Master of Palliative Care

Study Palliative Care at UTS

If you’re a healthcare professional looking to advance your skills in palliative care, the UTS Master of Palliative Care is the course for you. Developed and delivered in collaboration with leading contemporary experts, this course equips you with the capabilities to not only become a compassionate and skilled carer, but an advocate for those facing life-limiting illnesses.

Through interdisciplinary education and immersive learning, you’ll be equipped with advanced communication skills, a solid understanding of evidence-based practices, and increased knowledge of cultural safety, ensuring every patient receives personalised care tailored to their unique needs and backgrounds.

In this course, you’ll discover the profound impact of palliative care beyond individual patients, influencing broader societal frameworks and healthcare policies. As a future-focused graduate, you’ll be fully prepared to explore innovative approaches to care delivery, advocating for fair access and quality outcomes across diverse populations.

Part of the Faculty of Health.

As an Australian student, you have the chance to apply for a Commonwealth Supported Place for this course. Find out if you meet the criteria and learn the steps to apply.

Part of the Faculty of Health.

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EXPLORE

Master of Palliative Care

CODE

UTS: C04365 (version 2)

DURATION

1.5 years full time
3 years part time

INTAKE

Autumn Session 2025
Spring Session 2025
Autumn Session 2026
Spring Session 2026

View important dates

COURSE FEES

Indicative total tuition fee for government-supported domestic students
$14,093

Indicative total tuition fee for domestic students
$33,724

LOCATION

City campus

What you’ll study

Designed for health professionals looking to extend their palliative care capabilities to work at an advanced level, this interdisciplinary course equips students with the clinical performance capabilities and critical decision-making and leadership skills required to become a palliative care expert.

Through a blend of theory, simulations and real-world clinical scenarios, you’ll gain an advanced understanding of person-centred care, increase your critical thinking and ethical decision-making skills and gain the tools to become a clinical assessment expert.

Subjects at a glance

Core subjects

Subject Code	Subject Name
96801	Communicating and Collaborating for Optimal Person Centred Care
96802	Delivering Best Palliative Care Any Place Every Time
96803	Complex Symptom Management
96804	Immersive Palliative Care Futures
96806	Translating Evidence into Change
96828	Ethical Dimensions of Palliative Care
96829	Legal Dimensions of Palliative Care
96808	Generating Evidence to Improve Palliative Care Outcomes
96824	Clinical Assessment in Palliative Care
96826	Optimising End-of-Life Communication
96827	Optimising End-of-life Communication within Complex and Diverse Situations
96825	Pharmacology in Palliative Care

See all subjects and majors in the UTS Handbook

Typical course program

The outline below shows an example program for the Master of Palliative Care based on a full-time study load. Please note that your exact program may differ based on your unique circumstances, such as commencement date, part time study and recognition of prior learning.

12

core palliative care subjects
3

electives

First year

You’ll learn effective communication techniques and collaboration strategies essential for providing person-centred palliative care in various settings. You’ll explore evidence-based practices, complex symptom management, and relationship building with patients and families, as well as interdisciplinary team communication.
Second year

In your second year, you’ll become a forward-thinking leader, addressing emerging challenges in palliative care. You’ll analyse factors like an aging population and technological impact, while honing your ethical decision making and research skills for optimal delivery of care.
Third year

In your final year, you will learn advanced end-of-life communication for complex and diverse situations. You’ll focus on clinical assessment techniques, deepen your understanding of pharmacology in the industry, and gain advocacy skills essential for improving palliative care outcomes.

First year

You’ll learn effective communication techniques and collaboration strategies essential for providing person-centred palliative care in various settings. You’ll explore evidence-based practices, complex symptom management, and relationship building with patients and families, as well as interdisciplinary team communication.

Second year

In your second year, you’ll become a forward-thinking leader, addressing emerging challenges in palliative care. You’ll analyse factors like an aging population and technological impact, while honing your ethical decision making and research skills for optimal delivery of care.

Third year

In your final year, you will learn advanced end-of-life communication for complex and diverse situations. You’ll focus on clinical assessment techniques, deepen your understanding of pharmacology in the industry, and gain advocacy skills essential for improving palliative care outcomes.

See typical course program in the UTS Handbook

Course highlights

Analysing situations critically, you’ll learn to reflect on your own actions and decisions, make informed judgements and take responsibility for outcomes. You’ll strengthen your awareness of cultural safety, ensuring that interactions and interventions are culturally appropriate and respectful.

Encouraged to actively engage and apply your learnings, you’ll be equipped with technical knowledge and advanced communication and relationship building skills. You’ll graduate prepared to take on leadership roles in the sector, advocating for others and pushing for change.

Admissions information

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.

You will gain proficiency in person-centred care, navigate complex communication, and understand social justice, law, ethics, and public health. The course prepares you 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.
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.
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 Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA). 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)
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
2025 Indicative tuition fees for government-supported domestic students

This course offers a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). This means the Australian Government contributes to your education costs, and you pay the remaining tuition fees, known as the student contribution. If eligible, you can defer payment through HECS-HELP, or you can choose to pay your fees upfront each session.

CSP applications are reviewed continuously by the university and offered based on merit, so we recommend applying early to be considered. Learn more about applying for a CSP, eligibility and key dates.

2025 Tuition Fees
- Indicative first-year tuition fee: $9,314
- Indicative Total tuition fee: $14,093
Tuition fees are reviewed annually, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year. The total indicative tuition fee includes estimated annual increases over the duration of the course.

Additional Costs

Your tuition fees do not include:
- The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), which supports student services and activities. If eligible, you can defer this fee using SA-HELP.
- Textbooks, materials, and other course-related costs.
- Any applicable payment processing fees (e.g., credit card surcharges).
Important Information
- Fees are shown in Australian Dollars (AUD).
- The indicative tuition fees above are based on full-time study (1 year = 48 credit points).
- Your actual fees depend on the year you enrol, your study load and the subjects you choose. Some subjects fall into different student contribution bands.
- You can calculate your student contribution based on the amounts listed in the student contribution table.
Alumni Advantage Program

As a UTS graduate, you can enjoy a 10% discount on your course fees. Just apply for the course you're interested in, and if you're accepted, the discount will automatically be applied to your enrolment invoice. Learn more about the Alumni Advantage Program.

If you have any questions about course fees, please feel free to make an enquiry.

Information for Masters by Research students: Government-funded scholarship places available

As a recipient of the Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset Scholarship, you do not have to pay tuition fees for up to the maximum period of candidature. However, even with this scholarship, you should expect ongoing costs that aren’t covered, like travel, training, and professional development. These costs can vary for each person, so it’s important to plan accordingly. Additionally, scholarships are available to help with your living expenses.

Important details: The RTP Fees Offset Scholarship covers your tuition fees, but please note that it doesn’t include additional costs related to studying or conducting research. Additional fees for domestic students. For more information visit Research student fees.

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Careers

Your future career

This course will prepare you to be a future leader in palliative care, driving reforms to improve end-of-life care experiences for patients and families. You’ll graduate prepared to take on leadership roles in the sector, or in policy at a local, national or international level, advocating for others and pushing for change.

From focusing on pain management, overseeing treatment plans and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, to helping families navigate the emotional and practical challenges of serious illness, working in palliative care is wide-ranging and meaningful.

Career options

Where you’ll study

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Our degrees combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning and practical placements. You’ll study in world-class learning spaces that mimic professional health environments and get the latest information from experts connected to industry, sporting and healthcare organisations, preparing you for a lifelong career.