Postgraduate taught 

Palliative Care MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning

Nurse holding patients hand, Palliative Care

This programme is for professionals caring for patients with life-threatening or incurable illness. Students will expand, enhance and develop their knowledge through reviewing a broad range of published literature related to Palliative Care. There is a focus on non-malignant disease, frailty and multi-morbidity to reflect the changing patient demographic. Students will further develop their skills in critical analysis of core concepts along with symptom control, leadership, communication and holistic care. Students’ expertise will be enhanced by projects that will take place in their own clinical environment. This part-time online programme will support graduates in becoming clinical and academic leaders in the field of Palliative Care with a qualification from a world top 100 university.

  • Online
  • MSc: 36 months part‑time
  • PgDip: 24 months part‑time
  • PgCert: 12 months part‑time

Why this programme

  • Emphasis on learning embedded in clinical practice
  • Areas covered include symptom-control, communication skills, patient-centred care, leadership and effectiveness. Nursing ranking 1st in the UK
  • Taught by a team of clinicians with a wide range of clinical and educational experience, delivered as an online distance learning programme.
  • Delivered by experts in the field of palliative care using a multi-modal teaching approach which includes lectures, seminars, and online forums.
  • Tailored for students to reflect on implementing knowledge and skills in their own workplace in the UK or internationally.
  • Assessments are geared to acquiring work, academic and leadership skills and confidence to help students grow in their roles.
  • Watch Dr Paul Keeley and Dr Joanna Prentice, the programme directors tell you more.
  • Video: Palliative Care Programme

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    Why study online?

    • Flexible learning can be done at any time to fit in with other commitments. Speak to us about flexible learning options.
    • Most communication is via discussion boards or Microsoft Teams so you can reply at a time that suits you, fitting in with time zones and work commitments.
    • We record live sessions in case you can’t make it.
    • Your learning can be accessed on your computer, laptop, tablet or phone via the internet. Find out more about the remote resources available at Glasgow Anywhere.
    • We provide software to assist you, such as Office 365.
    • Your MVLS Digital Education Team provides support with technology issues by email or video chat.  
    • Flexible payment options are available. You don't have to pay everything upfront.
    • Be part of a global community of learners.
    • Connect with your fellow students and tutors through our virtual learning environment where you will have access to a multitude of learning resources.
    • You do not need to have experience of studying online, you will be guided on how to access and use all of our online resources.
    • Access Library e-resources remotely at any time. This includes an extensive catalogue of e-books and journals, searchable from the Library homepage

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Programme structure

The programme is taken over three years by online distance learning with exit points at:

  • PgCert - (60 credits, year 1 courses)
  • PgDip - (120 credits, years 1 & 2 courses)
  • MSc - (180 credits, years 1 & 2 courses plus dissertation,three years in total)

The programme is delivered online and consists of core courses as detailed below. 

Learning is exclusively via a state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE) with emphasis on the research and governance principles which underpin contemporary practice, as well as leadership and management skills. 

The MSc/PGDip courses in year 1 are designed to introduce the skills required to complete the course and apply evidence-based practice. 

Students will also start the in depth exploration of core clinical subjects in palliative care and begin to produce independent pieces for submission online. 

In year 2, MSc/PGDip students will further enhance their knowledge of core subjects and be introduced to leadership and management principles as well as clinical governance and quality improvement in palliative care. 

In year 3, MSc/PGDip students will write a dissertation around a topic of their choice allowing them to use the skills of academic enquiry learned.

Core courses

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

The programme forms a strong basis for a career in palliative care for nursing, medicine or allied healthcare professionals (AHPs) by following the major learning themes for the above specialist areas.

It also will become part of the essential requirements for Band 7 and above specialists in palliative care.

For medical candidates, the convenors of the programme will ensure the programme reflects GMC credentialing and will provide an academic underpinning for trainees in palliative care and a foundation for those seeking to further their skills in research, leadership and quality improvement.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2025-26

MSc

UK / EU / International:

  • £15,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits

PgDip

UK / EU / International:

  • £10,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits

PgCert

UK / EU / International:

  • £5,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.

Fees for students funded by the NHS or UK social care organisations or UK health and social care partnership (HSCP)

  • £11,820 (total cost for MSc)
  • £7,880 (total cost for PgDip)
  • £3,940 (total cost for PgCert)
  • £1,314 per 20 credits

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

UK Study Online Scholarship

The UK Study Online scholarship is open to UK, EU and international students taking online undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

Please see UK Study Online for more details.

Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)

Eligible full-time and part-time students, undertaking an eligible postgraduate course, can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £7,000 towards their course. Eligible full-time postgraduate students can apply for a living-cost loan of up to £4,500.  

This support extends to online Masters or Postgraduate Diplomas, and not to the online Postgraduate Certificate courses.

For more information visit the SAAS website.

Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)

If you’re an English student looking to study a taught Masters programme in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan. Students from England are able to apply for a non-means tested Postgraduate Master’s Loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs. You have to repay your Postgraduate Master’s Loan at the same time as any other student loans you have. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.

If you’re studying by distance learning, you can also apply.

Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students

If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

For more information visit Student Finance Wales

Alumni Discount

In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2025/26. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, International Summer School programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.

Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)

If you are a Northern Irish student looking to study a taught Masters programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a University in Northern Ireland.

Northern Irish students are able to apply for non-means-tested tuition fee loans of up to £5,500, to help with the costs of funding.

For more information visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate .

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

World Changers Glasgow Scholarship PGT (EU)

The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow. 

We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the World Changers Glasgow Scholarship PGT (EU) to new incoming EU students starting an postgraduate programme for Academic Session 2025-26. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount of £5,000 for every year of study and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

Applicants that completed a Study Abroad year, Exchange programme or International Summer School at the University of Glasgow and therefore eligible for the Alumni discount could be granted the EU Welcome Award, as well.

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

2.2 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacology, Physiology, or other Allied Health degrees.

We may sometimes accept degrees at 3rd/Pass or non-UK equivalent.

Applicants must have relevant clinical experience.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

  • 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
  • IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

  • 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

  • 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

  • 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

  • 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

  • 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

  • Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

  • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

  • direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
  • essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
  • flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

  • Heriot Watt
  • Kingston Upon Thames
  • Middlesex University
  • Manchester University
  • Reading University
  • Edinburgh University
  • ST Andrews University
  • UCL
  • Durham.

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

Computer requirements for studying online

Broadband internet connection

  • 3 mbps or higher

Internet Browsers

Our online learning platform Moodle is compatible with any standards compliant web browser. This includes:

Desktop:

  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Edge
  • Internet Explorer

Mobile:

  • MobileSafari
  • Google Chrome

For the best experience and optimum security, we recommend that you keep your browser up to date. 

Javascript needs to be enabled within your browser

Please note: legacy browsers with known compatibility issues with Moodle 3.3 are:

  • Internet Explorer 10 and below
  • Safari 7 and below

Computer specifications

  • Processor: 2GHz
  • Operating system (minimum):
    • Microsoft Windows Vista service pack 1
    • Windows 7
    • Mac OS X v10.4.11+
  • Memory: 3GB of RAM or more
  • Hard disk: 300GB
  • Sound card and microphone
  • Speakers or headphones
  • Monitor and video card with 1024x768 display or higher

Mobile device specifications

  • iOS: latest (Apple Safari & Google Chrome)
  • Android: 4.4+ with latest Google Chrome

Other software

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Media player e.g. Windows Media Player or VLC
  • Word processing software (that outputs to the following file types for marking online: .doc, .docx, .html, .txt, .rft, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .hwp)
  • Anti-virus software

Advised hardware / software

  • Microsoft Office 2010
  • Headset (ideally with a USB connector)
  • Webcam

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

  • Applications for this online programme will be accepted up until it starts.
Apply now

More information about this programme