Program Overview

Participatory Approaches in Dementia Policy and Practice

Module Overview

This module focuses on participatory approaches in dementia practice and policy. It begins with considering what is meant by participation and examines different models that can be applied to dementia practice.

Key Facts

• Module code: DEMU9L3
• Start date: 19 Jan 2026
• Application deadline: 5 Jan 2026
• Duration: 11 weeks
• Credit value SCQF: 20
• SCQF level: Level 10
• Fees: £TBC
• Mode of study: part time
• Delivery: online

Entrance Requirements

This course is useful to anyone working in dementia care, who would like to give people with dementia the opportunity to work with you to develop your own organisations or professional activities.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

Objectives

• To develop students' knowledge of the theory and frameworks that shape participatory approaches to dementia care.
• To provide learning on how people with dementia can be supported to participate meaningfully in policy and practice.
• To explore detailed examples of co-production linking to some of the key topics and themes covered in the dementia studies programme.
• To reflect on the ethics of co-production and the applicability of different approaches in students' own contexts.

Structure and Content

The course is delivered over eleven weeks. The module is delivered over a series of six distinct sections delivered via the canvas learning environment. Students undertake a single section per week, interspersed by a reading with between sections 3 and 4, and a further reading week before the assignment submission deadline. Module sections include:

• Section 1. Understanding co-production and participation
• Section 2. Participation at an individual level
• Section 3. Participation at the organisational and local level
• Section 4. Dementia activism
• Section 5. Dementia (co-) research
• Section 6. Evaluating participation and co-production

Delivery and Assessment

The assignment for this module requires you to plan a co-production project relevant to your own area of practice. The assignment should provide a theoretical framework for the planned project and set out the approach and methods and the proposed outcomes from the project.

This course is taught online and has a weekly time commitment of 16 hours per week.

Module Coordinator

Professor Louise McCabe