Master of Palliative Care

Note

All subjects in the course are delivered by distance (online).

Commonwealth Supported Places

There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available in this course, which are competitive and awarded based on merit. To be considered for a CSP, applicants must:

  • Indicate their interest in a CSP on their application.
  • Apply on time in line with CSP deadlines (it is recommended applicants apply early as applications are assessed progressively).

Eligible applicants must accept their offer by the lapse date to retain their place. For application deadlines and information, please refer to Postgraduate courses with Commonwealth Supported Places.

This course is not offered to international students.

This interdisciplinary course targets health professionals aiming to excel in palliative care at an advanced level. Choose this degree to enhance your clinical performance, decision-making, and leadership in palliative care. The course is designed and delivered by leading experts, ensuring a blend of theory and practical application across diverse healthcare contexts.

Students gain proficiency in person-centred care, navigate complex communication, and understand social justice, law, ethics, and public health. The course prepares students for dynamic healthcare environments and to improve patient outcomes significantly.

Learning combines theory with practice through online modules, real-time activities, and interactions with industry experts. Expect a mix of participatory learning, communities of practice, media resources, and case-based scenarios to become a practice-ready palliative care professional.

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Study plan

The following example shows a typical part-time program.

First year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Communicating and Collaborating for Optimal Person Centred Care 96801 6
Delivering Best Palliative Care Any Place Every Time 96802 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Complex Symptom Management 96803 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Electives cbk92359 18

Second year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Immersive Palliative Care Futures 96804 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Electives cbk92359 18
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Ethical Dimensions of Palliative Care 96828 3
Legal Dimensions of Palliative Care 96829 3
Translating Evidence into Change 96806 6

Third year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Optimising End-of-Life Communication 96826 3
Optimising End-of-life Communication within Complex and Diverse Situations 96827 3
Generating Evidence to Improve Palliative Care Outcomes 96808 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Clinical Assessment in Palliative Care 96824 3
Pharmacology in Palliative Care 96825 3
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Electives cbk92359 18

First year

Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Complex Symptom Management 96803 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Electives cbk92359 18

Second year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Communicating and Collaborating for Optimal Person Centred Care 96801 6
Delivering Best Palliative Care Any Place Every Time 96802 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Ethical Dimensions of Palliative Care 96828 3
Legal Dimensions of Palliative Care 96829 3
Translating Evidence into Change 96806 6

Third year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Immersive Palliative Care Futures 96804 6
Generating Evidence to Improve Palliative Care Outcomes 96808 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Clinical Assessment in Palliative Care 96824 3
Pharmacology in Palliative Care 96825 3
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Electives cbk92359 18

Fourth year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Optimising End-of-Life Communication 96826 3
Optimising End-of-life Communication within Complex and Diverse Situations 96827 3

Course fees

For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:

Local student

In most cases, UTS offers domestic students entry to postgraduate courses on a fee paying basis.

Tuition fees are charged:

  • based on the particular course in which you are enrolled
  • based on the number of credit points in which you are enrolled
  • at the rates set for the current year and revised annually

Fees for future year(s) published in the online calculator, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only.  UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

Tuition fees can be found in the online calculator.

A small number of postgraduate courses offer government subsidised Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Find out whether there are CSPs available in this course by visiting our postgraduate fees page.

In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional costs.

UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage

International student

Tuition fees for international postgraduate coursework students can be found using fees search.

Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

For this course, the cost per credit point for 2025 is $899. The total credit points are 72.


All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:

In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.

UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage

For further information on costs related to your study at UTS, visit the international students' fees information page.

Careers

This interdisciplinary course aims to prepare future leaders in palliative care to drive reforms to improve end-of-life care experiences for patients and families. Designed for nursing, medical and allied health professionals, the course emphasises interdisciplinary care and aims to prepare students for an advanced level of healthcare delivery across a range of settings.

Bringing together the nursing, medical and allied health disciplines, this course focuses on the effective management of interdisciplinary care in the context of prescribing and referral practices, diagnostic investigations and developing comprehensive treatment plans.

Career options include working in palliative care policy at a state or national level and providing palliative care in a variety of clinical areas such as emergency, critical care, surgical and medical specialties, community-based care, mental health, specialist palliative care, paediatrics, aged care, chronic disease management and primary health care.

Course structure

Course structure explained

Students must complete 72 credit points made up of 54 credit points of core subjects and 18 credit points of electives.

Course completion requirements
Requirement Credit Points
STM91273 Core - Level 1 18
STM91272 Core - Level 2 18
STM91271 Core - Level 3 18
CBK92359 Electives 18
Total 72

Additional information

Course duration

This course is offered on a three-year, part-time basis.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.

Applicants must have the following:

  • Completed Australian bachelor's degree or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent AND Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) as a health professional in Australia AND Concurrent employment in or access to the clinical area of study AND A minimum of 1 year full-time, or equivalent part-time, post registration clinical experience

Applicants’ current nursing registration is confirmed via the National Register of Practitioners. Applicants should ensure that details of their registration are up to date on this register.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C07131 Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care or C11268 Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care.

Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application

  • Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of Service in one of the following formats:
    • A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
    • A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
    • A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
    • An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
    • A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)

The English proficiency requirement for local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

If you don't meet the admission requirements for this course, there may be alternative pathways to help you gain admission.

Scholarships and prizes

Scholarships

For Health students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Health students

UTS: Handbook

See the Master of Palliative Care in the UTS: Handbook for comprehensive course details.

Information for international students

Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.

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Domestic students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

How to apply

Domestic applicants can apply via My Student Portal.

Intake

Autumn Session 2025
Spring Session 2025

Important dates

JANUARY 2025
26
Postgraduate applications close for Main Calendar Autumn Session 2025
FEBRUARY 2025
3
Postgraduate applications open for Spring and Summer Session 2025
3 - 14
Orientation for Main Calendar Autumn Session
17
Main Calendar Autumn Session 2025 commences
MARCH 2025
3
Last day to be admitted to a course or enrol in (add) subjects for Main Calendar, Health UG Calendar, Education UG + PG Calendar Health Extended Teaching Calendar Autumn Session 2025
JUNE 2025
29
Postgraduate applications close for Spring Session 2025
JULY 2025
21 - 25
Orientation for Main Calendar Spring Session
28
Main Calendar Spring Session 2025 commences
AUGUST 2025
11
Last day to be admitted to a course or enrol in (add) subjects for Main Calendar, Health UG Calendar, Health Extended Teaching Calendar Spring Session 2025
OCTOBER 2025
TBC
Postgraduate applications close for Summer Session 2025
DECEMBER 2025
1 - 5
Orientation for Main Calendar Summer Session 2025
JANUARY 2026
TBC
Postgraduate applications close for Main Calendar Autumn Session 2026

Need more information?

Ask UTS

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Health students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Health students

International students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

You can meet an international student advisor at one of our events worldwide to ask questions and submit an application.

Important dates

Visit the UTS Handbook for full academic dates. Visit essential information for international students for the application closing dates.

 

How to apply

This course is not available to international applicants. UTS International has information on all courses available to international applicants wishing to study at UTS.

Apply online

Download an application form

Need more information?

Ask a question

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Health students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Health students

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.