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MSc Palliative Care

MSc (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The MSc Palliative Care programme is an interdisciplinary programme designed to enhance your existing knowledge and skills in caring for patients with life limiting illness.

Possessing this enhanced level of expertise will enable you to: become a valuable member of the multidisciplinary team providing palliative care and further enhance the care provided to patients in your current area of practice who have a range of complex symptoms that need impeccable assessment and management.

About This Course

  • To create an interdisciplinary learning environment in which students are encouraged to critically reflect on, evaluate and implement where possible, evidence-based practice to the enhancement of palliative care practice, research, and policy
  • To develop academic and clinical leaders who embody the values, principles and philosophy of palliative care for the future progression of contemporary health care in Ireland
  • To promote innovation in inter-disciplinary learning, translation of theory into practice and enhancement of palliative care for patients, their families, the wider healthcare team and society. 

This is a one (academic) year programme, broken down into three trimesters. Assessments are varied (assignments and completion of a Dissertation).

Programme Strengths

  • Strong working relationship between UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems and clinical partners in Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross
  • A long history of producing high quality graduates (over 200 to date) many of whom are now working in CNS/Clinical/Educational Facilitator and CNM roles
  • Clinical and university-based lecturers (multidisciplinary teaching team) with national and international expertise from clinical, research and educational perspectives
  • Modularised programme with some modules being taught using a blended approach
  • Clinical Placements in a variety of palliative care settings which enable students to learn from leading experts in oncology
  • Extensive use of IT in supporting the teaching environment of the programme
  • Access to excellent facilities for lectures
  • Flexibility to pursue the programme over a longer period of time
  • Access to applicants who have not had the opportunity to pursue third level education before (RPL Recognition of Prior Learning)

The Master of Science Palliative Care will enhance your research knowledge and skills in the context of palliative care.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
NMHS44020 Evid synthesis & translation 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  30

MSc Palliative Care (X790) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5410
nonEU    fee per year - € 29100

***Fees are subject to change

Funding

If the fees for your programme are being paid by a third party (full or partial), please ensure your funding organisation/sponsor/hospital contacts student.payments@ucd.ie. Please note this is not a student facing email address.

Student Queries

If you have any queries about your fees, please contact the Student Desk:

www.ucd.ie/askus

https://www.ucd.ie/students/studentdesk/

Application Fee

Please note that all applicants are required to pay the €60 application fee. Your application cannot be processed fully unless the application fee has been paid.

More information about fees is available on the UCD website at the link below:

 

Applicants must have completed the Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care or equivalent (NQAI Level 9)

Documents Required

  • Academic Transcripts including date and grading of Degree award (non UCD only)
  • Nurse applicants must provide copy of current registration and Pin with An Bord Altranais
  • Other healthcare professionals must provide copy of registration with a recognised professional body
  • Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Pages of Passport (non UCD only)
  • Professional Reference Form
  • Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL may be granted in respect of individual modules if applicants can demonstrate that the modules' learning outcomes have been achieved through prior credentialled or experiential learning. In some cases, where an applicant does not meet the prerequisites for entry to a programme, an RPL application may be considered. Further information can be found in respect of this here.

 

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


This course builds on the healthcare professionals' repertoire of knowledge and skills for professional practice in the care of persons with life limiting illness. The programme is aimed at health professionals who have completed a Graduate Diploma (Level 9) in Palliative Care.


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Palliative Care:

ROWCLASS Apply to
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X790
MSc Palliative Care
Master of Science

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page