MSc Integrated Palliative & End of Life Care

This programme is designed to make palliative and end-of-life care real, meaningful and accessible for all frontline clinical staff. The programme is suitable for nurses (community, hospital, nursing home, hospice), health and social care practitioners, allied health professionals, paramedics and doctors (GPs, specialist doctors and doctors in training). You will gain enhanced knowledge, confidence and competence in assessing the palliative and end-of-life care needs of patients and their families, with a particular focus on transforming end-of-life communication and the psychology of spiritual care and positive emotion. The impact in different disease trajectories will be explored, looking for similarities and differences and seeing how these might be managed. In addition, you will learn how to manage symptoms and address concerns arising across the four domains of holistic care (physical, psychological, spiritual and social), consider the ethical and legal aspects of care, and undertake an advanced practice project, underpinned by a detailed understanding of clinical education research.

Your future career

Upon successful completion of the programme you will have the knowledge required to provide effective support to patients, their families and other health professionals in managing end-of-life care.

The course is designed to enhance your employability through developing your critical care skills and leadership qualities and encouraging you to explore new ways of working within health and social settings. You will gain experience of raising awareness of the holistic and existential issues facing patients and their loved ones and develop the skills to deal with challenging communication.

You will also be expected to demonstrate knowledge across disciplines, being both attuned to cultural diversity and aware of your professional responsibilities and limitations.

The normal minimum requirement is a degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a health or social care related subject. Other subjects may be considered subject to a successful interview. You must be currently working in a health care setting. If you have a minimum of five years’ experience working within health and social care, you may be able to access the programme without a degree, subject to a successful interview, if you are able to demonstrate evidence of relevant continuous professional development.