Gerontology and Ageing Studies, MSc / PGDip / PGCert

You will follow a combination of compulsory and optional modules, depending on the level of qualification you are studying. These cover themes including population ageing and theoretical perspectives on ageing. Masters students also complete a dissertation.

Throughout your studies, you will examine critically policy and practice initiatives that deal with issues in relation to health and consider the types of research methods best suited to conducting research into ageing.

To apply for this course you will need:

• A UK 2.2 degree or its equivalent.
• Evidence of recent academic study.
• We will consider you if you have relevant work experience or professional qualifications. This includes for example at least two years’ experience in local authorities, health, private and voluntary organisations and industry.
• International students are required to have a minimum of IELTS 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in all domains, in English Language or a University approved equivalent, prior to starting the course.
• The University provides English Language tuition to prepare international students for study.

The course is offered on a full-time or part-time basis. 

If you are a full-time student, you will normally complete six modules and submit their dissertation by the end of the first year.

Part-time students will normally take two years to complete six modules, and one further year to complete the dissertation.

There is also the option for part-time students to complete the programme in two years.

The MSc in Gerontology and Ageing Studies includes six modules (120 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).

Four compulsory modules (20 credits each) cover the context of population ageing and explore theoretical perspectives on ageing.

These critically examine policy and practice initiatives that deal with issues in relation to health and consider the types of research methods that can be adopted in conducting ageing research.

Each module provides the opportunity to explore cutting-edge debates and issues on ageing in a global context.

Post-Graduate Certificate and Diploma Options

These courses, similar to the MSc, can also be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

Certificate students will take three modules totalling 60 credits, comprising two compulsory modules and one optional module selected from the MSc in Gerontology catalogue.

Diploma students will complete the same 120 credits as the MSc but will not be required to complete the 60 credit dissertation. 

Both options are flexible if you are looking to study specific areas of interest whilst still obtaining a solid foundation in the principles of gerontology.

Assessment

There are no exams. All courses are assessed via a variety of written assessments, many of which are supported by a presentation.

If you are a Welsh speaker our dedicated academy, Academi Hywel Teifi, is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We offer you:

• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh - we will then communicate with you in your language of choice.
• The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and every effort will be made to mark your work in its original language.
• A Welsh-speaking personal tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.

Since 2011, there has been a 40% increase in the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh at Swansea University and our TEF* data over the last two years shows that Welsh-medium students are high achievers in regards to employability (*Swansea University TEF return 2017 and 2018).

Key teaching staff includes:

• Prof Vanessa Burholt (Centre Director) – Support network typologies, international ageing, migration, rurality
• Dr Christine Dobbs (Programme Director & Module Leader) – Transgender ageing, death and dying, power and hierarchy, ethics
• Andrew Dunning (Module Leader) – Elder abuse, advocacy, intergenerational relationships, citizenship
• Dr Peter King (Module Leader) – Research methodologies
• Dr Sarah Hillcoat-Nallétamby (Module Leader) – Housing, intergenerational relations, population ageing
• Dr Ruth Hopkins (Module Leader) – Socio-economic public health, health protection, environmental health, health and ageing' 
• Dr Charles Musselwhite (Module Leader) – Traffic and transport, mobility, urban design, rural communities, age friendly communities, technology, public policy
• Dr Martin Hyde (Module Leader) - Work, retirement and international ageing 

Annual tuition fees for entry in the academic year 2020/21 are as follows:

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

International students and part-time study: It is now possible for some students to study part-time under the Tier 4 visa route. This is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category. Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but are not limited to):

• Parking and travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Printing and binding
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Careers and Employability Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future, or build upon your current role to further your career or embark upon a new direction.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Please apply through the University’s central application system.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.