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.

Understanding the process of population ageing brings critical advantages to employees in a range of professional sectors, such as the health and social care, research, and the local and national policy sectors.

The MSc Gerontology programme will equip you with academic knowledge in Gerontology, focusing on evidence related to the wellbeing of older people, and with policy knowledge relating to social policies aimed at preparing societies for ageing populations. In addition, the programme will offer you a range of training opportunities in research methods, both quantitative and qualitative.

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

Scholarships, bursaries, sponsorships or grants may be available to support you through your course. Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.