Overview
Education in palliative care is valued across Europe and also internationally, particularly in resource poor countries. This PhD is the first doctoral programme to be offered globally, and the first to support the education of palliative care professionals - generating knowledge that’s relevant and applicable to their working contexts.
The Division of Health Research is home to the International Observatory on End of Life Care and a number of staff who are internationally recognised experts in this field of study. The PhD in Palliative Care is your chance to work with world-leading academics on the production of a thesis that makes an original contribution to knowledge development within your area of professional practice.
Combining innovative distance learning and an annual Academy held at the University, the programme will help you to gain an understanding of the development of end of life services; movements in different settings and cultures around the world; the models of care that have been adopted; and the issues involved in assessing the impact of these – individually, socially and societally.
This part-time, flexible doctorate runs over a minimum of four and a maximum of seven years. The programme begins with a compulsory five-day Induction Academy at the University. Each of the subsequent academic years start with a compulsory three-day Academy, while the rest of the course is delivered via e-learning. Attendance at the annual Academies is compulsory until you are confirmed on the PhD programme.
Throughout your studies, we will support you as you enhance your leadership skills and effectiveness, and develop advanced skills in research design, practice and dissemination. You’ll foster critical approaches to the review of evidence and improve your written and oral presentation skills.
Your department
Entry Requirements
Academic Requirements
2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant subject and relevant work experience.
We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
Additional Requirements
As part of your application you will also need to provide a 500 word research proposal. Guidance for writing a research proposal can be found on our writing a research proposal webpage.
English Language Requirements
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Fees and Funding
| Part Time (per year) | |
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UK | £3,840 | |
International | £10,000 |
Scholarships and bursaries
At Lancaster, we believe that funding concerns should not stop any student with the talent to thrive.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to help cover the cost of tuition fees and/or living expenses.
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Additional costs
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small which supports the running of college events and activities.
For students starting in 2022, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2023 have not yet been set.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
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Fees in subsequent years
The University will not increase the Tuition Fee you are charged during the course of an academic year.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year's duration, the tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. The way in which continuing students' fee rates are determined varies according to an individual's 'fee status' as set out on our fees webpages.
Studying by blended learning
The PhD in Palliative Care is offered part-time via blended learning. Teaching and research activities are carried out through a combination of face-to-face and online interaction, allowing you to undertake the majority of study from your own location whilst fulfilling your existing responsibilities. You will benefit from being part of a UK and internationally-based peer group working across a range of sectors.
Face-to-face interactions take place at an annual residential autumn Academy while taught modules are delivered via distance learning using our virtual learning environment and include discussion forums, collaborative digital spaces and video conferencing. All students have access to a hub space that facilitates interaction with their cohort and with students on related programmes, creating a virtual information space that’s also sociable. An academic tutor will support you during the taught phase and two supervisors provide you with support in the research phase.
Blended Learning
Course structure
Years 1 and 2
Years 1 and 2 provide you with training in research and in the theory and practice underpinning healthy organizations. Your specialist module in Year 1 is Palliative Care, which is studied alongside the Philosophy of Research, and, Research Design. In Year 2 you will undertake the following modules: Systematic Reviews; Data Analysis; and Advanced Research Planning.
The Palliative Care module examines the historical and comparative perspectives in palliative care policy and practice in different settings and cultures around the world. You will explore how hospice and palliative care have evolved in different resource settings; the models of care that have been adopted; and the issues involved in assessing the impact of these – individually, socially and societally. Through the course of this module you'll gain insight into the field of palliative and end of life care through perspectives and debates within the social sciences. You'll also explore issues associated with the specific concerns of palliative care research. Your studies will relate closely to the ongoing research programmes of the International Observatory on End of Life Care (IOELC), and you'll have access to a unique set of electronic and paper based archives as well as a major library collection of journals, books and grey literature.
The remaining five taught modules (10 weeks each) are taught across programme streams with peers from a range of other backgrounds, but you are encouraged to consider this teaching from the perspective of palliative and end of life care – applying it as you build towards the final module where you fire up your independent research proposal and ethics application.
Years 3+
Years 3 to 4/5 see you undertake a research project in Palliative Care, which will conclude with the submission of your 35,000 word thesis. The project will be supervised from the University but undertaken in your own location or workplace. Supervisions can be via telephone, e-mail or Skype, depending on preference. Face-to-face meetings with your supervisors will take place during the annual academy.
We aim to provide an opportunity for students - many of whom are working in hospice and palliative care services of various kinds - to develop a critical orientation and a portfolio of skills relating to research and evaluation in the field. We encourage the development of general skills that will be of use throughout the programme. These include critical engagement with reading materials, the ability to effectively synthesise materials, and to use research evidence critically in supporting your arguments.

Dr Lynn Bassett, PhD Palliative Care graduate
"Blended learning offered me an opportunity for doctoral study. However, distance learning has its challenges; it demands self-motivation and determination in a process that is conducted, mostly, alone. Autumn Academies provided bases for networking and peer support and I value greatly the firm friendships made across international and interdisciplinary boundaries. In the last year, I emerged with a new thirst for excellence, greater humility, clarity of thought and confidence in my thesis. The persistence and hard work paid off; I have achieved, I have grown, I am changed."
The Division of Health Research
The Division of Health Research have been offering blended learning postgraduate programmes since 2010. We have many successful graduates and currently around 200 continuing students on a range of programmes who have benefited in progressing their careers from the high quality postgraduate education we provide.
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Our research in ageing
Finding solutions to the major global challenges of disease prevention and care for an ageing population.
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International Observatory on End of Life Care
High quality cutting edge research and innovative educational programmes to improve palliative and end of life care for patients and family carers.
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Centre for Ageing Research
Interdisciplinary research and promotes research-led teaching around ageing, older people and age-related disease.
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Athena Swan: gender equality at Lancaster
We hold the Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our commitment to advancing the careers of women in higher education and research.
Important Information
The information on this site relates primarily to 2022/2023 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.