Palliative Care and Cancer Patients 20 credits

The theoretical and practical issues applicable to the palliation of symptoms for patients with advanced cancer will be studied. The microcredential will look to improve the competence of practitioners delivering high quality palliative care in emotion situations.

The microcredential is divided into three strands, Pain - the practical and holistic management thereof; Psychology, including sessions on cognitive behavioural therapy and screening for psychological distress; and Control of Symptoms such as Cachexia, Breathlessness and Oncological emergencies.

Assessment

Oral presentation and 300 word written assignment

Course dates

Dates for 2025/26 are TBC. The course normally runs in May.

Academics involved in the delivery of this microcredential

• Dr Jennifer Pascoe, Consultant Medical Oncologist
• Dr Lucia Birch, Palliative Care Consultant
• Dr Robin Paijmans
• Dr Helen Guy

Credits

20 credits

Entry requirements if taken as a stand alone course

6 months oncology experience and holding a degree, preferably a 2.1 or equivalent qualifications in an appropriate medical/scientific subject.

For further information, please contact the Programme Administrator
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3803
Email: clinicaloncology@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Fees for 2025/26 entry

Microcredential (Home): £1,211

Microcredential (International): £3,374

Non-credit: £1,011.20

Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?

• Microcredentials offer the perfect opportunity to boost your CV without the commitment of a full degree
• Usually taken from existing modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
• Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
• Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
• Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
• Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.

Please note the deadline for submitting an application:

• Applicants eligible for Home fees are to apply a minimum of 6 weeks before the module start date.
• Applicants eligible for Overseas fees are to apply a minimum of 3 months before the module start date.

Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit short course version.

Non-credit short course

The microcredential and the non-credit short course follow the same course structure, the difference between them both is with the non-credit short course you do not take the assessment at the end therefore you will not receive credits but will receive a certificate of completion, this certificate cannot be converted to credits.

Please note if you apply for the non-credit short course, you cannot swap to the microcredential version once registered.

Places on the non-credit short course are limited so please enquire before if spaces are available.