Performance:

• International approach that is unique in the UK
• Hosted in the internationally renowned research centre, the Centre for Innovative Ageing
• The centre is the largest gerontology research centre in Wales and the second largest in the UK
• The Centre hosts The Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CADR)
• Offers strong national and international links 
• Connections to policy-makers which are unparalleled in other parts of the UK

Teaching and Employability:

• Programme is designed to meet employer needs 
• Encompasses a range of disciplines delivered by subject leaders and experts from around the world
• Opportunities for work placements within local NGO’s (non-Governmental Organisations)

Disclaimer: Module selection options may change.

The field of ageing is becoming increasingly important: Over the last 25 years the UK population aged 65 and over has increased by over 1.5 million.  This is a global trend. According to data from World Population Prospects: the 2017 Revision, the number of older persons; those aged 60 years or over is expected to more than double by 2050 and to more than triple by 2100, rising from 962 million globally in 2017 to 2.1 billion in 2050 and 3.1 billion in 2100. Globally, population aged 60 or over is growing faster than all younger age groups.

The third phase of the Welsh Government’s Strategy for Older People – Living Longer, Ageing Well – runs from 2013 to 2023. Gerontology and Ageing Studies at Swansea looks at policy, practice and application to put you at the forefront of current developments.

Gerontology and Ageing Studies takes a holistic approach. It shifts the central focus from the medical model of ageing, to one that encompasses a range of disciplines including psychology, sociology and demography, viewing ageing more positively. 

Why this course?

The course in Gerontology and Ageing draws on the research and expertise of The Centre of Innovative Ageing (CIA) within the College of Human and Health Sciences. 

The CIA is at the forefront of interdisciplinary work on ageing and provides the infrastructure, focus and leadership for ageing research across the University.  The Centre houses a unique cluster of researchers and lecturers who contribute to each of the postgraduate courses in Gerontology and Ageing studies. 

The course is designed to meet employer needs and prepares students with the knowledge and experience needed to work with older people, design policies, manage and deliver services and manufacture products for an ageing population.

• a UK 2.2 degree or its equivalent
• evidence of recent academic study
• applicants with relevant work experience or professional qualifications may be considered. This includes for example at least two years’ experience in local authorities, health, private and voluntary organisations and industry.
• applications from international students are encouraged. 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.

Applicants are encouraged to visit apply online as this will make it easier to track their progress.

International students can visit www.swansea.ac.uk/international/students/apply for more information or email study@swansea.ac.uk 

Annual tuition fees for entry in the academic year 2019/20 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 on fees and how to pay 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.

Students are likely to encounter additional costs at university. These can include, amongst others:

• buying stationery and equipment, such as USB sticks, etc.
• printing and photocopying
• binding of research projects/ dissertations (approximately £5)

Please note there are no mandatory additional costs specified for this course. 

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

Full-time students 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 comprises 6 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 College MSc catalogue.

The 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 for students looking to study specific areas of interest whilst still obtaining a solid foundation in the principles of gerontology. These options provide the perfect alternative for individuals or employers who want the world-leading education provided by the Centre for Innovative Ageing, but for whom the research project is not integral to their learning experience.

Assessment

All courses are assessed via a written assessment which is supported by a presentation.

Previous graduates from the UK and internationally work across a diverse range of sectors including:

• local/national government
• social worker/social services
• health service
• academic and policy research
• insurance and financial services
• architecture and town planning
• product design and innovation

The College of Human and Health Sciences offers full training in research methodology in addition to the core gerontology education which demonstrate a set of research and analytical skills that are fully transferable and highly desirable to employers.

Although not an assessed component off the course, students are provided with the opportunity to undertake volunteer placements within a local NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation). This enhances the student’s employment options and widens their exposure to the practical field of gerontology. Students who undertake a placement will receive a certificate from the NGO detailing the number of hours of their placement to act as a record for employment and development purposes.

Research undertaken by members of the Centre of Innovative Ageing falls under two broad themes;

• Participation, Social and Supportive Relationships 
• Environments of Ageing

These themes include research areas around:

• Social contagion within communities of practice and place 
• Transnational relationships 
• Social inclusion and connectivity
• Transport, travel, road user safety
• Attitudes towards technology, digital inclusion, acceptability of policy and interventions 
• Working and retirement

MSc research dissertations and subsequent PhD programmes of research are encouraged and supported within each of these themes.

Staff teaching on the MSc Gerontology and Ageing Studies has expertise in at least one of the research themes of the centre. Through the duration of the course staff are rotated to ensure lectures are given by the person with the most knowledge and experienced in that field.

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 

The College of Human and Health Sciences has a vibrant postgraduate community with students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. The College is known for its friendly, welcoming and supportive environment, which combined with its extensive facilities, state-of-the-art technology and superb beachside location, helps to ensure that students benefit from an exceptional student experience. 

Facilities 

In addition, students have access to a wide range of excellent facilities and equipment for realistic workplace experiences find out more here  or take a virtual tour  of the college.