Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF), in association with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), delivers two master’s courses: MSc Loss & Bereavement and MSc Loss & Bereavement (Clinical Practice).

Learn about loss, death, and bereavement in a supportive environment and equip yourself with the skills to provide appropriate grief supports in your communities, workplaces, and professional practices.

Applications are open now until May 31st for the MSc Loss & Bereavement and MSc Loss & Bereavement (Clinical Practice) courses commencing September 2025.

Visit IHF’s website to learn more, register for our open evening, and apply.

Why are these postgraduate courses important?

IHF recognises that loss and bereavement are core life experiences for everyone. Whilst they have been the subject of major scientific and social study over the past 30 years, the application of our new knowledge and clinical skills often lags behind.

These postgraduate courses have been designed to impact on health, social and community systems, and ultimately enhance quality of life. They are evidence-based, rooted in contemporary scientific research and clinical skills, designed against a policy and professional regulation backdrop.

Who are these postgraduate courses for?

MSc Loss & Bereavement applications are invited from candidates from a wide range of professional disciplines who wish to develop a deeper understanding of loss and grief at individual and societal levels or whose work/volunteering roles involve the organisation of bereavement support in the community, health, or other areas of general bereavement care. We welcome applications from a diverse range of professionals, including chaplains, bereavement midwives, social workers, nurses, doctors, teachers, and emergency first responders, among others.

MSc Loss & Bereavement (Clinical Practice) applications are invited from mental health professionals (such as counsellors, psychotherapists, and psychologists), and others who design and implement clinical bereavement interventions as part of their practice. Practitioners must be accredited by a recognised body (e.g., PSI, IACP, or IAHIP).

Please note: These are not the only roles we consider. We are open to applicants from a variety of backgrounds and occupations who hold a level 8 degree with a minimum 2:2 award.

Course Details

Fees: €5,000 per year. Payment plans are available on request.

Blended learning: Classes take place both online and face-to-face.

Accreditation: These programmes are accredited by RCSI and the National University of Ireland (NUI) as Level 9 qualifications.

Open Evening

Join our online Open Evening on Thursday, March 27th at 7:00 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn more about the MSc courses, meet lecturers and a past student, and ask questions.

Register on Eventbrite.

Apply Now

Applications are open now until May 31st. For more details and how to apply, visit: https://hospicefoundation.ie/masters

Questions?

If you have a query regarding the MSc Loss & Bereavement or MSc Loss & Bereavement (Clinical Practice), please email: MScEnquiries@hospicefoundation.ie.

RCN: 20013554