Postgraduate study

Source: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/endoflifestudies/ Parent: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/

Postgraduate taught

End of Life Studies MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning

Around the world there is growing interest in end of life care, assisted dying, and the cultural values that surround death and bereavement. This postgraduate programme will offer you new and critical perspectives on end of life practice and policy, palliative care, cultural representations of death and dying, and related ethical questions.

Online distance learning
Academic contact: naomi.richards@glasgow.ac.uk
Teaching start: January, April or September
Online
MSc: 18-24 months full-time: 3-6 years part-time
PgDip: 12 months full-time; Up to 48 months part‑time
PgCert: 8-12 months full-time; Up to 24 months part‑time
CPD: 11 weeks

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Year of entry 2026 2027 2028

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Why this programme

You 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. You will explore new patterns of ageing and dying, and the implications of these for policy and practice.
You 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.
Courses will explore some of the diverse cultural beliefs surrounding what makes a ‘good death’ and consider global attempts to improve end of life care.
You will 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.
Watch: End of Life Studies MSc programme overview.

Programme structure

You will take six core courses, and a submit dissertation project to complete the MSc programme (180 credits).

You will take three courses (60 credits) to complete the PgCert, and six courses to complete the PgDip, (120 credits), up to a maximum period of four years of study.

Core courses

September - December

January - April

April - July

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Single 20-Credit Course

11 weeks
20-credit course fee
Intakes in September, January and April

You can choose to take any one of the six courses we offer as part of our End of Life Studies MSc programme, each worth 20 credits.

Find out more about single course opportunities.

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Free 3-Week Taster Course: End of Life Care: Challenges and Innovation

3 weeks
Free
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners.

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

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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. More information is on the FutureLearn website.

Programme alteration or discontinuation\ The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

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.

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

Tuition fees for 2026-27

MSc

Home/EU/International: £15,000 (£1,667 per 20 credits)

PgDip

Home/EU/International: £10,000 (£1,667 per 20 credits)

PgCert

Home/EU/International: £5,000 (£1,667 per 20 credits)

Please note that these tuition fees apply to the following entry dates:

January 2026
April 2026
September 2026
January 2027
April 2027

Fee status

Fee status guidance

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

UK Study Online Scholarship

The UK Study Online scholarship is open to UK, EU and international students taking online undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Please see UK Study Online for more details.

UK Study Online Scholarship

Little Helpers Scholarship

We’re proud to support the next generation of scientists and health leaders with the Little Helpers €1000 Scholarship.

If you’re studying nutrition, food science, chemistry, biology, public health, dietetics, or any field related to digestive health or gluten research, this opportunity is for you.

For full scholarship details please visit Scholarship - Little Helpers

Little Helpers Scholarship

The scholarships above are relevant 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.

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

92 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 22; Listening 20; Speaking 23; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
Online PTE not accepted for entry
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

176 overall with no subtest less than 169
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

7 overall with no subtest less than 6
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic/ Academic Online

70 overall with no subtest less than 65
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II

Two subtests at 96 or higher, and two subtests at 80 or higher
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Kaplan Test of English

Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
students must have completed their final year of study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS);
essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University;
flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

More information on our Pre-sessional courses.

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

Heriot Watt
Kingston Upon Thames
Middlesex University
Manchester University
Reading University
Edinburgh University
ST Andrews University
UCL
Durham

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

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

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.