Gerontology - MSc

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. It investigates the relationships between generations and the interconnections between our older and younger selves. Insights are taken from social policy, demography, sociology, biology, healthcare sciences, psychology and economics. Gerontology is thus a fundamentally interdisciplinary subject which leads to a fascinating variety of careers.

Introducing your degree

Understanding the process of population ageing brings critical advantages to employees in a range of professional sectors, such as the health and social care, research, and the local and national policy sectors.

The MSc Gerontology programme will equip you with academic knowledge in Gerontology, focusing on evidence related to the wellbeing of older people, and with policy knowledge relating to social policies aimed at preparing societies for ageing populations. In addition, the programme will offer you a range of training opportunities in research methods, both quantitative and qualitative.

Overview

The programme aims to provide you with:

• critical appreciation of key theoretical perspectives in gerontology and their application to the analysis of issues concerning ageing and the life course
• understanding of contemporary debates in gerontology surrounding the lives of older people, their families and societies in developed and developing countries
• the ability to evaluate policies and initiatives concerning population ageing, welfare provision and quality of life of older people, their families and carers
• competence in qualitative and quantitative research methods and their application to key research questions
• the ability to design and conduct independent research in gerontology using appropriate research methods
• preparation for a career in the field of gerontology and applied health and social sciences

View the programme specification document for this course

Modules

Typical modules include: Perspectives in Gerontology, Philosophy of Social Science Research, Research Design and Practice, Quantitative Methods, Gerontology Dissertation, Demographic Change Ageing & Globalisation, Ageing Health and Well-being, Qualitative Methods 1, Survey Design, Qualitative Methods 2, Quantitative Methods 2.

Visit the Gerontology - MSc page on the University of Southampton website for more details!