Gerontology (Taught)

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.

This innovative PGCert programme offers interdisciplinary education in the study of gerontology and will prepare you for a wide range of careers working with older people. You will develop specialist knowledge in social, demographic and economic issues, theoretical perspectives on gerontology and national and international policy and practice in adult and elder care services. You may take up to two modules from the distance learning (DL) postgraduate programme in gerontology.

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as a part-time postgraduate certificate (PGCert), you will usually study over 2 years.

For a full list of compulsory and optional modules, please visit our website

A variety of assessment methods are employed, which include essays, oral presentations, group work, exercises, research reports and the dissertation. All programme modules have their own page on Blackboard. Students are able to access materials (lecture slides, recordings of lectures, coursework details, references and module updates) to supplement their independent study.