Palliative Care

Course Overview

The aim of this interdisciplinary course is to facilitate students to develop a comprehensive academic and evidence-based approach to their practice, to critically explore palliative care service provision. It is run in partnership with St. Francis Hospice, Dublin, with design and delivery input from Trinity’s School of Nursing and Midwifery.



Is This Course For Me?

The course is open to a wide range of registered interdisciplinary healthcare professionals who have clinical experience providing a palliative care approach for patients with a life limiting condition.



Course Structure

The course structure in year one differs for the P.Grad Cert and the P.Grad Dip.



Year One starts with a full week of studying in September and continues thereafter one or two days per week for the remainder of the academic year.



P.Grad.Cert The post graduate certificate in palliative care consists of three core palliative care modules which are delivered weekly online.



P.Grad.Dip The Post Graduate Diploma in palliative care consist of the above three core palliative care modules which are delivered weekly online. There are three further modules which include an elective, these are delivered in person in Trinity College Dublin. P.Grad Dip students can elect to undertake a total of 104 hours of supernumerary clinical placements in various care settings relevant to the speciality of palliative care, They may be required to attend additional teaching sessions or clinical placements at associated service provider sites as well as at the student’s practice-base clinical site.



A blended learning approach is utilised in the delivery of theoretical content which includes lectures, group discussions and self-directed learning. Content for some modules are delivered completely online. The assessment process is a combination of written and practical assignments.



Year Two consists of workshops throughout the academic year; carrying out research and the writing of a dissertation.

P.Grad.Cert. students take three specialist modules online: Palliative Care: Concepts, Philosophy and Debates; Palliative Approaches to Pain and Symptom Management: Psychosocial, Spiritual, and Therapeutic Issues in Palliative Care. Upon successful completion of the P.Grad. Cert. there is an option to persue the P.Grad.Dip.



Upon completion of the three P.Grad.Cert. modules, students may opt to progress to the Postgraduate Diploma and take a further two core modules: Theory and Practice of Enquiry Methods for Healthcare; and Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance; and a choice between one of the two following modules: Clinical Practicum Palliative Care; and Ethics and Law in Healthcare.



**Students who wish to persue a career in specialist palliative care are advised to avail of the clinical practicum elective offered as part of the P.Grad.Dip.



M.Sc. candidates take all P.Grad.Dip. modules in one year. In Year Two, Masters students must complete a research dissertation. Students who are eligible for the award of a Diploma may progress to undertake a Master's degree within five years of first entering the programme.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold an Honours undergraduate degree in a Health or related subject area. In exceptional circumstances, candidates without this qualification may still be accepted to the programme if they can satisfy the selection panel that they have the ability to complete and benefit from the course.



Candidates must have a minimum of one year's experience in delivering a palliative care approach within practice within the last two years and for the duration of the course be employed in an area where the principles of palliative care are operationalised when caring for individuals with life threatening illness and their families.



Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, you can learn more at: www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/undergraduates/garda-vetting.php



All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Closing Date: 30th June 2025

2 years part-time, P.Grad.Dip.

P.Grad.Cert. 1 year part-time.

Next Intake: September 2025

Career Opportunities

This course can enhance students’ knowledge and skills in palliative care and advance graduates’ career prospects both in terms of promotion eligibility and post-graduate training.