Study a part-time, online PhD in palliative care
The PhD in Palliative Care at Lancaster University is a flexible, part-time doctoral programme designed for people who want to make an original contribution to palliative and end-of-life care research without stepping away from their current role or existing commitments.
Delivered primarily online, the programme combines expert academic supervision, structured research training and optional face-to-face academies, making it suitable for students based across the UK and internationally.
About our PhD in Palliative Care
Palliative care research is increasingly important and timely. Ageing populations, rising rates of chronic and life-limiting illness, and growing recognition of the importance of patients' quality of life are driving the need for evidence-based approaches to improve care, symptom management, and support for patients and their families.
It is imperative, therefore, that people working in the field can make decisions about care, service organisation and policy that are rooted in the best possible research-based evidence.
Our PhD in Palliative Care will equip you with the skills to undertake research in this rapidly evolving, sensitive and increasingly high-profile field.
It is ideal for people who want a firm research grounding to enable them to develop in their current roles or explore new opportunities in palliative care education, research, management, policy and advocacy.
Whether you are looking to enter or progress in the hospice, palliative care, or end-of-life care sectors or have an ambition to become a researcher, your PhD will equip you with the highly transferable skills and knowledge to guide policy and practice in palliative care or more broadly.
Clinical experience is not a requirement for this PhD.
Why choose Lancaster University for a PhD in palliative care?
At Lancaster University, we have built a strong international reputation for palliative and end-of-life care research, with our International Observatory on End-of-Life Care bringing together academics from multiple disciplines to address complex challenges and improve palliative and end-of-life care for patients and family carers.
Reasons to choose Lancaster for your PhD in Palliative Care
- Flexible online study that fits around professional or personal commitments
- Supervision from internationally recognised palliative care researchers with over 15 years' experience of delivering quality online education
- A structured programme combining taught research methods with independent doctoral research
- Join a global network of like-minded students
About our palliative care research
The International Observatory on End-of-Life Care at Lancaster University conducts interdisciplinary research to improve palliative and end-of-life care for people with advanced illness and their families.
Researchers use a wide range of methods, including:
- Qualitative interviews and focus groups to explore patients', families', and professionals' experiences
- Quantitative surveys and epidemiological analyses to examine patterns of care and outcomes
- Mixed-methods studies; systematic reviews and evidence synthesis
- The development and evaluation of complex interventions, including using a range of trial designs
This work is supported by a range of grants from national and international funders including Horizon Europe, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and charitable funders.
Our research is often international and cross-cultural, drawing from areas such as implementation science and policy evaluation to inform clinical practice, education, and health policy.
Collaboration is central to our approach. We work alongside communities, with a strong emphasis on person-centred, evidence-based care.
Who will you be taught by on our Palliative Care PhD?
Our PhD in Palliative Care is delivered by academics from Lancaster University's International Observatory on End-of-Life Care (IOELC), a multidisciplinary community of researchers specialising in palliative care, health services research, and applied healthcare.
The Observatory includes several world-leading academics whose research influences understanding and perspectives on the knowledge, theory and practice of end-of-life care.
Throughout your PhD programme you will receive individual supervision from two supervisors while becoming part of a wider research community committed to improving palliative and end-of-life care through evidence-based research.
What will you learn?
Our PhD in Palliative Care combines formal research training with independent doctoral research over four to seven years of part-time study.
Years 1 and 2
During the first two years, you'll complete online taught modules that will develop the theoretical knowledge and methodological skills you need for doctoral research.
Topics include:
- Palliative care theory and practice
- Research philosophy
- Research design
- Systematic reviews
- Data analysis
- Research ethics
- Advanced research management
Years 3 and beyond
From the third year onwards, your focus will shift to an original research project that addresses an important issue within your professional or academic area of interest.
Your research can usually be carried out within your own workplace or local setting while receiving regular online supervision through Microsoft Teams and meeting supervisors during annual academies.
By graduation, you'll have developed expertise in:
- Independent research design
- Critical evaluation of palliative care evidence
- Advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Academic writing and publication
- Producing original research that contributes new knowledge to the field of palliative care
How will you learn?
The PhD in Palliative Care at Lancaster University is delivered primarily online, allowing you to study alongside your professional and personal commitments.
In the first two years, you'll complete online research training through interactive modules covering palliative care theory, research methods and research skills such as presenting and critical appraisal.
Alongside this, you'll receive regular one-to-one supervision from experienced academics via Microsoft Teams.
These two years are common across the range of PhDs that we offer, which also include:
You will therefore also build a connection with students studying on these courses, too.
The course begins with a five-day induction academy at our Lancaster campus. This event is a great opportunity to build your network of fellow students and meet your supervisors face-to-face. While we strongly encourage you to attend in person to gain the full benefit of this event, joining online is possible if you are unable to travel.
As you progress, the focus shifts to independent research, enabling you to develop an original doctoral project with ongoing support from your supervisory team.
