Medicine, Disease, and Society
Module Description
This interdisciplinary module introduces students to the social, ethical, and historical dimensions of health and medicine. Learners will explore how society, culture, and policy influence medical care, public health, and patient experience.
The module also encourages personal reflection on motivations for a career in healthcare and fosters an understanding of evidence-based practice and medical ethics.
Entry Requirement
Candidates who apply must be in possession of at least one of the following:
- Successful completion of secondary education (equivalent to MQF Level 3), including passing grades in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics or a science-related subject.
- Proof of English language proficiency at IELTS 5.5 (with no individual band lower than 5.0), or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification.
- Basic digital literacy (e.g., familiarity with using email, online research, and word processing).
Applicants not meeting standard entry criteria may be considered through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in accordance with MFHEA guidelines, where applicable.
This programme is suitable for both recent secondary school graduates and adult learners seeking access to undergraduate education in biomedical or health sciences.
Target Audience
The programme targets the following groups:
- This programme is intended for international and local learners aged 18 and above who are seeking entry into undergraduate programmes in biomedical science, medicine, dentistry, or health sciences. It is especially suited to students who:
- Have completed secondary education but do not yet meet direct entry requirements for a science degree;
- Require additional academic preparation in biology, chemistry, and scientific English;
- Need to improve their academic skills and test-readiness for university admission (e.g., UCAT/BMAT);
- Plan to study in higher education systems that require a foundation year.
Career Paths
This programme is designed to serve as a preparatory pathway for further study rather than a direct route to a regulated or warranted profession. It supports access to MQF Level 6 programmes such as B.Sc. in Biomedical Science, Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences.
The programme builds foundational competences relevant to the following occupational areas as referenced in the Malta Qualifications Database (MQD):
- Entry-level healthcare support roles
- Pre-clinical academic preparation for health professions
Although it does not lead directly to a regulated profession, it equips learners with transferable scientific, academic, and digital skills necessary for further progression into regulated careers in the health and life sciences sectors.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Formative Assessment
- Summative Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Learning Outcomes
Competences
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Demonstrate autonomy in reflecting on personal career motivations and ethical considerations.
- Collaborate in group discussions on health systems and societal health challenges.
- Research and communicate ideas about public health, ethics, and care delivery.
- Apply knowledge of disease, health, and social factors to analyse the impact of medical interventions on individuals and communities.
Knowledge
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Describe key historical shifts in medical practice and public health.
- Identify the roles of patients, professionals, and institutions in healthcare systems.
- Understand major ethical dilemmas in modern medicine.
- Recognise how cultural, social, and economic factors affect health outcomes.
Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Retrieve and evaluate data and literature on health and disease.
- Construct arguments around controversial or complex healthcare topics.
- Communicate ideas clearly in both oral and written formats.
- Reflect on one’s role and responsibilities within the healthcare sector.
- Assess the impact of medical interventions on individuals and communities through knowledge of disease, health, and social factors.
Module-Specific Learner Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Articulate personal values and motivations for entering healthcare.
- Evaluate the relationship between health systems, society, and individual experience.
- Engage in respectful dialogue on controversial or ethically complex topics.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Search and retrieve articles from digital academic and health policy databases.
- Compile a digital portfolio combining written and visual reflections.
- Access ethical guidelines and public health reports from official online sources.