BSMS > Postgraduate > Dementia Studies

Dementia Studies

Key facts

MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Full-time: 1 year

Part-time: 3 years

Location: University of Brighton Falmer campus

Course Principal: Prof Sube Banerjee >

Course Leader: Dr Naji Tabet >

General enquiries: Enquiries@brighton.ac.uk

This course is jointly validated by the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex.

apply here >

Further information about this course can be found in the Course Application Handbook.

Download here >

Key areas of study

Understanding dementia
Assessment and treatment of dementia
Psychological and social perspectives of dementia
Research methods and critical appraisal
Leadership and change management in clinical services
Quality, safety and service improvement in clinical services
Communication and learning in health and social care

Course overview

Dementia is a growing problem globally. There are over 800,000 sufferers in the UK and 44 million world-wide, posing a major challenge for treatment and care.

The Dementia Studies course is aimed at all those involved in the health and care of people with dementia.

The course comprises a new and unique set of educational initiatives designed to enable healthcare professionals to improve the quality of life of dementia sufferers by building expertise in generating and delivering better care. It provides a comprehensive and holistic theoretical and practical framework for understanding dementia and enables a broad understanding of the impact of dementia on the individual and society. Clinical knowledge is blended with developing skills in communication for health and social care, research and leadership learning.

"This course enabled me to gain an up-to-date understanding of what dementia is and the latest diagnostic approaches and treatments while stretching my thinking and helping me to remember that it is real people who are facing these difficulties."

Dr Andrew Risbridger, current MSc Dementia Studies student

"As a higher trainee in old age psychiatry, I have found the MSc in Dementia Studies to be a valuable tool to help develop an in depth knowledge and understanding of many aspects of dementia. It has helped me to meet many competencies in the RCPsych curriculum and to help me critically appraise the evidence around treatments and interventions as well as learning to maintain excellence in the care and support of service users, families and carers."

Dr David Denton, current PG Cert Dementia Studies student

Course structure

Most modules are assessed by means of a 3,000 word in-depth evaluation of a topic agreed by the student and module leader.

PGCert

Two modules from the following clinical module options PLUS one module from the PGDip professional module list

MDM119 Understanding Dementia (20 credits)

MDM120 Assessment and Treatment of Dementia (20 credits)

MDM121 Psychological and Social Perspectives of Dementia (20 credits)

PGDip

All three clinical modules PLUS three modules from the following professional module options:

MDM10 Research Methods and Critical Appraisal (20 credits)

MDM122 Communication, Learning and Teaching in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

MDM110 Leadership and Change Management in Clinical Services (20 credits) OR

MDM76 Quality, Safety and Service Improvement in Clinical Services (20 credits)

MSc

PGDip modules PLUS

MDM164 Dissertation (60 credits)

Career opportunities

Successful completion of the course will provide specialised knowledge and expertise which will be invaluable in improving the prospect of employment in the field and will enhance the likelihood of career progression.

Ultimately, students will be empowered to deliver significant improvements in the quality of services provided to people living with dementia.

Entry requirements

The course is aimed at a wide range of professionals who are in a position to deliver improvements to the health and care of people with dementia. This includes nurses, doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists and managers and staff in nursing and residential homes.

Applicants should have either a degree and evidence of a capacity to study at Masters level with a substantial interest and/or experience in an area of health or social care or evidence of a capacity to study at Masters level and at least two years’ work experience in an environment related to dementia care (including lived experience).

It is possible to take the MSc Dementia Studies as an intercalated degree.

International applicants who meet the above entry criteria and have IELTS (minimum score of 7.0, with no less than 6.5 in each section) are welcome to apply.

Fees and funding (2017-18)

MSc

UK / EU / Island students £7,650

International £14,490

PGDip

UK £5,100

International £9,660

PGCert

UK £2,550

International £4,830

Scholarships

All BSMS students on Masters courses accredited jointly by the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton, including the PG Clinical Diploma Physician Associate course, are eligible to apply for University of Sussex postgraduate scholarships in 2017/18.

Apply here

Applications are made through the University of Brighton online portal.

APPLY NOW >