Overview

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. If you’re currently employed at a hospice in the UK, you may be eligible for a professional development grant via Hospice UK.

Key benefits

Study at a world-leading centre for palliative care.
Learn from our leading researchers and clinical staff on the latest evidence in palliative care.
Be immersed in a vibrant community of students from all over the world and different professional backgrounds.
Take advantage of flexible options for study including full time or part time, in person or online.
Conduct your MSc research project under expert supervision with the potential to get published.

It was a great privilege to pursue the MSc in Palliative Care at the Cicely Saunders Institute King’s College London. This international course gave me the opportunity to learn from world experts in palliative care. The modular approach enabled me to continue in my work in Uganda, and put best practice into action. This was the perfect blend!

Dr EveMSc graduate, Uganda

Course essentials

The MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert will develop your competence and confidence in caring for adults and children with advanced disease and supporting their families.

The programme enables participants to develop the skills to critically evaluate evidence on the effectiveness, appropriateness and acceptability of existing interventions and services, both medical and psychosocial.

You’ll be taught by a wide range of people including academics and clinical and global leaders in palliative care.

In addition to the core module on research methods and statistics, you can tailor your course through optional modules, e.g. on symptom management, service development or psychosocial issues.

If you are studying the full MSc, you can choose your research project from a list of existing topics, or you may want to explore an idea of your own. We’ll match you up with a supervisor who is an expert in your area of interest.

The programme is delivered via Hyflex. This means the course will be delivered both in person and online at the same time. We have deliberately designed the course to fit around your commitments at home and at work. Each of our modules is delivered in two week blocks throughout the year, with time for self-directed learning in between.

Course aims

A detailed knowledge and understanding of research methods and statistics applied to palliative care.
The knowledge and skills required to participate actively in research and development and to provide a vehicle for those seeking an academic foundation for PhD studies.
The skills necessary to appropriate existing research and develop and execute methodologically robust projects in a student's work setting or country (often in collaboration with others).
An advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of palliative care, the contribution of different disciplines, and biological, psychosocial, ethical, global, and cultural issues.
Enhanced skills in evidence-based clinical practice, teaching and service development in palliative care.
The knowledge and skills to be a leader in palliative care.

Taught in

Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care

Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation

Administrative bodies

Regulating body

Application closing date guidance

We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed. We may need to request further information from you during the application process.

This course is offered in person or via distance learning:

Face-to-face (Full-time/Part-time) – MSc, PGDip and PGCert

Our first application deadline is on 9 March 2027 (23:59 UK time)

The final application deadlines for this course are:

Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2027 (23:59 UK time)
Home fee status: 25 August 2027 (23:59 UK time)

After the first application deadline in March:

if the course is not yet full, we will continue to accept applications until all available places are filled up to the final application deadlines above
if the course becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the course to further applications

Distance Learning (Full-time/Part-time) – MSc Only

Our first application deadline is on 9 March 2027 (23:59 UK time)
The final application deadline is on 25 August 2027 (23:59 UK time)