Discover why our students choose to study pain management online.
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This course is available to be studied in several different study modes, including online or face-to-face. Check study modes offered in the 'course details’ section below.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of the face-to-face version of this course, and this will be available for students to study face-to-face or remotely in 2022. For the latest updates on course availability, visit the COVID-19 information page.
About this course
The Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) provides advanced education in pain management for graduates in medicine, dentistry, nursing, physiotherapy, psychology and other disciplines involved in pain management. This course is offered in the form of online distance education mode and you may complete the course full-time or part-time.
This course is offered through our interactive online learning environment, giving you the flexibility to tailor your study schedule around your lifestyle.
All stream specific units are online. You may find however; a couple of electives do have a face-to-face component. These can be avoided depending on your individual preferences.
In 2014 the program was endorsed by the International Association for the Study of Pain, the leading international scientific body representing and supporting about 8000 pain scientists and clinicians around the world.
Currently, completion of the Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) is the only recognised academic pathway to becoming a titled Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Pain Physiotherapist. This is due to the way the course is uniquely mapped against the IASP interprofessional curriculum for the study of pain.
The course is also recognised for Continuing Medical Education/Maintenance of Professional Standards Program points by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this course for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSP places are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
For further information please contact us at paineducation.admin@sydney.edu.au or call +61 2 9463 1516.
The Orofacial Pain Pathway is available to the Master of Medicine (Pain Management).
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission criteria’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Semester 1 – 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 – 15 July of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Semester 1 – 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 – 25 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) degree, students complete 48 credit points of coursework.
The coursework comprises:
which are normally undertaken part-time over two years. This course is taught online.
Explore the Medicine and Health Postgraduate Handbook to learn more about what you will study as part of this degree:
Registered students are provided with a username and password that allows them to access a protected course website. The website provides study guides with lecture notes as well as extracts from relevant journals and text books. Interactive multimedia tutorials are also provided in some units of study.
Computer conferencing allows students and staff to maintain regular contact.
Students may also attend an optional two-week course held in February each year at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. Assessment is by essays, case studies and online activities. Marks are also given for the contribution students make to online discussion.
A successful applicant for admission to the Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) will hold:
In exceptional circumstances, the faculty may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the school, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award. Please be advised that a statement of intent is a mandatory document for this program.
For a statement of intent, please specify the reason(s) why you would like to apply for this program and how do you think it will be beneficial to you after completing the program.
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
The course is recognised for Continuing Medical Education/Maintenance of Professional Standards Program points by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
Our degree program has been endorsed by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).
The Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of health care professionals and thus improve the services offered to patients in pain. This course is not a pathway to specialist qualification. However, it is acknowledged that the course provides an excellent preparation for the Fellowship exam of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
