• Postgraduate

Dementia Studies: Contemporary Approaches to Practice MSc

Overview

Overview

Dementia Studies: Contemporary Approaches to Practice is an interdisciplinary course that offers cutting-edge knowledge about dementia and developments in care and service provision.

The course is designed for all those involved in the delivery of health and social care for people living with dementia. Undertaking the course will help you gain the specialist knowledge you will need to become an effective leader in dementia care.

Dementia is a global priority and identified by the World Health Organisation as the 21st century's biggest health and social challenge.  It is estimated that 55 million people have dementia worldwide, and the growing number of people living with dementia has an extensive societal and economic impact.

More importantly, dementia has a significant personal impact on individuals and their families. It is therefore essential that we build a workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge to plan, lead and deliver services for contemporary and future populations.

Key areas of study:

  • psychological and social perspectives of dementia
  • global aspects of dementia and its impact on society
  • contemporary approaches to the assessment and treatment of dementia
  • evidence-based interventions for the delivery of dementia care and services
  • models of service delivery in health and social care
  • research methods and critical appraisal skills
  • leadership and change management in practice.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Dementia Studies: Contemporary Approaches to Practice with us?

Why study Dementia Studies: Contemporary Approaches to Practice with us?

What our students say…

The lecturers are fantastic and I don't think I would get as many work experience opportunities at any other university.

Harry Poulter
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Industry focused teaching
Work with artists, designers and scientists to help people with dementia.
Access to Perlego
Lifelong careers support from the UWL Careers Service.
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

The MSc course can be completed in one year on a full-time study basis or in two-to-four years on a part-time study basis. It comprises six core modules and a 12-month dissertation module. Modules run sequentially throughout the academic year and consist of 6-week learning blocks. Teaching takes place on a Tuesday, with Week 2 being an intense teaching week (Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5 pm). The course structure is designed to offer flexibility in learning and has two intakes per year (September and February).

You can enrol to undertake any of the following three academic qualifications or complete the core modules as individual continuing professional development (CPD) courses (20 credits each). The three awards are:

  1. PG Cert – 60 credits (3 modules)
  2. PG Dip – 120 credits (6 modules)
  3. MSc – 180 Credits (6 modules + dissertation)

The MSc Dementia Studies: Contemporary Approaches to Practice is designed to help you develop a critical understanding of dementia. The course allows for greater insight into the experience of people living with dementia, their families and the people who care for them.

You will learn about theoretical perspectives, research and practice-based evidence underpinning dementia care and service design across health and social care settings. You will have opportunities to explore and create evidence-based solutions for leading positive changes in practice and improving the lives of people with dementia and their families. Our goal is to empower you to become a progressive leader in dementia care practice and service management. 

The course is based within the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory (GIAM) at UWL. Our staff are all leaders in dementia research and have substantial experience working and teaching in academic and practice-based settings. The course has been designed to utilise their expertise and offer a range of skills and experiences to support your learning and development as a leader in the field of dementia care.

To ensure the quality of the course, we regularly review our modules in partnership with our MSc Dementia Studies Advisory Group. Members of the Advisory Group are people living with dementia, family carers, academics, and practitioners.

The MSc course offers a blended learning approach consisting of classroom teaching, online learning, guided study and self-directed learning. Teaching is delivered by academics, clinicians, family carers and people with lived experience of dementia.

Module assessments have been designed to be authentic and reflect ‘real-world’ tasks required in a contemporary workplace. There is a mix of oral, written, and practical assessments throughout the course.

Compulsory modules

  • Dementia Policy and Influences in Practice

    This module aims to examine the underlying principles theories, concepts, policies, and practices that underpin the organisation and delivery of dementia care.

    Dementia is a national and global priority due to its substantial personal, relational, and societal impact. People living with dementia have complex health and social care needs and require increasing levels of support and care as dementia progresses. Successful implementation of person-centred care and relationship-centred care requires practitioners to be equipped with knowledge and skills and be empowered to deliver high-quality care often within impoverished care environments. In addition, progressive efforts to innovate, promote quality and integrate care are impacted on by the reality of resource constraints.

    National and global strategies aim to improve the lives of people with dementia, their families and the people who care for them while decreasing the impact of dementia on communities and countries. The module will provide a supportive and academically challenging environment within which students will develop a critical understanding of how policies have helped shape the delivery of services. We will also examine how policy is informed and draws upon evidence-based practice and the findings from research activities.

    This Dementia Policy and Influences in Practice module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

  • Global Perspectives in Dementia

    This module explores global and national perspectives of dementia and dementia care provisions in the UK and across the world.

    It examines the evidence underpinning the challenges that face different nations and relevant policy approaches (e.g. by the WHO, OECD, national dementia strategies) taken to address pertinent issues such as those related to dementia diagnosis, treatment, care, and support.

    This module provides a supportive and intellectually challenging environment within which students develop a critical awareness of dementia in a global context.

    This Global Perspectives in Dementia module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

  • Dementia: Culture and Society

    This module examines dementia in the broader context of contemporary multicultural society, as well as the lived experiences of dementia across diverse biological/ physical, and psychosocial domains.

    The module focuses on key topics, including dementia patterns and trends, beliefs and perceptions about dementia across different cultural and social groups (e.g. ethnic, LGBTQI+, young/older adult, learning disability, rural and travelling communities), major theoretical frameworks health and social care provision for people living with dementia and other long-term conditions, health and social inequalities, work and economic security across the lifespan.

    This module will provide a supportive and intellectually challenging environment within which you will develop a critical awareness of dementia in a contemporary context.

    This Dementia: culture and society module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

  • Evidence-based Approaches to Dementia in Health and Social Care

    This module requires you to analyse and evaluate different approaches to dementia in health and social care settings and to formulate innovative ideas for how these can be used now and, in the future, to support people with dementia to live well.

    This Evidence-based Approaches to Dementia in Health and Social Care module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

  • Research Methods in Dementia

    This module aims to deliver a thorough understanding of major paradigms, concepts, principles, and methods underpinning primary and secondary research of real-world problems affecting individuals living with dementia and other vulnerable populations (e.g. family carers).

    An appreciation of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research designs, various data collection methods, and ethical considerations will be developed throughout this module. This includes complying with legislation, such as data protection and mental capacity.

    The module will provide a supportive and intellectually challenging environment within which students quickly develop a critical understanding of a range of research skills and how to apply them in different dementia research and evidence-based practice contexts.

    This Research Methods in Dementia module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

  • Leadership and Innovation in Dementia Care

    This module ensures you appreciate a critical understanding of how to support people living with dementia to live well, upholding their dignity, sense of self, human rights, and independence. This includes acquiring skills in supporting staff to provide good quality care for people living with dementia and their families (e.g. educational interventions), and being an innovative leader in dementia care services by understanding leadership and management styles.

    Designing, managing and improving dementia specific services in primary, secondary and tertiary care is a key aim of this module. This is done with the inclusion of key stakeholders (people living with dementia, their families and professional care staff views) and the use of assistive technologies and digital innovations; thereby developing and implementing change in dementia care.

    This Leadership and Innovation in Dementia Care module can also be studied independently as a continuing professional development course.

  • Project Dissertation

    This module empowers you through the implementation of a literature review and writing a dissertation. You will demonstrate proficiency in critically understanding relevant issues and knowledge on your chosen topic area, consider the many types of implications to your work and the wider world, and express this in writing in a systematic way. 

    The aim of the dissertation is to contribute to the understanding and development of best dementia care practice. It should enable you to critically reflect on your own and future practices. The project topic will have been chosen in discussion with your dissertation supervisor.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or equivalent in a related subject (such as nursing, occupational therapy, social work, psychology, or similar) and relevant work experience (such as health, social, independent, or voluntary sector care). Or you may be planning a career working in or leading dementia care services.

If you do not have a 2.2 Honours degree or international equivalent in a related subject, then we may offer you a place based on relevant work experience and training in dementia care. 

All applications are considered individually.

 

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

6.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement of 6.5 overall score for IELTS, with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents.

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements. Find out more about our English Language courses.

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for biomedical science students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

 Dr Laura Cole Profile Photo

Dr Laura Cole

Dr Laura Cole is a Senior Lecturer and Course Lead for the MSc in Dementia Studies: Contemporary Approaches to Practice. She is also Co-Lead for the DEfIN-YD Project (engaging people living with young onset dementia in research).

She has a background in psychology and has worked with older people living with cognitive problems and dementia for over twenty years in various clinical, care and research settings.

Laura was co-applicant for an Alzheimer’s Society-funded study exploring the views and experiences of people living with dementia and their family carers on residential respite services. Her previous dementia care research investigated the timing of a move to a care home, continence management (or problems using the toilet) for people living at home and the effectiveness of reminiscence art groups for people living in care homes.

Laura is President Elect and Honorary Treasurer of the Geriatric and Gerontology section at the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the editorial board for Dementia: Journal of International Social Research and Practice. She is also a member of HEDN (Higher Education for Dementia Network) and INTERDEM (a pan-European network of dementia care researchers).

Dr Laura Cole is a Senior Lecturer and Course Lead for the MSc in Dementia Studies: Contemporary Approaches to Practice. She is also Co-Lead for the DEfIN-YD Project (engaging people living with young onset dementia in research).

She has a background in psychology and has worked with older people living with cognitive problems and dementia for over twenty years in various clinical, care and research settings.

Laura was co-applicant for an Alzheimer’s Society-funded study exploring the views and experiences of people living with dementia and their family carers on residential respite services. Her previous dementia care research investigated the timing of a move to a care home, continence management (or problems using the toilet) for people living at home and the effectiveness of reminiscence art groups for people living in care homes.

Laura is President Elect and Honorary Treasurer of the Geriatric and Gerontology section at the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the editorial board for Dementia: Journal of International Social Research and Practice. She is also a member of HEDN (Higher Education for Dementia Network) and INTERDEM (a pan-European network of dementia care researchers).

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

3 students in a lecture room with laptops

Successful completion of the course will provide health and social care professionals with specialist knowledge and leadership skills in dementia care. This expertise can help improve employment prospects and enhance the likelihood of career progression in dementia related services.

In addition, for students interested in developing a research career or conducting further study, we have a doctoral programme and offer PhDs in Ageing Research and Dementia Studies . Doctoral study at UWL will help you develop the skills you need to work as a successful researcher. 

How to apply

How to apply

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.