Why this programme

• We will examine new theories, key concepts and a variety of research methods relating to end of life issues.
• As the global population ages and grows, so too does the number of deaths in the world each year. We explore new patterns of ageing and dying, and the implications of these for policy and practice.
• We will examine the specific challenges of delivering optimal end of life care in the global context, examining diverse models of care, their implementation in differing cultural settings and the global spread of palliative care approaches.
• We will explore some of the diverse cultural beliefs surrounding what makes a ‘good death’ and consider global attempts to improve end of life care.
• We consider the expanding debate surrounding the legalisation of assisted dying, and examine the implications for policy and practice in different settings.
• Designed for and delivered on the FutureLearn platform.

Try a free taster course

Enrol on End of Life Care: Challenges and Innovation to get an introduction to the subject and studying here at the University of Glasgow.

Online 10-Credit Microcredential: End of Life Challenges and Palliative Care

• 10 weeks
• £599
• 50 CPD / 10 Academic Credits
• Entry points in September and April

On this 10-week fully-online Microcredential, you’ll be introduced to new critical perspectives from within the social sciences, humanities, and clinical disciplines.

Taking an interdisciplinary approach that encourages new ways of thinking, you’ll gain the tools to reflect on your own professional and personal encounters with dying, death, and grief.

Supported by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh; their Fellows and Members will receive 50 CPD credits upon completion. You will also receive 10 postgraduate-level academic credits and a Higher Education Achievement Record from the University of Glasgow, which can be used towards a Masters level qualification in End of Life Studies.

For more information, see www.futurelearn.com.

Career prospects

The programme is extremely well fitted to the needs of people already engaged in some way in matters relating to death, dying, bereavement, palliative care, and end of life care: as well as those who seek to move into these fields. We envisage a rich online learning community on the degree, made up not only of practitioners, but also social activists, those working in artistic and cultural media, as well as people pursuing their own personal development on a matter of pressing human interest.

Graduates are likely to find employment in:

• Non-government organisations concerned with end of life care policy, service design and management.
• International health organisations, particularly those with a focus on ageing and end of life care.
• Government agencies and departments that take responsibility for end of life care strategies and provision.
• Creative industries that focus on matters of death and dying in film, literature, public engagement, exhibitions and installations.
• Emerging new professional groups: such as Death Doulas and other end of life practitioners.

Find out more about careers paths and opportunities.

Fees & funding

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

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

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Social Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Death, Dying, Bereavement, Cultural Studies and Criticism, Mortuary Science, Funeral Studies and other Allied Health Professions.

Diplomas or certificates in any of the following may be accepted instead of academic qualifications and in complement with lower academic qualifications: Funeral Directors, Midwives, Doulas, Funeral Celebrants, Spiritual Care in Health Contexts, Grief Counselling, Loss and Bereavement Expertise, Palliative and Hospice Care, Compassionate Communities, Community Development, Voluntary Action and Organisations, Social Care, Social Enterprise. We may also accept applicants with relevant and substantial professional and/or industry experience even if they do not necessarily hold a relevant qualification.

Please include a 500 word personal statement detailing your relevant background and/or industry experience. You should state why you have applied for this programme and how your background/interests make you a good fit for the course.

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.