Palliative Care

The Graduate Diploma Palliative Care 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. You will be well positioned to work in a variety of care settings both nationally and internationally. Many graduates have assumed varying roles in the palliative care services CNM/Educational/Clinical Facilitator roles.



On successful completion of the programme, you will receive a Graduate Diploma Palliative Care from the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. The programme is recognised nationally (since its inception in 1997) and is a highly regarded qualification for health care professionals caring for patients with life limiting illness who require palliative care.



This programme is aimed at advancing the health care professionals' repertoire of knowledge and skills for professional practice in the care of persons with life limiting illness.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

NMHS42370 Palliative Care,Philosophy,Concepts and Debates Autumn 10

NMHS42540 Palliative Approaches to Symptom Management Autumn 10

NMHS43270 ResMethodsAppliedtoHealthcare Autumn 10

NMHS42820 Psychosocial, Spiritual and Therapeutic Issues in Palliative Care Spring 10

NMHS43140 Developing Leadership Competency Spring 10

Documents Required:

- Academic Transcripts including date and grading of Degree award (non UCD only)

- Current photocopy of NMBI registration and pin

- Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Pages of Passport (non UCD only)

- Professional Reference Form

- Nurse applicants: Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nomine

- Nurse Applicants: Declaration Form

- Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)



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 at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: No



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

60

X791: 1 year full-time

X792: 2 years part-time

Delivery: Blended

GradDip Palliative Care (X791) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 8860

nonEU fee per year - € 17070


***Fees are subject to change


Your programme fees are available at the links below. You can search by programme title, keyword or major code. Please note that fees published on the links below are inclusive of the student levy, which must be paid by all students.

X791: Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



X792: Graduate Diploma Palliative Care Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

The Graduate Diploma Palliative Care will provide you with the comprehensive knowledge and skills required for caring for patients with life limiting illness who require palliative care. Possessing a broad and deep understanding of the theory and skills required for Palliative Care, you will be well positioned to work in a variety of care settings both nationally and internationally. Many graduates have assumed varying roles in the palliative care services CNM/Educational/Clinical Facilitator roles.