Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.
Palliative Care MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert
Key information
Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
Classroom & Online
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Distance Learning
Duration:
One year full-time or two years part-time; in person or distance learning.
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180/ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care at King's is a world-leading centre for applied and allied healthcare, clinical research and education. Our focus is on training the healthcare leaders of the future, with a strong commitment to providing post-qualification programmes of the highest quality. This is a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional course. In addition to practicing healthcare professionals, we also welcome and encourage medical students in their 3rd or 4th year to join our intercalated MSc Palliative Care programme. This course incorporates leading research and innovative and evidence-based practice. It is delivered by the Cicely Saunders Institute in partnership with St Christopher’s Hospice. Our programme is open to any professional working in palliative care or with people facing advanced illness. Palliative care is a multidisciplinary speciality involving doctors, nurses, and allied health and social care professionals. We believe our students learn best in a classroom reflecting this range of professions. Applicants currently employed at hospices in the UK may be eligible to apply for a professional development grant via Hospice UK, such as the Wolfson Professional Development Grant and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) bursary: https://www.hospiceuk.org/innovation-hub/support-for-your-role/grants/grants-and-bursaries-professional-development#content-menu-24104. These grants can provide up to £1,500 per year, with matched funding by your hospice encouraged by Hospice UK.
Key benefits
- Our course has both a national and international reputation, which attracts students from all over the world.
- Strongly focused on evidence and an understanding how to conduct research in palliative care and related areas.
- Course based at the Cicely Saunders Institute, a WHO Collaborating Centre for palliative care and rehabilitation that is at the heart of national and international research and academic-clinical collaborations.
- Our teaching staff are academics, practitioners, policy makers and global leaders in palliative care for adults and children.
- The course is delivered in partnership with St Christopher's Hospice, meaning our curriculum is informed by experts in holistic and compassionate palliative care of the highest quality.
- You will be studying at the #1 nursing faculty in the world (2025 QS World University Rankings).
Delivered by King’s Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, in partnership with St Christopher’s Hospice, the course will give you the skills you need to evaluate research and evidence in issues of palliative care to inform your clinical practice and your service development. This course is multi-disciplinary and multi- professional. You will learn alongside palliative care professionals from across the world and from all disciplines at the Cicely Saunders Institute. We have students from a wide range of disciplines and professions including doctors, chaplains, nurses, social workers and physiotherapists. Most teaching takes place at the Cicely Saunders Institute; some modules include components taught at St Christophers Hospice.
Course Aims
- Our Palliative Care programme aims to improve competence and confidence to care for adults and children with advanced disease, and for their families.
- The programme enables participants to develop the skills to critically evaluate evidence of the effectiveness, appropriateness and acceptability of existing interventions and services, both medical and psychosocial.
- You will develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the many clinical, social, psychosocial, and ethical issues which surround palliative care, and how to assess and deal with them.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
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).
Programme-Specific Requirements
A degree in medicine, nursing or dentistry or a 2:1 degree in life sciences or social sciences. You must also have experience of working in palliative care or an associated area, eg clinical or social care research.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
D
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
We interview candidates, usually with two members of the department, to discuss your palliative care experience, reasons for wanting to join the programme, and your research interests. We are happy to interview overseas applicants via telephone or Skype.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. Please tell us about your background and relevant experience for the course, and why you would like to study Palliative care at King's. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. |
| Other | Optional | You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Hyflex
The MSc, Diploma and Certificate programme in Palliative Care will be delivered via Hyflex. This means the course will be delivered both in person and online at the same time. As an in-person student, you will taught in the classroom on campus. You will also be joined by other students remotely wherever they are in the world.
The taught components of our modules are delivered in two-week blocks, throughout the year, with time for self-directed learning in between. This is deliberately designed to fit around your commitments at home and at work.
You’ll be taught by academics and professionals at the cutting-edge of adults and children's palliative care research and practice. We work in partnership with St Christopher’s Hospice to design and deliver the programme, and we bring in experts from around the world to teach on different subjects. This is to ensure that you receive the most up-to-date evidence and practice in all aspects of Palliative Care.
Assessment
- Course Work
Your performance will be assessed by coursework. Forms of assessment may typically include written assignments such as essays, policy briefs and case studies.
As an MSc student you will also complete a Research Study project. This is a substantial piece of work relevant to your field of practice, which will allow you to draw together key themes of learning developed through the course.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
If you are an MSc student, you will take a total of 180 credits. If you are a PG Dip student, you will take a total of 120 credits. If you are a PG Cert student, you will take a total of 60 credits.
Required modules
Research Methods and Statistics in Palliative Care (30 credits)
If you are an MSc student you are required to take: Research Study Project (60 credits). Full time students will complete this in Year 1. Part-time students still complete this in Year 2.
Optional modules
In addition to Research and Statistics, all students will need to take modules from the list below. MSc students will need to take a further three modules (90 credits). Part-time MSc students will need to complete these over two years. PG Dip students will need to take a further three modules (90 credits). For part-time PG Dip students, you will need to complete these over two years. PG Cert students will need to take a further one module (30 credits). Part-time PG Cert students will take this module in the second year of the course.
Assessment and Management of Symptoms in Advanced Disease (30 credits)
Service Management and Policy in Palliative Care (30 credits)
Applying Psychosocial, Cultural, Ethical and Spiritual Issues to Palliative and End of Life Care (30 credits)
Applying Epidemiology in Palliative Care (30 credits)
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
Many of our graduates have gone on to become leaders in their field, to make significant contributions to patient and family care and to influence palliative care policy locally, nationally and internationally. Many have used this course to progress their careers from specialist training registrars in palliative medicine to challenging and exciting consultant posts in hospital, hospice and community settings, and a growing number of clinical nurse specialists are now nurse consultants. Increasing numbers go on to conduct PhDs in palliative care related areas and the course has given to some exciting opportunities to conduct high quality research which has successfully been disseminated at scientific meetings or high quality, peer-reviewed journals.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: MSc - £13,500 per year (2025/26); PG Dip - £9,000 per year (2025/26); PG Cert - £4,500 per year (2025/26)
Part time: MSc - £6,750 per year (2025/26); PG Dip - £4,500 per year (2025/26); PG Cert - £2,250 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: MSc - £31,600 per year (2025/26); PG Dip - £21,067 per year (2025/26); PG Cert - £10,533 per year (2025/26)
Part time: MSc £15,800 per year (2025/26); PG Dip - £10,533 per year (2025/26); PG Cert - £5,267 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions. Please note that if you are funded by Health Education England (HEE) for your course at King’s you are not liable for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) fees. Applicants currently employed at hospices in the UK may be eligible to apply for a professional development grant via Hospice UK, such as the Wolfson Professional Development Grant and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) bursary: https://www.hospiceuk.org/innovation-hub/support-for-your-role/grants/grants-and-bursaries-professional-development#content-menu-24104. These grants can provide up to £1,500 per year, with matched funding by your hospice encouraged by Hospice UK.
Deposit
Bursary Funding
The following scholarships are available for this programme:
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
- Library fees and fines
- Personal photocopies
- Printing course handouts
- Society membership fees
- Stationery
- Graduation costs
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Delivered by King’s Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, in partnership with St Christopher’s Hospice, the course will give you the skills you need to evaluate research and evidence in issues of palliative care to inform your clinical practice and your service development. This course is multi-disciplinary and multi- professional. You will learn alongside palliative care professionals from across the world and from all disciplines at the Cicely Saunders Institute. We have students from a wide range of disciplines and professions including doctors, chaplains, nurses, social workers and physiotherapists. Most teaching takes place at the Cicely Saunders Institute; some modules include components taught at St Christophers Hospice.
Course Aims
- Our Palliative Care programme aims to improve competence and confidence to care for adults and children with advanced disease, and for their families.
- The programme enables participants to develop the skills to critically evaluate evidence of the effectiveness, appropriateness and acceptability of existing interventions and services, both medical and psychosocial.
- You will develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the many clinical, social, psychosocial, and ethical issues which surround palliative care, and how to assess and deal with them.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
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).
Programme-Specific Requirements
A degree in medicine, nursing or dentistry or a 2:1 degree in life sciences or social sciences. You must also have experience of working in palliative care or an associated area, eg clinical or social care research.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
D
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
We interview candidates, usually with two members of the department, to discuss your palliative care experience, reasons for wanting to join the programme, and your research interests. We are happy to interview overseas applicants via telephone or Skype.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. Please tell us about your background and relevant experience for the course, and why you would like to study Palliative care at King's. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. |
| Other | Optional | You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Hyflex
The MSc, Diploma and Certificate programme in Palliative Care will be delivered via Hyflex. This means the course will be delivered both in person and online at the same time. As an in-person student, you will taught in the classroom on campus. You will also be joined by other students remotely wherever they are in the world.
The taught components of our modules are delivered in two-week blocks, throughout the year, with time for self-directed learning in between. This is deliberately designed to fit around your commitments at home and at work.
You’ll be taught by academics and professionals at the cutting-edge of adults and children's palliative care research and practice. We work in partnership with St Christopher’s Hospice to design and deliver the programme, and we bring in experts from around the world to teach on different subjects. This is to ensure that you receive the most up-to-date evidence and practice in all aspects of Palliative Care.
Assessment
- Course Work
Your performance will be assessed by coursework. Forms of assessment may typically include written assignments such as essays, policy briefs and case studies.
As an MSc student you will also complete a Research Study project. This is a substantial piece of work relevant to your field of practice, which will allow you to draw together key themes of learning developed through the course.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
If you are an MSc student, you will take a total of 180 credits. If you are a PG Dip student, you will take a total of 120 credits. If you are a PG Cert student, you will take a total of 60 credits.
Required modules
Research Methods and Statistics in Palliative Care (30 credits)
If you are an MSc student you are required to take: Research Study Project (60 credits). Full time students will complete this in Year 1. Part-time students still complete this in Year 2.
Optional modules
In addition to Research and Statistics, all students will need to take modules from the list below. MSc students will need to take a further three modules (90 credits). Part-time MSc students will need to complete these over two years. PG Dip students will need to take a further three modules (90 credits). For part-time PG Dip students, you will need to complete these over two years. PG Cert students will need to take a further one module (30 credits). Part-time PG Cert students will take this module in the second year of the course.
Assessment and Management of Symptoms in Advanced Disease (30 credits)
Service Management and Policy in Palliative Care (30 credits)
Applying Psychosocial, Cultural, Ethical and Spiritual Issues to Palliative and End of Life Care (30 credits)
Applying Epidemiology in Palliative Care (30 credits)
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
Many of our graduates have gone on to become leaders in their field, to make significant contributions to patient and family care and to influence palliative care policy locally, nationally and internationally. Many have used this course to progress their careers from specialist training registrars in palliative medicine to challenging and exciting consultant posts in hospital, hospice and community settings, and a growing number of clinical nurse specialists are now nurse consultants. Increasing numbers go on to conduct PhDs in palliative care related areas and the course has given to some exciting opportunities to conduct high quality research which has successfully been disseminated at scientific meetings or high quality, peer-reviewed journals.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: MSc - £13,500 per year (2025/26); PG Dip - £9,000 per year (2025/26); PG Cert - £4,500 per year (2025/26)
Part time: MSc - £6,750 per year (2025/26); PG Dip - £4,500 per year (2025/26); PG Cert - £2,250 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: MSc - £31,600 per year (2025/26); PG Dip - £21,067 per year (2025/26); PG Cert - £10,533 per year (2025/26)
Part time: MSc £15,800 per year (2025/26); PG Dip - £10,533 per year (2025/26); PG Cert - £5,267 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions. Please note that if you are funded by Health Education England (HEE) for your course at King’s you are not liable for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) fees. Applicants currently employed at hospices in the UK may be eligible to apply for a professional development grant via Hospice UK, such as the Wolfson Professional Development Grant and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) bursary: https://www.hospiceuk.org/innovation-hub/support-for-your-role/grants/grants-and-bursaries-professional-development#content-menu-24104. These grants can provide up to £1,500 per year, with matched funding by your hospice encouraged by Hospice UK.
Deposit
Bursary Funding
The following scholarships are available for this programme:
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
- Library fees and fines
- Personal photocopies
- Printing course handouts
- Society membership fees
- Stationery
- Graduation costs
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
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 programme is offered in person or via distance learning:
In Person (Full-time/Part-time) – MSc, PGDip and PGCert
Our first application deadline is on 9 March 2025 (23:59 UK time)
The final application deadlines for this programme are:
- Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time)
- Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)
After the first application deadline in March:
- if the programme 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 programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications
Distance Learning (Full-time/Part-time) – MSc Only
Our first application deadline is on 9 March 2025 (23:59 UK time) and the final application deadline is on 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)
After the first application deadline in March:
- if the programme is not yet full, we will continue to accept applications until all available places are filled up to the final application deadline above
- if the programme becomes full before the final application deadline stated above, we will close the programme to further applications
Key information
Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
Classroom & Online
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Distance Learning
Duration:
One year full-time or two years part-time; in person or distance learning.
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180/ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
Contact us
For more information regarding our courses please contact us using the details below
Open days and events
Chat with current students and King's staff to find out about the courses we offer, life at King's and ask any questions you may have.
Postgraduate Nursing Scholarships
King's works in partnership with The Burdett Trust for Nursing and University of Edinburgh to educate nurse leaders of the future.
5 minutes with Dr Lin
Meet Cheng-Pei, an oncology nurse and postdoctoral researcher in palliative care. We interviewed Chengi-Pei to find out about...
Postgraduate Taught Studies at King’s webinar
Postgraduate Taught Studies at King’s webinar
Explore more
Find out more about our King's accommodation
Discover your accommodation options and explore our residences.
Chat to students and staff
Chat to current students and staff to find out about life at King's.
Connect with a King’s Advisor
Want to know more about studying at King's? We're here to help.
Learning in London
King's is right in the heart of the capital.