Gerontology

Entry requirements

Upper second-class degree or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University; applicants without formal qualifications but with relevant experience considered.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Gerontology is the study of ageing at the individual and societal levels. It examines the changes humans undergo as they age, as well as the impact of growing proportions of older people on social institutions, labour markets, welfare systems and families. It investigates the relationships between generations and the interconnections between our older and younger selves. Insights are taken from social policy, demography, sociology, biology, healthcare sciences, psychology and economics. Gerontology is thus a fundamentally interdisciplinary subject which leads to a fascinating variety of careers.

PGCert

The innovative PGCert programme offers interdisciplinary education in the study of gerontology and will prepare you for a wide range of careers working with older people. You will develop specialist knowledge in social, demographic and economic issues, theoretical perspectives on gerontology and national and international policy and practice in adult and elder care services. You may take up to two modules from the distance learning (DL) postgraduate programme in gerontology.

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as a part-time postgraduate certificate (PGCert), you'll usually study over 2 years.

MSc

This innovative MSc offers interdisciplinary education in the study of gerontology and will prepare you for a wide range of careers working with older people. You will develop specialist knowledge in social, demographic and economic issues, theoretical perspectives on gerontology and national and international policy and practice in adult and elder care services. You may take up to two modules from the distance learning (DL) postgraduate programme in gerontology.

Information for international students

If your first language or language of education is not English, we will ask you to show evidence of fluency in the use of English. For all of our postgraduate programmes we require a level of IELTS 6.5. For details of other English language tests which we accept, please see the International students section of our website where you will find a list of approved tests.

Fees and funding

A variety of scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations. Please check the website for more information.