Palliative Care MSc

Palliative care is about improving the quality of life of people with life-limiting illness and their families. Explore the clinical, social, psychosocial and ethical issues around caring for people with palliative care needs alongside experts at the Cicely Saunders Institute, in partnership with St. Christopher’s Hospice. This is a muti-disciplinary and multi-professional course. Our focus is on training health, care and research leaders of the future to improve palliative care for adults and children. We strive for excellence to improve care and reduce inequalities, ensuring that the changing needs of global populations are met across health and social care from childhood to the oldest. There is a strong focus on research and evidence-based practice in our programme. You’ll be studying with palliative care practitioners and researchers at the renowned Cicely Saunders Institute. The course is run in partnership with St Christopher's Hospice, which was founded by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1967 and is widely recognised as the first modern hospice. We have students from a wide range of backgrounds, including doctors, nurses, chaplains, social workers, physiotherapists and health and social care researchers. Medical students in their 3rd or 4th year can also join our intercalated programme. Our course is enriched by a mix of home and international students, facilitating learning from best practice from across the world. The course is open to those with a relevant degree and work experience. Take a look at our Fees sections for information about tuition fees and available scholarships, e.g. Funded MSc in Palliative Care (2 Part-Time Places available) and the PG Cert Palliative Care Studentships for UK Hospice Staff 2026-27. If you’re currently employed at a hospice in the UK, you may be eligible for a professional development grant via Hospice UK.

A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree. If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).