Skip to main navigation Skip to main content
The University of Southampton
×
Ageing & Gerontology Part of Economic, Social & Political Science

PG Dip Global Ageing and Policy (Distance Learning)

The PG Diploma in Global Ageing and Policy is made up of 6 taught modules, and is designed to provide students with an introduction both to the opportunities and challenges posed by ageing, and to the principles of policy evaluation in ageing societies. It is aimed at mid-career professionals working in government departments around the world or non-governmental organisations tasked with promoting older people’s wellbeing, who wish to enhance their skills and knowledge without conducting independent research as part of the MSc Dissertation.

Introducing your degree

Older people around the world are increasingly contributing to policy solutions improving the wellbeing of all individuals in society. This programme offers you a critical introduction in the area of ageing and a specialisation in the evaluation of policies relating to ageing societies. Following the successful completion of this programme, you are welcome to continue your studies on the MSc Global Ageing and Policy (DL) programme, opening doors to an exciting range of career trajectories in policy-making, research or health and social care.

The programme aims to provide you with:

  • critical appreciation of the key theoretical perspectives within Gerontology and their application in the analysis of specific issues concerning ageing and the lifecourse
  • understanding of contemporary debates within Gerontology concerning the lives of older people, their families and society, in both developed and developing countries
  • specialised learning of ageing and its policy implications in less developed regions of the world
  • critical skills in the evaluation of policies and programmes in ageing societies
  • competence in qualitative or quantitative research methods and their application to key research questions
  • preparation for a career in the field of gerontology and applied health and social sciences

View the programme specification for this course for 2018/19 entrants

View the programme specification for this course for 2019/20 entrants

Key Facts

What is gerontology?

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. The study of ageing also investigates the relationships between generations and the interconnections between individuals’ experiences over the lifecourse. The postgraduate programme on ageing draws on a range of disciplines including social policy, demography, sociology, biology, health sciences, psychology and economics.

Typical entry requirements

Selection process

Typical entry requirements

We welcome applications from students holding, or expecting to hold, an upper second-class honours degree or higher, or equivalent.
Students without the usual entry qualifications may be admitted, with the requisite approval, on the basis of relevant work experience or professional qualifications. Mature applicants without formal qualifications but with relevant experience are also welcomed and will be considered.
For all applications, two academic references are required. Unfortunately, we cannot consider applications until we have received both references.

If you require further English language tuition before commencing your programme with us, you may apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses which are run by the Centre for Language Study .

Visit our International Office website or the NARIC website for further information on qualifications.

This page contains specific entry requirements for this course. Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country.

Typical course content

PG Diploma Global Ageing and Policy (Distance Learning) can be taken full-time over 1 year or part-time over two years.

Year 1

Students select to study either Quantitative Research Methods (DL) or Qualitative Research Methods (DL).

In addition, students select one or more of the following, amounting to 20-40 CAT points:

Ageing Health Well-Being (DL), Poverty and Social Protection Around The World (DL), Mental Health and Ageing (DL), Ageing in Africa: Research and Policy (DL), Ageing in China and South-East Asia (DL)

Semester One
Compulsory
GERO6025 Credit [?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
: 20
Policy Evaluation for Ageing Societies (DL)
GERO6026 Credit [?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
: 20
Global Perspectives in Gerontology (DL)
Optional
GERO6012 Credit [?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
: 20
Demographic Change, Ageing & Globalisation (DL)
GERO6014 Credit [?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
: 20
Quantitative Research Methods (DL)
GERO6015 Credit [?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
: 20
Qualitative Research Methods (DL)
GERO6011 Credit [?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
: 20
Ageing, Health & Well-Being (DL)
GERO6022 Credit [?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
: 20
Poverty and Social Protection Around The World (DL)
GERO6023 Credit [?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
: 20
Mental Health and Ageing (DL)
GERO6024 Credit [?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
: 20
Ageing in Africa: Research and Policy (DL)
GERO6027 Credit [?]
Credits are based on the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).
: 20
Ageing in China and South-East Asia (DL)

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide or website).

Tuition fees

List of tuition fees for this course and it's variations
Course Title Award Year of entry Mode of study UK/EU International
Global Ageing and Policy (Distance Learning) PGDip 2020 Full-time £6,200 £12,551
Global Ageing and Policy (Distance Learning) PGDip 2020 Part-time £3,100 £6,276
View the full list of course fees

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.

Explore funding opportunities

Costs associated with this course

Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.

There will also be further costs for the following, not purchasable from the University:

Type Description
Stationery You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items (e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc.). Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile.
Books Where a module specifies core texts these should generally be available electronically on the reserve list in the library. However due to demand, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source. Please note that the vast majority of readings in Gerontology are available electronically through e-journals, as digitised text in the Online Course Collection or as e-books. Students on the GERO6014 or GERO6015 module receive one textbook via post. Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module.
Equipment Software Licenses- Licenses relating to software used in the programme (eg. SPSS, NVivo) are purchased by the University, and students can download them from the iSolutions website using their username and password.
Equipment Hardware- Participating in the Distance Learning programme requires the student to access to a PC/ laptop. Students may also wish to purchase their own PC/laptop or tablet in order to access Blackboard.
Printing and copying For all GERO modules, coursework (such as essays; projects; dissertations) is submitted on line. All information about the MSc Student Handbook, Module Outlines and other key learning materials (eg. Module Outlines) is electronically available via Blackboard.
Conference expenses Where students wish to attend a scientific conference during their studies, they are liable for any accommodation cost associated (as well as any conference registration fees).
Travel Where students wish to attend a scientific conference during their studies, they are liable for any travel cost associated.

In some cases you'll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk .

The distance learning programme employs a variety of teaching and learning methods, including audio-recorded recorded lectures, tasks related to the lectures, contributions to informal group discussion and independent study.

  • A variety of assessment methods are employed, which include essays, oral presentations, exercises, research reports and the dissertation.
  • All programme modules have their own page on Blackboard from which students are able to access materials (lecture slides and recordings, coursework details, references, module updates and comprehensive support and guidance on how to use online resources that are key to the programme).
  • Distance learning students develop their skills in written and oral presentation through a variety of interactive online resources and software programmes.

Facilities provided to students

  • Students are given access to online resources provided by the University including a library resources, university email address, a range of software packages and computing support via iSolutions.
  • All students are provided with a personal tutor who can advise on academic and other University issues, and a dissertation tutor who provides advice and support during independent research. Students are provided an induction to the programme, module briefings and information about the dissertation via dedicated audio-recorded and written materials.

Technical specification for the distance learning programmes

  • modern computer/laptop with Microsoft Office software package and ability to play Flash media files
  • high-speed internet connection
  • PC headset with microphone

You will have the opportunity to comment on the quality of the programme in the following ways:

  • anonymous student evaluation questionnaires for each module of the programme which are emailed to the designated student representative from each cohort, who then passes them on to the programme coordinator
  • input into quinquennial PG Cert/PG Dip/MSc programme and module reviews by emailing your comments and suggestions to the designated student representative of the cohort
  • acting as a student representative of your cohort, collecting the views and suggestions of fellow students through email and passing them on to the coordinators of the Gerontology Staff-Student Liaison Committee, the Social Sciences Staff-Student Liaison Committee, the MSc Gerontology Board of Studies and the Social Sciences Board

Study locations

Distance learning offers flexible learning with high quality teaching

Distance learning

Distance Learning programmes offer you the opportunity to study the su... Find out more

Related Courses

Share Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share this on Weibo
Privacy Settings