Ageing Studies PhD - Brunel Universi

Tuition Fee

USD 24,949

Per year

Start Date

Medium of studying

On campus

Duration

73 months

Program Facts

About Program

About University

Admission Requirements

Program Facts

Program Details

Degree

PhD

Major

Geriatrics | Gerontology | Public Health

Area of study

Health

Education type

On campus

Timing

Full time

Course Language

English

Tuition Fee

Average International Tuition Fee

USD 24,949

Intakes

Program start date	Application deadline
2023-04-24	-
2023-09-19	-
2024-01-09	-

About Program

Program Overview

Research profile

The overall aim of the Ageing Studies theme is to advance our knowledge and understanding of how to improve the health and quality of life of older people. We bring a range of disciplinary perspectives to addressing our key research challenges: maximising the ability of people to age well, mapping the diverse and dynamic ways that people age, and contributing to the development and evaluation of health and social care interventions that optimise the potential for ageing well. Our theme, which has 40 members, embraces the four key disciplinary perspectives that underpin the understanding of ageing well: social and behavioural sciences, biology, clinical and health sciences, and arts, humanities, policy and politics. In the main, however, our research focuses on three key areas of activity.

The three main clusters of research cut across areas of Biological, Social and Psychological Ageing and include experts in:

rehabilitation after cancer and stroke,

incontinence,

biomechanics and falls,

cellular and molecular biology of ageing,

sociology and psychology of loneliness,

financial and elder abuse,

ageing with alcohol,

ethnic ageing and driving cessation,

dementia,

midlife risk factors for cognitive decline in old age, and

posterior cortical atrophy.

Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.

Learn more about research in this area.

Browse the work of subject-relevant research groups

Brunel Older People’s Reference Group

Education, Identities and Society

Health Behaviour Change

Institute of Communities and Society

Embodiment in Academic and Professional Practice

Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifecourse

Institute of Health, Medicine and Environments

Physical Activity in Health and Disease

Brunel Partners Academic Centre for Health Sciences

Interculturality for Diversity and Global Learning

Healthcare Management, Culture and Leadership Group

Smart Technology Advancements in Health and Rehabilitation

LEAP-Lab: Learning, Expertise, Action, Perception

Kidspace: Key skills and participation in childhood

Health Economics (HERG)

Social Justice

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Program Outline

Research journey

This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in October. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in April.

Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here: Research degree progress structure.

Careers and your future

You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.

In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.

Find out more.

Find a supervisor

Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.

You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.

While we welcome all multidisciplinary topics in the area of Ageing Studies, here is a list of potential research areas we would like to supervise:

Successful ageing: learning from the very active

Reactivating senescent cells through epigenetic mechanisms

Ageing in minority communities

Loneliness

Ageing with a disability

Ageing without children

Financial gerontology and elder abuse

Literary, cultural and social narratives of old age

Fear of falling and mobility

Design interventions and assistive technologies

The association between muscle strength, muscle quality, sedentary behaviour and disability in adults with cerebral palsy

Activity and participation in adults with multiple sclerosis

Identifying genes that affect ageing in a Drosophila model of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome.

PhD topics

While we welcome applications from student with a clear direction for their research, we are providing you with some ideas for your chosen field of research:

Design for early detection of symptoms of anxiety and depression in university students, supervised by Federico Colecchia and Daniel Bailey

Development of personalised services and applications for healthcare, supervised by Fotios Spyridonis, George Ghinea, Zidong Wang and Xiaohui Liu

Effects of environmental heat stress on respiratory health, supervised by Pascale Kippelen

Exploring the potential of serious games to enhance user engagement with real-world applications, supervised by Fotios Spyridonis and Damon Daylamani-Zad

Fear & Falls: The role of psychological factors in the control of posture and gait in older adults, supervised by Adam Cocks and Elmar Kal

Machine learning approaches in health data science for risk prediction of cardiovascular diseases, supervised by Raha Pazoki

The impact of heat stress on human health, performance, and function across the lifecourse, supervised by Oliver Gibson

Admission Requirements

The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1).

An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.

Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement and a research statement.

Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement here.

English Language Requirements

All courses at Brunel have an English language requirement. This is listed on your

course page

under 'entry criteria'.

If you need an English test, we recommend booking one early

as there can be a long wait in some areas. You can also take our Brunel English Language Test (

BrunELT

What level of English do I need?

In general, our courses ask for an English level of between IELTS 6.0 and 7.0 or equivalent. Some courses will have higher requirements (and will require you to also reach minimum sub-scores), so please

check your course page

for the exact level

If you do not meet the required level of English, you can take one of our

pre-sessional courses

What English qualifications does Brunel accept?

English qualifications we currently accept for degree level study include those listed below. We accept a wide range of other qualifications, so if you are unsure please get in touch with us on

What English qualifications do I need if I wish to study English at Brunel before my degree course?

If you need to study English before starting your degree, you should take one of the following tests at

an approved test centre

in order to apply for a Student visa:

IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT (minimum of IELTS 4 for overall and sub-scores)

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B1 level or above, Pass overall and 33 for each part)

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) (Ievel 1 or above, both modules)

Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (43 for each part)

Find out more about exams you can take to obtain a Student visa:

IELTS (Academic) for UKVI,

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE)

, and

Pearson PTE Academic

. For further details,

I don't need to study English before I start my degree. Do I still need to provide proof of English language?

All international students must show evidence that they meet the English requirement for their course of study. This applies even if English is the native language of your home country. If this is the case, a pass at high school level which is equivalent to GCSE Grade C or above is sometimes acceptable. Please see your

country page

for more information.

If you don't need to study English before your degree and don't have relevant high school qualifications, we can still accept a non-UKVI-approved IELTS from an official test centre with the required scores. However, should you not achieve the required scores for your degree course, you will not be able to use this IELTS to apply for a Tier 4 visa for a pre-sessional English course in the UK. In some circumstances, if you don't have a UKVI IELTS, you may be able to attend an English course with a Short Term Study visa.

for more information.

English language qualifications we accept

(Click to expand and see specific requirements):

IELTS for UKVI (UKVI approved for Student Visa)

Pre-sessional English only
4.0 to 5.0
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC)	5.5
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes	6.0
	6.5
	7.0
(Minimum 4 in all subscores)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC)	(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes	(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores)
	(Minimum 5.5 to 6.0 in all subscores, depending on course)
	(Minimum 5.5 to 7.0 in all subscores, depending on course)

Pre-sessional English only

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC)

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes

4.0 to 5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

(Minimum 4 in all subscores)

(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores)

(Minimum 5.5 to 6.0 in all subscores, depending on course)

(Minimum 5.5 to 7.0 in all subscores, depending on course)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.

View your course page

for more information.

Please contact

for more information.

Trinity College London: Secure English Language Tests for UKVI - Integrated Skills in English (ISE) (UKVI approved for Student Visa)


IELTS
Pre-sessional English only	4.0+
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	5.5
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes	6.0
	6.5
	7.0
Trinity ISE
Pre-sessional English only	ISE I with pass or higher in all parts
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	ISE II with pass in all parts
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes	ISE III with pass in all parts
	ISE III with pass in all parts
	ISE IV with pass in all parts

Pre-sessional English only

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes

IELTS

4.0+

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Trinity ISE

ISE I with pass or higher in all parts

ISE II with pass in all parts

ISE III with pass in all parts

ISE IV with pass in all parts

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.

View your course page

for more information.

Please contact

for more information.

BrunELT (Brunel English Language Test)


IELTS
Pre-sessional English Only	4.0+
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	5.5
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/ Brunel degree programmes	6.0
	6.5
	7.0
	7.5
BrunELT
Pre-sessional English Only	40%+ (a minimum of 40% in all parts)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	55% (a minimum of 55% in all parts)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/ Brunel degree programmes	58% (a minimum of 55% in all parts)
	63% (a minimum of 55% or 58% in all parts, depending on course)
	68% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course)
	73% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course)

	Pre-sessional English Only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/ Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0	7.5
BrunELT	40%+ (a minimum of 40% in all parts)	55% (a minimum of 55% in all parts)	58% (a minimum of 55% in all parts)	63% (a minimum of 55% or 58% in all parts, depending on course)	68% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course)	73% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course)

Pre-sessional English Only

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/

Brunel degree programmes

IELTS

4.0+

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

BrunELT

40%+ (a minimum of 40% in all parts)

55% (a minimum of 55% in all parts)

58% (a minimum of 55% in all parts)

63% (a minimum of 55% or 58% in all parts, depending on course)

68% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course)

73% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.

View your course page

for more information.

Please contact

for more information.

Pearson Academic (UKVI approved for Student Visa)


IELTS
Pre-sessional English only	4.0+
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	5.5
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/ Brunel degree programmes	6.0
	6.5
	7.0
PTE Academic UKVI
Pre-sessional English only	43+ (a minimum of 43 for each part)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	59 (a minimum of 59 for each part)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/ Brunel degree programmes	59 (a minimum of 59 for each part)
	59 (a minimum of 59 for each part)
	64 (a minimum of 59 or 64 for each part, depending on course)

Pre-sessional English only

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/

Brunel degree programmes

IELTS

4.0+

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

PTE Academic UKVI

43+ (a minimum of 43 for each part)

59 (a minimum of 59 for each part)

64 (a minimum of 59 or 64 for each part, depending on course)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.

View your course page

for more information.

Please contact

for more information.

Cambridge


IELTS
Pre-sessional English only	4.0+
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	5.5
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes	6.0
	6.5
	7.0
Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) suite of exams
Pre-sessional English only	140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each part) (previously BEC Preliminary pass/pass with merit)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	160 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade C)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes	169 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade B)
	180 (minimum of 160 or 169 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade C) or Vantage (Grade A)
	185 (minimum of 169 or 180 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade B)
IGCSE EFL (English as a first language)
Pre-sessional English only	D
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	C/4
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes	C/4
	C/4
	C/4
IGCSE ESL (English as a second language)
Pre-sessional English only	D
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	C/4
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes	C/4
	C/4
	C/4
B2 First (formerly FCE)
Pre-sessional English only	140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each sub-score) (Pass/Pass for previous BEC Preliminary)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (C old test)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) (B old test)
	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (A old test)

C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)
Pre-sessional English only	N/A
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (D old test)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)
	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C old test)
	185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course)
C2 Proficiency (CPE)
Pre-sessional English only	N/A
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)
	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course)
	185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course)
International Legal English Certificate - ILEC/ International Certificate of Financial English - ICFE
Pre-sessional English only	N/A
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (B2 Pass)
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass)
	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass)
	185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C1 Pass with Merit)
International Education English O'level
Pre-sessional English only	D
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	C
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes	C
	C
	C
Cambridge International Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in First Language English
Pre-sessional English only	D
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	C
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes	C
	C
	C

	Pre-sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/ Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) suite of exams	140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each part) (previously BEC Preliminary pass/pass with merit)	160 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade C)	169 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade B)	180 (minimum of 160 or 169 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade C) or Vantage (Grade A)	185 (minimum of 169 or 180 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade B)
IGCSE EFL (English as a first language)	D	C/4	C/4	C/4	C/4
IGCSE ESL (English as a second language)	D	C/4	C/4	C/4	C/4
B2 First (formerly FCE)	140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each sub-score) (Pass/Pass for previous BEC Preliminary)	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (C old test)	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) (B old test)	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (A old test)
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)	N/A	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (D old test)	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C old test)	185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course)
C2 Proficiency (CPE)	N/A	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score)	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course)	185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course)
International Legal English Certificate - ILEC/ International Certificate of Financial English - ICFE	N/A	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (B2 Pass)	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass)	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass)	185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for

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