BMedSc(Hons) Monash-Oxford Bioethics Program

Every year since 2011, between two and five Monash medical students have undertaken BMedSc(Hons) in Bioethics at the Uehiro Oxford Institute. Students are co-supervised by a Monash University supervisor, usually from the Monash Bioethics Centre, and a supervisor from the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics in Oxford. There is a competitive expression of interest (EOI) application process for this prestigious opportunity.

Students who undertake BMedSc(Hons) at Oxford, must also enrol at Oxford University (usually in 1-2 terms of bioethics units), which is very expensive (see 'Cost' section below). However, the work will be primarily research and a high level of independence and maturity are required.

• Flyer
• Contact for further information: med-bmedsc-hons@monash.edu

(NB. To be eligible for this program, students must not be on the ProFESS pathway, or on the academic integrity register, and the Monash Medical School must not have any other concerns about the student's professional behaviour).

2027 entry details (dates and question for EOI coming soon)

Expression of interest documents and ethical question for Monash-Oxford Bioethics BMedSc(Hons)

• The expression of interest should be compiled into a single document and consist of:
  1. A cover letter including a 200-word (maximum) statement about why you want to participate in the Oxford-Monash Bioethics program
  2. A brief CV (maximum 2 pages)
  3. A 1000-word essay response to an ethical question.
     Question for 2027 commencement: In some parts of the world, some ethnic minority groups have better health outcomes than the majority population. For example, Indian subcontinent men have the longest life expectancy among male groups in Scotland.
     What is the ethical significance of this observation for anti-racism in medicine?
• Please name the file: "Surname_Oxford EOI for 2027"
• Expression of interest form
  • EOI Opens: 10am Tuesday May 5th 2026
  • EOI Closes: 11am Monday 25th May 2026
  • Interview Date: During the week beginning June 1st 2026
  • Successful applicants notified by: Friday 5th June 2026

Interviews

During the interview, students will be asked to explain the reasoning in their response to the ethical question.

Successful applicants

If students are successful, they should then progress to submit the project application form and course application.

Costs

In addition to enrolment at Oxford, students will need to take into account costs including travel, accommodation and living expenses; those costs are partially offset by $5000 AUD support from the Faculty and Monash Abroad will cover the cost of travel insurance. However, students should still expect to have significant out-of-pocket expenses if they are accepted into this prestigious program.

Students can also choose to participate in this opportunity while being fully-based at Monash University in Australia (avoiding the additional enrolment fees at Oxford). The $5000 AUD travel grant is only available to students who travel to Oxford.

See the table below for information on the approximate costs to complete the BMedSc(Hons) year at Oxford University if successfully chosen for this opportunity.

Estimated costs 2025*

* Note that these costs are estimates only and could vary considerably depending on inflation, exchange rates and yearly increases in Oxford fees
* Oxford terms are 3 months each