Gerontology

Entry requirements

A Master's degree in a subject appropriate to the research area.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The Institute of Gerontology at King's College London is one of the leading gerontological research and teaching centres world-wide. Founded in 1986, the Institute is at the vanguard of multi-disciplinary research and teaching, acting as a bridge between the social and clinical sciences.

The objectives of the Institute are to:

• Engage in state of the art research into the demographic, sociological, psychological, financial and institutional processes of adult ageing.
• Provide multidisciplinary, research-led education and research training for both clinical and social scientists, including practitioners in health, social care, government and the voluntary sector.
• Engage critically with social policy issues for the benefit of older people both nationally and internationally.

The Institute's inter-disciplinary nature is reflected in its broad research sponsorship base; it has received funding from UK Research Councils (i.e. ESRC, MRC, EPSRC & AHRB), from many of the charities concerned with the welfare of older people and from government (including the Department for Work and Pensions & the Department of Health).

Our research is focused on three core areas:

1. Ageing policy, health and healthcare: investigating what factors lead to better physical, mental and social health in later life and how health services throughout the lifecourse can be optimised to improve health and well-being at older ages.;
2. Communities, work and family life: examining how changes in work, the environment and family life have affected the lives of older people and how government policies impact on intergenerational relations; and
3. Global ageing: studying how governments should be preparing for the rapid ageing of populations around the world and how changes in family and community structures impact on support, housing, health and care in later life.

The translational value of our research can be seen in independent critical analysis and advice given to Government, NGOs including the WHO, and to professional groups including Medicine, Nursing, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Architecture, Engineering and Law. Advice to overseas academic institutions has also been given to help promote the study of Gerontology worldwide. At the Institute, research is central to our work. It helps maintain our position at the forefront of gerontology and at the same time helps to enrich the learning experience of our students. Encouraging the development of doctoral research is a central part of our research activity. Our MPhil/PhD Gerontology programme will enable you to develop an area of research in great depth and help you become a leading expert in your own right.