Global Ageing and Policy (Distance Learning) (PGDip)

Award
Postgraduate Diploma
Typical Offer
2:1 degree View full entry requirements
Duration
1 year
Course Type
Full-time
Campus
Online only
Next course starts
September 2025

About this course

We are proud to be the only department dedicated to Gerontology in the UK. We offer distinctive face-to-face and distance learning programmes in gerontology, global ageing and social policy. 

Discover the challenges associated with ageing, and assessing academic and policy evidence on our PGDip Global Ageing and Policy (Distance Learning) course. This online postgraduate diploma will teach you how to carry out policy evaluation to improve older people's wellbeing, with a focus on ageing societies.

This course focuses on gerontology - the study of ageing at individual and societal levels. 
 
You’ll study ageing over a lifetime, focusing on its the challenges it presents in different parts of the world, including:

  • China
  • Southeast Asia and South Asia
  • sub-Saharan Africa

You’ll examine the changes we undergo as we 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 links between generations and the connections between a person's experiences over a lifetime.

This course draws on a range of disciplines including:

  • social policy
  • demography
  • sociology
  • biology
  • health sciences
  • psychology
  • economics

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

  • a part-time distance learning postgraduate diploma (PGDip) - study the same course content over 2 or 3 years

If you’re not ready to take on a full course, as part of continuing professional development (CPD) you can choose to study a module on its own. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to the subject and you can build up to higher level study. Choose campus based study or distance learning.

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader is Rosalind Willis, Associate Professor in Gerontology at the University of Southampton. Her research interests are on ethnic diversity and ageing, dementia, and care. Read Dr Willis’s profile to find out more about her research interests and publications.

“I think that the MSc course is fabulous and Southampton is truly a world-class University. The course is run in such a professional and supportive way that it makes me feel part of the University even though I’m distance learning.”
Zeeshan Ahmed, 2018 third year student
“I see myself as not just a student but an activist, everyone around me benefits from me doing this course.”
Lilian Igbafe, 2018 third year student

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.