Advanced Dementia Studies

Program Overview

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Overview

Advanced Dementia Studies is a part-time distance learning programme. By studying online, you will have the flexibility to fit your studies around your working life and learn from, and with, students from around the world.

Programme Structure

• MSc Advanced Dementia Studies - 3 years
• PGDip Advanced Dementia Studies - 2 years
• PGCert Dementia Studies - 1 year

We adopt a human rights perspective to understanding the experience of people living with dementia and encourage multidisciplinary team-working and service user engagement. Our programme is underpinned by cutting-edge research and it has been designed to be directly applicable to the workplace and to help you develop your own and your colleagues' practice.

We work closely with Experts by Experience (people living with dementia and carers) to create, inform, develop and evaluate the curriculum and teach relevant subjects.

This programme is intended for UK and international students who are:

• Health and social care professionals who want to gain a specific qualification in working with people who have dementia
• Voluntary workers who already have contact with people with dementia

You do not need to attend the University at any point during your studies. However, this does not mean you need to study alone - you will be part of a group of fellow national and international students passionate about improving dementia care.

Entry Requirements

Candidates should have a first degree with 2:2 or above in a relevant subject area, an equivalent professional NVQ Level 6 award, or a relevant postgraduate qualification.

However, if you have had any prior experience of successful study at undergraduate or postgraduate level you may apply, providing evidence such as certificates and transcripts. The programme team will make a decision based on the overall quality of your application.

If you are applying for an award and you do not have a first degree or equivalent, you may be asked to complete a portfolio of evidence to support your application for which you will need to achieve a mark of at least 60%. If this is the case, please ensure you apply in a timely manner as this will need to be approved before you can start the course.

Practice Entry Requirements

You must already have a work role, or voluntary placement, which regularly brings you into contact with people who have dementia. The minimum contact requirement is 2 hours a week during the academic year (September to June). This contact must be regular, direct and ongoing throughout your studies. It is not enough merely to work in an environment or service that provides dementia care; you must have regular opportunities to interact with a range of people who have dementia in the course of your day-to-day employment or voluntary role. It will be your responsibility to ensure that this contact is maintained if your employer or work role changes during the course of your studies.

You must also have access to a computer with Internet connection and be prepared to spend on average 15 hours a week on your studies.

Due to the applied nature of the teaching and learning activities on the programme and its direct implications on practice, for example through seeking stakeholder involvement and opinion in projects, and appraising, planning and evaluating practice development initiatives, applicants will be required to seek approval for studying within their work or voluntary setting from a manager prior to commencing the course.

English Language Requirements

Students for whom English is not a first language must have IELTS 6.5 with no sub-tests less than 5.5 or equivalent.

Curriculum

First Year

Core

• Understanding the me in dementia
• Postdiagnostic Support Pathways for People with Dementia

Second Year

Core

• Evidence-based dementia practice
• Evaluating Dementia Practice

Final Year

Core

• Leading change in practice

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

This distance learning part-time programme is delivered through digitally enhanced learning and teaching methods, including real-time tutorials, inter-professional discussion groups, practice-based exercises, directed and self-directed study.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Our VLE is a system called Canvas. You will use Canvas to access the course materials, participate in interactive exercises and online discussion groups, attend real-time tutorials and get feedback on your coursework.

The course is designed to make your study as versatile as possible. You can access the course material anytime and anywhere with good internet access, from your PC, tablet or mobile phone.

Learning Materials

Learning materials consist of:

• An interactive study guide for each module
• Online supplementary resources including podcasts, videos and readings
• Online real-time tutorials
• Online discussion groups and opportunity for networking with peers
• A study planner for each module including key dates and timeline for completing the module activities

The interactive study guide provides:

• An overview explaining the aims of the module
• The learning outcomes students are expected to achieve
• Guidance for the on-line exercises
• Details of assignments
• Details of readings

Each module will include a: i) formative assessment (i.e. tutor feedback on written work in progress); this work is not graded and you are able to make changes your tutor recommends before you submit your final assignments; ii) summative assessment (i.e. final); this will be by means of one or two pieces of work for each module which are graded and count towards your final mark for the award. There will be a variety of types of assessment that include case studies, written reports on practice-based work and critical reflections on evidence.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fee

• 30 credits: £1,881
• Standalone dissertation (60 credits): £2,714

Additional Course Costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Funding Your Studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

Health Education England may fund some health courses/modules at the University of Bradford for healthcare staff providing NHS services working within West Yorkshire and Harrogate, against organisational training priorities identified through the organisations training needs analysis.

You are therefore advised to contact the SSPRD Signatory within your organisation regarding their organisational training priorities.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you live in England you may be able to apply for a special Government-funded Master's Loan to help pay your tuition fees and living costs. You don't have to pay the loan back until you're earning a certain amount of money.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career Prospects

A Dementia Studies award may be a good career development move for you if you are already working in the dementia field and wish to specialise in this area of practice. Expectations are increasing about the quality of care people with dementia should receive. This means that there will be many opportunities for you to progress in your career having studied successfully at this advanced level.

Many of our students receive promotions or are successful in applying for new posts. The postgraduate programmes in Dementia Studies do not, however, lead to a professional qualification or registration.

Support for Your Studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions.

We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment.

In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.

Research

The University of Bradford has been providing accredited programmes in Dementia Studies since 2001, and has a long history of cutting-edge research related to person-centred dementia care and innovative methodologies for researching and developing practice in health and social care for people with dementia.

All teaching on the programme is research-informed and delivered by an academic team who are actively involved in relevant fields of dementia research. Members of the course team have completed research projects and studies using film, music, photography, narrative, conversation analysis and other participatory methods to enhance understanding of the experience of dementia.