Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Lifelong Learning in Master's Degree in International Bioethics and Healthcare Professionalism

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  • Presentation
  • Curriculum
  • Facilities
  • Professional Career
  • Information sessions
  • Admission process
  • Prices, grants and financial aid
  • International mobility

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Type of programme
Lifelong Learning Master's Degree
Campus
Online
Duration
From October to June
Credits
60 ECTS
Language
Spanish
Places
30
Modality
Semipresencial
Reasons why

Reason why

  1. Dr Luis Vivanco

    Directed by lead researcher of the Bioethics and Medical Education Platform at the Biomedical Research Centre of La Rioja (CIBIR). Director of the UNESCO Regional Centre for Documentation and Information in Bioethics / National Centre for Documentation in Bioethics (CNB), based in Logroño (Spain). 3 – 4 – 

  2. Hybrid Mode

    Lifelong Learning Master's Degree in an asynchronous format, with two immersive in-person weeks – one at the end of each semester – which may be attended either at UIC Barcelona or at the University of Piura, Peru.

  3. Multidisciplinary master’s degree

    Aimed at professionals in the healthcare field or those working in care, research, or training within clinical or clinical-educational settings. 

  4. Participating institutions

    - Center for Documentation and Information in Bioethics / National Center for Documentation in Bioethics (CNB), Fundación Rioja Salud, Spain.

    - Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Spain.

    - University of Piura (UDEP)*, Peru. (*In progress)

Figures list

International Lifelong Learning Master's Degree in Bioethics and Healthcare Professionalism

At UIC Barcelona, we tailor bioethics education to global challenges through an interdisciplinary approach that boosts your competencies and skills. 

1
Academic Year
2
Immersive on-site weeks
30
Places available
Testimonials

They explain it to you

Dr. Luis Vivanco
Dr. Luis Vivanco
Director of the Master’s Degree
The aim of the International Master’s Degree in Bioethics and Healthcare Professionalism, organised by UIC Barcelona and the University of Piura, is to shape professionals capable of integrating ethical reasoning into clinical practice, research and health management. Its interdisciplinary and international focus promotes critical thinking, integrity and a commitment to society. It places patient care at the heart of the programme, combining technical excellence and ethical commitment in real contexts of vulnerability and clinical decision-making.

Presentation

Body

In the healthcare field, professionalism refers to the set of competencies and skills that characterise optimal professional performance within the framework of healthcare provision.

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Objectives

  1. The programme provides a robust theoretical and practical foundation for decisionmaking in bioethics, as applied to clinical care, research, and healthcare and social care management.  
  2. It offers comprehensive knowledge of the biolegal framework and current regulations governing clinical, care-related, and research bioethics.  
  3. The programme also delivers in-depth understanding of key aspects of medical and healthcare professionalism within the context of bioethics, medical and healthcare education, and professional practice across care, research, and health management settings.  
  4. Students will be trained in clinical empathy, interprofessional collaboration, and lifelong learning skills.
  5. They will also develop research-oriented competencies in bioethics and gain the necessary preparation to participate in and manage ethical care committees (CEAs) and research ethics committees (CEIs), following an ontological-personalist bioethical approach. 
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Aimed at

The master’s degree is aimed at graduates from healthcare disciplines and at graduates from other fields who work professionally in care, research, or education within clinical or clinical-educational settings. 

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Skills output profile

Graduates of the programme will be able to:  

  • Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of the anthropological, ethical, and regulatory framework, as well as specific competencies in medical and healthcare professionalism.
  • Analyse sensitive ethical aspects that accompany professional practice in both care and research.  
  • Develop critical thinking skills that support the early identification of issues that may lead to inappropriate professional conduct in patient care, information management, and healthcare administration.  
  • Join ethical care committees (CEAs) and research ethics committees (CEIs).
  • Acquire the necessary tools to design and prepare proposals aimed at innovation in medical and healthcare education, and in health management. 

Curriculum

Study programme and subjects 2026-2027

Subjects in course 1 Type Term ECTS
Bioethics and Biolaw Type: OB Term: First semester ECTS: 6
Bioethics and Medical Professionalism Type: OB Term: First semester ECTS: 6
Life Sciences and Emerging Technologies Type: OB Term: First semester ECTS: 6
Philosophical Anthropology and Ethics Type: OB Term: First semester ECTS: 6
Research Methodology Type: OB Term: First semester ECTS: 10
Professionalism in Clinical Practice Type: OB Term: Second semester ECTS: 6
Professionalism in Medical Research Type: OB Term: Second semester ECTS: 6
Research Stay Type: OB Term: Second semester ECTS: 2
Summer Course Type: OB Term: Second semester ECTS: 2
Master's Final Project Type: TF Term: Second semester ECTS: 10
  • ECTS: European Credit Transfer System
  • Term: calendar period
  • (a): subjects which are taught in English

Facilities

Multicolumn

The master’s degree is delivered in a hybrid format, with a significant portion of the programme taught asynchronously online. In addition, the programme includes two weeks of inperson immersion, which may be undertaken either at UIC Barcelona or at the University of Piura (Peru).  

  • UIC Barcelona - Campus Sant Cugat

    UIC Barcelona - Campus Sanitari Sant Cugat del Vallès

    UIC Barcelona has a Health Sciences campus located in Sant Cugat, integrated within the Hospital Universitario General de Catalunya.  

  • Universitat de Puria

    Universitat de Piura*

    The University of Piura is a private Peruvian university with campuses in Piura and Lima. It ranks among the top 10 universities in Peru, according to the classification published by América Economía.  

    *In progress

Professional Career

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Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:

  • Acquire a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to clinical practice, integrating relevant anthropological, ethical, regulatory, and sociocultural aspects.
  • Demonstrate sound knowledge of applied ethics in the fields of healthcare, teaching, and research within the health sciences.
  • Anticipate training needs and design intervention strategies that strengthen the development of competencies across different stages of education and professional careers.
  • Join ethics committees, including Clinical Ethics Committees (CECs) and Research Ethics Committees (RECs).
  • Design innovative teaching proposals in the field of medical and healthcare education, adaptable to undergraduate, postgraduate, or continuing education programmes.
  • Develop initiatives aimed at promoting social responsibility and patient engagement in improving healthcare quality indicators.
  • Lead organisational transformation processes that integrate ethics as a cross-cutting axis in hospital management, medical education, and research, fostering collaborative and patient-centred environments.
  • Begin a research career in areas of shared interest to bioethics, medical and healthcare education, professionalism, and emotional health and wellbeing.

Information sessions

Date
Schedule
Location
Date03/03/2026
Schedule6:00 p.m. (Spain)
LocationOnline

Admission process

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Admission process component

Admission process for master's and postgraduate programmes

  • Request information

  • Application for admission

    • Delivery of documentation
    • Validation of documentation
  • Assessment of candidate

  • Result of admission process

    • Admission
    • On hold
    • No admission
  • Deposit paid

  • Enrolment

    Between July and September

    • Tuition paid
  • Welcome!

    You are now part of UIC Barcelona

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No specific entrance examination is required for admission to the master’s programme. Applicants must hold an official undergraduate, diploma or bachelor’s degree.  In the event of an excess of applications, the programme directors will assess each candidate’s academic and professional merits. 

Admission criteria and weighting are shown below: 

WeightingCriteria Aspects assessed 
30%Academic transcript Average grade of the university degree 
60%Currículum Vitae

Professional experience in the field of PC 

Work placements abroad in the field of PC 

Extracurricular work placements in the field of PC 

Publications in the field of PC 

Conferences in the field of PC 

10%Interview and motivation letter 

Interest in practising PC; research career and doctoral studies at UIC Barcelona

Personal and transversal skills required for working in Palliative Care  

 

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Admission Comittee

If you have decided to study this master’s programme, follow the steps below to complete the admission process. We advise you not to delay as places are limited. 

Students who have official Spanish university degree 
  1. An attested photocopy of the degree certificate, or an attested photocopy of the receipt for payment of the fees required to issue the degree certificate
  2. An attested photocopy of the academic transcripts from past university studies 
Students who have official university degree form a foreign university 
  1. A legalised original photocopy of the degree certificate
  2. A legalised original photocopy of the academic transcripts from past university studies 
In all cases: 
  1. One passport-sized photo
  2. One photocopy of the national ID card (DNI) or passport
  3. An up-to-date CV
  4. A letter of motivation
  5. If the documents are in a language other than Spanish, please submit a sworn Spanish translation of the university degree certificate and academic transcript.  
     
  • 3rd: Interview 

Interview with the master’s degree coordinator. 

Once accepted, students can start the process of booking places and registration.

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Admission Criteria

It is required, according to the provisions of article 16 of RD 861/2010, to be in possession of the official Spanish university degree, bachelor's, diploma, engineer or architect or any other issued by a higher education institution belonging to a Member State of the European Higher Education Area that authorises for the access to a master's degree. 

The admission tests consist of a weighted assessment of the candidate’s professional and research record. 

Once a decision regarding admission has been made, the Information and Admissions Service, responsible for managing the tests, will communicate the result to each candidate. 

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Reservation and enrollment

Candidates who have been accepted onto a master's or postgraduate degree programme will receive an acceptance letter that is contingent on payment of the reservation fee. 

  1. Place reservation becomes effective upon payment of the amount specified for the corresponding programme, within 10 business days of receiving the admission acceptance letter.
  2. Once a place has been officially reserved, if a student fails to meet, according to state or autonomous community legislation in force at all times, the requirements for admission to the degree course; does not hold the required qualification; or if the programme is not delivered due to insufficient enrolment, UIC Barcelona will reimburse the full amount of the reservation fee.
  3. If the student voluntarily withdraws from the programme for any reason, UIC Barcelona will retain the reservation fee in full, with no obligation to reimburse the amount, as compensation for any damages or losses incurred.
  4. Failure to pay the reservation fee will be understood as the student declining their place, in which case UIC Barcelona will cancel and void the application submitted for admission. 

Prices, grants and financial aid

Price

€116.00 / ECTS x 114 = €13,224.00 (+ €509.00 Registrations fees). *Prices corresponding to the 2026-2027 academic year.
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Grants

UIC Barcelona offers various fellowships supported by both public institutes (MEC or AGUAR), as well as private UIC Barcelona funds.

For further information, please check with our admissions department:

Grants offered by UIC Barcelona for master's degrees and postgraduate programmes
 

Grants from other institutions
 

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Other grants

Those pursuing master's degrees or postgraduate programmes studies at UIC Barcelona are also eligible for other scholarships.

Other grants
 

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Financing

In order to make tuition fee payments easier for students, UIC Barcelona offers various financing options through its partner banks.

More information

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Payment facilities

UIC Barcelona offers different payment options.

More information

International mobility

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Durant el curs acadèmic s'ofereixen dues setmanes d'immersió que podràs triar cursarles a UIC Barcelona o a la Universitat de Piura*, al Perú. La primera setmana es durà a terme preferentment al final del primer semestre i la segona setmana s'oferirà en un curs d'estiu al final del segon semestre. La primera setmana d'immersió consistirà en un pla d'activitats autodirigides i tutoritzades que els estudiants hauran d'haver dissenyat amb antelació i que, un cop aprovat, podran realitzar en algun dels centres adscrits al programa. La segona setmana (curs d'estiu) consistirà en un programa de seminaris i tallers en què s'abordarà una temàtica específica prèviament programada des de la direcció del programa. En el marc d'aquest mòdul els estudiants tindran l'oportunitat de fer la defensa pública dels seus projectes de recerca (Treball Final de Màster). Està previst que els cursos d'estiu s'ofereixin en els mesos de juliol o setembre a Espanya, i de febrer al Perú.  

*In progress

Information Sessions
03/03/2026 at 6:00 p.m. (Spain)
At UIC Barcelona, we organise online information sessions about our master’s and postgraduate programmes. The aim of these sessions is to provide you information and guidance and answer any questions you may have about the studies we offer (you will receive the access link via email on the day of the session).