As the global population ages and grows, so too does the number of deaths in the world each year. With this comes new patterns of ageing and dying, but access to good quality end of life care varies enormously around the world.

On this degree, you’ll explore issues surrounding where, how, and when we die. You’ll learn about varying cultural beliefs surrounding what makes a good death, and consider global attempts to improve end of life care. Using examples of legalised assisted dying, you’ll consider the debates and issues of end of life care from a social science and humanities perspective.

Degree structure

This degree is comprised of six core 20 credit programmes and a final 60 credit dissertation programme.

The Masters will take three years in the first instance to complete with a maximum of six years being allowed.

This MSc has PGCertificate and PGDiploma exit points available. The maximum duration of the PGCertificate and PGDiploma is four years for completion.

Career Outlook

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. We envisage a rich online learning community on the degree, made up not only of practitioners, but also social activists, those working in artistic and cultural media, as well as people pursuing their own personal development on a matter of pressing human interest.

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

Pricing

Tuition fees for January 2024 and April 2024 start:

• MSc: £13,650 (£1,517 per 20 credits)

• PgDip: £9,100 (£1,517 per 20 credits)

• PgCert: £4,550 (£1,517 per 20 credits)

Tuition fees for September 2024, January 2025 and April 2025 start:

• MSc: £14,300 (£1,589 per 20 credits)

• PgDip: £9,533 (£1,589 per 20 credits)

• PgCert: £4,767 (£1,589 per 20 credits)

• Incremental payment schedule available; our programme is flexible in payment plans and structure.

• Students can either make the entire payment for the degree up front or pay for the individual courses as they take them.

• The price per course can further be split into smaller payments, and students can either enrol in Direct Debit or manual payments.

• We also accept sponsorship from employers or financial aid should it be available.

Try a free taster course

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

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.