The Department of Gerontology & Dementia Studies is considered to be one of the leading international centres for the study of gerontology and geriatrics. Its teaching and research have made an invaluable contribution to our understanding of older persons, later life and ageing. The Department brings together academic experts from a wide range of disciplines. Students reading for the Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics, Master of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Master of Arts in Ageing and Dementia Studies, and Doctor of Philosophy include graduates of a variety of professions that include medicine, psychiatry, nursing, allied health professions, law, psychology, commerce, social policy, social work, and sociology.
Graduates of the Department pursue a range of careers. Many work in consultant and specialist positions in geriatric medicine, and others progressed to hold policy and social science appointments, around the world. The Department is highly active in engaging in public debates on issues that concern older people through the organisation of conferences and forums.
The Department of Gerontology & Dementia Studies puts emphasis on didactic teaching on ageing welfare policy, dementia studies, social and biological theories of ageing, quality of life in old age, and researching ageing and later life. Spearheaded by the academic output of its academic staff, the Department lies at the forefront of scholarly activity and publications, as well as European and international collaborations related to ageing, older adults, and later life. A major focus of the Department is the role of the interdisciplinary team practice in geriatric and dementia care. The benefit of using an interdisciplinary team approach is a theme emphasised throughout the gerontology curriculum and the geriatric / dementia clinical setting.
The Department of Gerontology & Dementia Studies was set up as the Institute of Gerontology in 1989 to develop inter-disciplinary teaching, education and research in a wide range of areas in the fields of gerontology and geriatrics. The Department serves as an international and interdisciplinary research centre that investigates key issues concerning older persons, later life, ageing and dementia care. Through high quality research and postgraduate training, the Department contributes to a better understanding of the experience of ageing amongst different nations, societies and cultures, which in turn puts policy makers in a better strategic position to contribute towards improved policies for later life.
A key objective of the Department is to produce qualified and trained personnel engaged in the provision and planning of services to older persons in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. The emphasis is on basic gerontological training aimed at giving a better understanding of the various aspects of ageing and the needs of older persons, as well as the necessary skills to meet these needs adequately, thus improving their quality of life and wellbeing. The Department of Gerontology & Dementia Studies offers four academic programmes - namely, the Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics, Master of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Master of Arts in Ageing and Dementia Studies, and Doctorate.
During the years 1990-2022/23, the Department attracted 408 students from 53 different countries to read for the Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics, Master of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Master of Arts in Ageing and Dementia Studies, Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics and Doctor of Philosophy. Represented countries and students (in brackets) include:
Albania (5), Argentina (2),
Bahamas (1), Bangladesh (1), Barbados (2), Bolivia (1), Brazil (6), Burundi (1),
Canada (1), China (5), Colombia (3), Cyprus (2), Czech Republic (2),
Dubai (1),
Egypt (9), Ethiopia (4),
Georgia (1), Ghana (6), Greece (1),
India (9), Indonesia (1), Ivory Coast (1),
Jamaica (3), Jordan (3),
Lebanon (1), Libya (1), Lithuania (2),
Malawi (1), Malaysia (1), Malta (272), Mexico (5),
Netherlands (1), Nigeria (7),
Pakistan (1), Panama (1), Peru (2), Philippines (7),
Romania (4),
Serbia (2), Seychelles (4), Singapore (2), South Africa (1), Spain (2), Sri Lanka (2), Sudan (1),
Tanzania (1), Thailand (1), Turkey (5),
Uganda (1), Ukraine (1), United Kingdom (1), Uruguay (1), USA (4),
Yugoslavia (former) (2)
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