MSc Palliative Care

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 65% or equivalent.

English language proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no individual component below 6.5.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 100.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 76.
• Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.

King’s College London is providing financial support to international students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need. The university offers a variety of scholarships specifically designed to assist international students in covering tuition fees and living costs while studying in the United Kingdom. These scholarships help make higher education more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds and regions.

King’s College London International Postgraduate Scholarships: King’s College London offers a range of scholarships for international postgraduate students. These scholarships are available for students applying to specific master’s programs and are designed to recognize academic achievement and potential. The scholarships vary in value, with some covering partial tuition fees and others offering full financial support. International students who have a strong academic record and potential for research excellence are eligible for consideration.

Commonwealth Scholarships: King’s College London is part of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, which offers scholarships to students from Commonwealth countries. These scholarships cover tuition fees, airfare, and living expenses for international students pursuing postgraduate studies in the UK. They are awarded based on academic excellence and the potential to contribute to the development of the student's home country after completing their studies.

Chevening Scholarships: The Chevening Scholarship is a UK government-funded initiative that provides full financial support for postgraduate students from eligible countries. King’s College London is a participating university for Chevening Scholars, who are selected based on academic merit, leadership potential, and the ability to contribute to their communities. Chevening Scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living stipend.

Dean’s Scholarships for International Students: Many departments at King’s College London offer Dean’s Scholarships for international students applying to specific programs. These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and the student’s potential contribution to their field of study. They may provide partial or full funding for tuition fees and are typically available for high-achieving students who have an excellent academic record.

Country-Specific Scholarships: King’s College London offers country-specific scholarships for international students from specific regions or countries. These scholarships are designed to support students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and who are making a positive impact in their home country. Each scholarship may have its own eligibility criteria, including academic qualifications, nationality, and financial need.

Graduates of the MSc Palliative Care program at King’s College London are well-equipped to pursue various advanced roles in the field of palliative care and related healthcare areas. With a robust training in the clinical, psychological, and ethical aspects of end-of-life care, graduates are prepared to work across a wide range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, hospices, home care, and community healthcare teams. 

Palliative Care Specialist: Many graduates pursue careers as specialized palliative care providers, delivering care to patients with life-limiting illnesses in hospitals, hospices, or home care settings. These professionals assess patients' physical, emotional, and psychological needs, providing compassionate care that focuses on pain management, symptom relief, and quality of life during the end-of-life process.

Hospice Care Provider: Graduates of the MSc Palliative Care program often work in hospice care settings, providing specialized care to individuals who are nearing the end of life. Hospice professionals focus on creating a supportive and comfortable environment for patients and their families, addressing not only physical symptoms but also providing emotional and spiritual support in alignment with the principles of palliative care.

Palliative Care Consultant: Experienced professionals may choose to work as palliative care consultants, offering expert advice to healthcare teams, hospitals, and other institutions. Consultants help design and implement palliative care services, improve care strategies, and provide guidance on complex cases. This career often involves high-level decision-making and supporting multidisciplinary teams in hospitals or healthcare organizations.

Clinical Educator or Trainer: With the comprehensive training from King’s College London, graduates can take on clinical educator or trainer roles, teaching and mentoring healthcare professionals who wish to specialize in palliative care. Clinical educators often work in academic settings or within healthcare organizations to train new staff and ensure that palliative care practices are consistently implemented with a focus on best practices and compassionate care.

Palliative Care Researcher: Graduates interested in academic and clinical research can become palliative care researchers, conducting studies that advance the field. This may include exploring new treatment protocols, symptom management strategies, patient-centered care approaches, or the impact of cultural differences on palliative care. Research opportunities can be found in universities, hospitals, or independent research institutions.

Home Care Palliative Provider: Some graduates choose to specialize in home care for individuals with terminal illnesses, offering palliative care in a patient’s home environment. As home care providers, they can support patients in maintaining a comfortable, dignified lifestyle while managing symptoms and ensuring family members are educated and supported throughout the process.

Policy Advisor in Palliative Care: With a strong foundation in the ethical and practical aspects of palliative care, graduates can pursue roles as policy advisors for governments, healthcare systems, or nonprofit organizations. These professionals work to shape and influence policies and practices around palliative and end-of-life care, ensuring that care standards meet the needs of diverse populations, including underserved communities.

End-of-Life Care Advocate: As end-of-life care advocates, graduates can work in nonprofit organizations, community groups, or healthcare settings to promote public awareness of palliative care options. This role involves educating the public about the benefits of palliative care, supporting families in making informed decisions, and advocating for greater access to palliative services on a societal level.

Bereavement Counselor: Given the emotional and psychological aspects of palliative care, some graduates may pursue careers as bereavement counselors, supporting families and loved ones through grief and loss. These counselors provide therapeutic services that help individuals cope with the emotional challenges following the death of a loved one, focusing on emotional healing and recovery.

Clinical Psychologist in Palliative Care: For those interested in combining psychology with palliative care, becoming a clinical psychologist in palliative care settings offers a chance to support patients and families dealing with the mental health aspects of terminal illness. These professionals work on managing the emotional challenges of end-of-life care, offering coping mechanisms, and addressing anxiety, depression, and stress.

Global Palliative Care Practitioner: Graduates with a global mindset may pursue international palliative care roles, where they address global health disparities by providing palliative care in low-resource settings or working with global health organizations to improve access to end-of-life care worldwide. This career can involve humanitarian missions, global health policy initiatives, or training healthcare workers in underserved areas.

Palliative Care Program Manager: Some graduates opt for leadership roles such as palliative care program manager, overseeing the development, implementation, and operation of palliative care services in hospitals or community healthcare programs. Program managers ensure that palliative care teams deliver high-quality care, and they may also handle budgeting, staffing, and strategic planning to enhance service delivery.