Overview

The Postgraduate Certificate in Palliative Care is a part-time, blended learning programme that runs over one academic year (nine months) from the date of first registration for the programme. There is no work placement element to the Postgraduate Certificate in Palliative Care.

Note: In accordance with UCC's policy on Recognition of Prior Learning, a student who has successfully completed modules for Continuous Professional Development within the Postgraduate Certificate in Palliative Care programme, may apply for exemptions for modules taken within the previous five years.

Progression to the Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Following successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Palliative Care, a student may progress to the Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care. Following successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care, and subject to the approval of the programme team, a student may progress to the MSc (Palliative Care), with exemptions granted for modules already taken in the Postgraduate Certificate and the Postgraduate Diploma within the previous 5 years.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1
Students take 30 credits as follows - all listed core modules (20 credits)and 10 credits of elective modules: 1
Core Modules
IP6007	Philosophy, Development and Principles of Palliative Care	10
IP6008	Interprofessional Approaches to Pain and Symptoms in Palliative Care	10
Elective Modules 2
Students take modules to the value of 10 credits from the following:		10
CG6016	Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10) 3
EH6160	Qualitative Research in Public Health (5)
IP6009	Psychosocial and Spiritual Aspects of Palliative Care (5)
IP6010	Care of the Dying Patient, Grief and Bereavement (10) ((not on offer in 2023/24))
IP6013	Pharmacotherapeutics in Palliative Care (5)
MH6016	Advance Care Planning (5) 3
MH6032	Effective Communication in Healthcare (5)
NU6053	Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-making in Practice (5)
Total Credits		30

¹

The choice of modules is subject to the approval of the Programme Director.

²

It may be that not all modules listed above will be offered each year.

³

Students can take MH6016 or CG6016 but not both.

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Palliative Care (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Explain the principles of palliative care.
  
• Describe levels and settings of palliative care within healthcare systems.
  
• Recognise the importance of collaboration with healthcare professionals from a wide range of disciplines when providing care to people with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses.
  
• Reflect on the importance of communication with patients, families and other healthcare professionals in palliative care.
  
• Discuss the challenges of providing palliative care in a range of malignant and non-malignant diseases.
  
• Consider general approaches within and beyond their discipline to assessment and management of common problems encountered by people with palliative care needs and their families.
  
• Demonstrate an awareness of the concept of Total Pain by applying a holistic approach to the assessment and management of pain and other symptoms.
  
• Critically compare the traditional biomedical care model with the palliative care approach.
  
• Value the concepts of self-awareness and the importance of self-care as a healthcare professional.