University College London (UCL)
Pain Management MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 18,250 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* international students: part time £18,250 | UK students: part time £9,200. Additional fees may apply
The Pain Management MSc is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of how to assess and treat pain in different settings. The program covers key topics like the science of pain, the psychological and social aspects, and various treatment approaches. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills so students can effectively develop and manage pain treatment plans. The course is suitable for healthcare professionals aiming to deepen their expertise and improve patient outcomes in pain management.
Students can expect a mix of lectures, seminars, and case studies that focus on current research and best practices. The program encourages critical thinking and practical problem-solving, preparing students to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. It also emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches, highlighting how different healthcare roles collaborate to treat pain more effectively. Throughout the course, students will learn about the latest advancements, ensuring they stay up to date with evolving practices in pain care. This MSc provides a solid foundation for those looking to specialize further or advance their careers in pain management.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Master's Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Master's Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or an ethnic or religious background, it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
This programme is delivered via a specially designed digital learning environment, making it accessible to students all over the world. Online small-group tutorials supplement the online learning content.
We offer an optional hybrid workshop every term (three per year) at our Bloomsbury campus / virtually. Students find the additional face-to-face contact with staff very helpful.
UCL and UCL Hospitals (UCLH) Pain Management Centre is internationally renowned. You will learn from global experts at an institution that consistently delivers world-class research output.
Assessments will be done through online coursework, including reflective practice, video presentation, online poster presentations and short written assignments.
The estimated learning hours for this taught master’s programme are 1,800 hours. For example, a 15-credit module should consist of approximately 150 hours of learning and self-study.
For each six-week module, you have approximately two contact hours and two to three self-directed learning hours per week (tutorial sessions once a week, and optional office hours with the programme leaders).
Students are also encouraged to attend optional workshops each term.
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, eight core modules) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, four core modules) is offered.
Modules
Part-time
Part-time students study eight core taught modules, split equally over two academic years and the dissertation research project in the second year.
Year one, Term one:
- Pain and Society
- Acute Pain
Year one, Term two:
- Acute Pain
- Chronic Pain
Year one, Term three:
- Pain in Cancer Patients
Year two, Term one:
- Headache, Paediatrics and Abdominopelvic Pain
- Strategies for the self-management of Pain
Year two, Term two:
- Strategies for the self-management of Pain
- Neuromodulation
Year two, Term three:
- Managing pain in the community
At the end of Year 1, you will have a research/dissertation planning meeting to discuss your interests and preferences. As this course is delivered almost entirely online, we have provisions for students who prefer to conduct their research locally and students who prefer to be more involved with UCL.
This degree is a valuable asset to move you into the field of pain research for two reasons:
- It equips you with the knowledge and higher degree necessary to make such a transition. You will learn the essential concepts, theories and practices of pain modalities and their latest management guidelines.
- UCL/UCLH is a major group in the Pain Research Consortium, and we have a huge research output with lots of PhD work available across a range of pain disciplines.
You will develop transferable skills through individual and group activities, such as online poster presentation, literature review, critical appraisals, essay writing, reflective learning and attending conferences and scientific talks.
Flexible
Those studying flexibly can choose as many or as few modules as they want to complete within five years.
Compulsory modules
- Chronic Pain
- Pain in Cancer Patients
- Managing Pain in the Community
- Neuromodulation
- Strategies for the Self-Management of Pain
- Acute Pain
- Headache, Paediatric and Abdominopelvic Pain
- Pain and Society
- MSc Pain Management Dissertation
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment, and module content and availability are subject to change.
MSc students complete a 180 credit programme: eight core modules (120 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits). Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Pain Management. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Pain Management. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Pain Management.
Placement
A clinical placement is not a required component of the programme. However, for students wishing to see practice in the UK or specialist pain management practice at UCLH, short clinical placements can be arranged. Placements can be taken in Year 2 and forward planning with the course faculty is advisable to ensure you can make the most of the experience. Clinical placements do not impact grades.
What this course will give you
This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.
- The knowledge and opportunities to accelerate your careers in pain management.
- The knowledge and skills required of an advanced pain practitioner. This begins with the socio-economic impact and moves from acute to chronic pain states before arriving at more complex pain conditions and interventions.
- Unique learning opportunities. You will benefit from research-led material from UCLH's internationally renowned experts and world-class expertise on the management of pain in cancer patients and survivors.
- The world's first module on Neuromodulation from the basic science to post-implantation care.
- A flexible distance-learning programme which allows students from across the world to share their experiences and enrich the learning environment.
- Optional workshops with programme tutors are available at the Bloomsbury campus and via Lecturecast.
- Teaching from global experts at an institution that is internationally renowned for cutting-edge research and innovative clinical services.
- Graduates can expect to be academically confident and ideally placed to pursue doctoral (PhD) level study upon completion.
The foundation of your career
Combining academic excellence with UCL's reputation as a top global university and our strong links to industry, the graduate prospects of this programme are excellent.
Whether you wish to continue with patient care, pursue doctoral research, or work in industry and innovation, this programme provides the knowledge and skills, as well as the networking links and research experience, to take your career to the next level.
According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), all the MSc Pain Management graduates who responded were in highly skilled employment after leaving the programme.
Employability
You will graduate with highly valued knowledge and experience and become part of an ever-growing healthcare community with a common interest in the well-being of the practitioner.
This programme is ideal for anyone pursuing a senior clinical position, health management role, research and development or industry career. Possible opportunities include:
- Nurses and allied health professionals wishing to pursue senior (Band 7+) roles in the NHS.
- General practitioners involved in the delivery of integrated community pain services.
- Junior doctors wishing to develop and demonstrate clinical interest in pain management and/or the pain component of training in anaesthesia.
- International doctors wishing to develop their expertise in pain management.
Osteopaths and chiropractors with an interest in pain management.
According to the HESA survey, recent graduates went on to NHS Trusts and university hospitals as physiotherapists or registered specialist nurses, or to a teaching role at a UK university.
Networking
There are many opportunities to network on this programme through our cross-disciplinary departments and research centres. There are regular networking opportunities, including events and workshops, where you can hear from expert speakers. We encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending and participating in conferences.