

About the
Inter-Disciplinary The Centre has experience teaching applied ethics in a wide
Ethics Applied Centre range of subject areas:
n Biological Sciences
In 2005 the University was awarded £2.6 million by the
Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) n Business
to fund a national Centre for Excellence in Teaching and n Computing
Learning (CETL). n Dentistry
n Engineering
Our main aim is to help students, professionals and employees
to identify, analyse and respond effectively to the ethical issues n Environment
they encounter in their disciplines and their working lives. We n Geography & Transport
carry out teaching and research in applied ethics, and offer n Medicine
training and consultancy to professionals, businesses and
n Media & Communication
public bodies. Our activities seek to raise the profile of ethics,
not just at the University of Leeds but throughout higher n Nanotechnology
education and professional life. n Sport & Exercise Sciences
n Translation Studies

Other Study If you have any queries or questions please contact:

Opportunities Postgraduate Admissions

Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied (IDEA) Centre
The Centre has a number of other taught courses, including: BA University of Leeds
(intercalated), MA (campus and online, and intercalated), MRes Leeds
(campus and online) Biomedical and Health Care Ethics, as well LS2 9JT
as opportunities for PhD study. We also offer short course study Phone: +44 (0)113 343 7799
opportunities for those unable to commit to a full course. E-mail: admissions@idea.leeds.ac.uk

To find out more about our work, please visit the website: For the latest information please visit the course website:
www.idea.leeds.ac.uk www.idea.leeds.ac.uk/maape

15
If you have any queries or questions please contact:
Postgraduate Admissions
Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied (IDEA) Centre
University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT
Phone: +44 (0)113 343 7799
E-mail: admissions@idea.leeds.ac.uk

For the latest information please visit the course website:

www.idea.leeds.ac.uk/maape

University of Leeds
Leeds, United Kingdom
LS2 9JT
Tel. 0113 243 1751
www.leeds.ac.uk