GERONTOLOGY WITH DEMENTIA CARE at University of West of Scotland

OVERVIEW

The MSc in Gerontology with Dementia Care has been created in response to the demographic evolution and the difficulties faced by those living with dementia, their carers and their families.

Dementia affects almost 50 million people worldwide, with a new case of dementia occurring somewhere in the world every 3 seconds. It is estimated that 131.5 million people will be living with dementia by 2050 and this unprecedented rise will create a number of issues affecting health and social care delivery.

The MSc aims to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence of all its participants by introducing debate around our understanding of ageing, the impact of shifting demographics and the integration and globalisation of health and social care with particular focus on the care of people living with dementia, and their current and future care priorities.

* Delivered online but there are optional face-to-face support sessions will be available at our Lanarkshire campus.

MORE INFORMATION

It has been designed to have particular appeal to health and social care professionals and also those professionals who are working in the third sector (i.e. for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises) with older people living with dementia.

Successful completion of this programme will present opportunities to access employment as advanced practitioners, researchers, lecturers and practice development professionals. It is intended for an internationally diverse audience of health, allied health, and social care professionals particularly those who have experience in caring for older people living with dementia.

Teaching Expertise

The teaching staff work within the Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice within the University of the West of Scotland. The Centre and its staff have led a number of national and international projects including being responsible for delivery of the NHS Education Scotland / Scottish Social Service Council's National Dementia Champions teaching.

COURSE DETAILS

Both the MSc in Gerontology with Dementia Care and the related MSc in Gerontology comprise of three stages:

• Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) - involves three, 20-credit modules (total 60 credits)
• Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) - a further three, 20-credit (total 120 credits)
• MSc Dissertation 60-credit module. This takes the form of a rigorous research proposal on a topic of the your choice. This allows you to develop essential skills for research, practice and career enhancement (total 180 credits)

The MSc can typically take between three and five years to complete on a part-time basis.

Jobs

Successful completion of this programme will present opportunities to access employment as senior healthcare professionals. We expect that participants will be promoted during and after their studies within their current workplaces, in a manner similar to that experienced by our other MSc in Gerontology students. There are opportunities to become advanced practitioners, researchers, lecturers and work as practice development professionals.

Further Study

MSc students have the opportunity to continue to doctoral level study if desired.