Admission Criteria

Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:

Appropriate Undergraduate Qualification

Other Required Qualifications/Experience

An applicant, who has successfully completed a relevant first degree or equivalent qualification at SCQF Level 9 (i.e. Graduate Certificate in Working with Older People) normally within the past 5 years and has a command of current, evidence-based knowledge within their chosen subject.
Consideration will be given to applicants who have a degree in an unrelated topic at the discretion of the Programme Leader.
Consideration will be given to applicants who have gained their degree several years ago where continued further development in knowledge through postgraduate studies would demonstrate currency in certified learning.
Copy of original academic transcript.
Satisfactory academic and personal references.
English language proficiency with candidates expected to achieve an IELTs standard of 6.5.

Applicants with relevant professional experience will also be considered for entry to the programme on an individual basis.

Further desirable skills pre-application

Health and/or social care experience of older adults in either employment or the third sector(employed or voluntary).
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Good information technology skills.
Academic reading, writing and referencing skills commensurate with graduateness

General Overview

General Overview

Changing demographics have focused attention on later life on a global scale. One area of concern now
and into the future are the difficulties faced by those living with dementia, their carers and their families.
Dementia affects almost 50 million people worldwide, with a new case of dementia occurring somewhere in
the world every 3 seconds. 131.5 million people will be living with dementia by 2050. This unprecedented
rise will create a number of issues affecting health and social care delivery worldwide (Alzheimer’s Disease
International, 2015). This programme has been designed for healthcare professionals wishing to be
involved in addressing this worldwide challenge. The pathway incorporates the work of the EU funded
Palliare Project, a project aimed to support the dementia workforce to champion improvements to the care
of those people living with dementia who are advanced in their illness. See: http://www.uws.ac.uk
/palliareproject/

The MSc in Dementia Care aims to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence of practitioners, carers
and older people by introducing debate around ageing, demographic changes, globalisation and their
subsequent impact on those living with dementia. The programme has been developed by placing the
experience of the older person with dementia at the centre, recognising the importance of policy and the
need to make direct links from learning to practice. Students will be supported throughout the programme
to share their experiences and to transfer their new learning to their own environments.

Key Features
Our ongoing national and international collaborations and cross-sector partnerships ensure that we are at
the forefront of issues affecting individuals and populations as they age. This makes this MSc in Dementia
Care an attractive option for both employers and students. The programme will combine wider learning
about the issues affecting those experiencing dementia and their carers in a range of national and
international settings. The emphasis is on developing critical evaluation skills and evidence-based
knowledge that encompasses holistic care. This will widen understanding of global issues of concern in
dementia care, whilst developing a greater appreciation of the need to challenge assumptions and
stereotypes around the illnesses which cause dementia. It will look in depth at how people living with
advanced dementia and their carers live and cope with these disease processes.
This part-time postgraduate programme is aimed at health, social care and social work professionals
and others involved in the care and support of the older people living with dementia either professionally or
personally. It has been developed in partnership with other Higher Education Institutes, voluntary, health
and social care sector organisations and older people to ensure that a relevant postgraduate programme
offering maximum flexibility in mode of study has been created. Students can study part-time online from
anywhere in the world. Therefore reliable internet access is necessary, no matter how you participate.

Part-time students typically study 3 modules per year (60 credits) over all three university terms.
It is expected that most students will be in employment whilst studying and this is reflected in the links
made throughout the programme between theory and practice.
The MSc in Dementia Care is delivered in three stages:
Stage One - Postgraduate Certificate, involves participation in 3 modules over three terms (total 60
credits)
Stage Two - Postgraduate Diploma, involves participation in a further 3 modules, so six modules
over six terms (total 120 credits),
Stage Three - MSc Dissertation which takes the form of a rigorous research proposal on a topic of
the student's choice. This allows students to develop essential skills for research, practice and
career enhancement (60 credits). This is done over an academic year.

The MSc programme will usually take three to four years to complete on a part-time basis. However, each
stage is recognised as a distinct qualification and participants may choose, if necessary, to take a break
between stages. In such cases, they are required to complete the Master's programme within five years.

Career Prospects
The School of Health and Life Sciences is recognised nationally as a provider of quality education and
training and this programme will generate graduates who are highly specialised in the field of Dementia
Care. Students will develop an understanding of both national and international contexts related to all
aspects of dementia care and will be equipped with skills to apply this knowledge. This programme is
particularly useful for those looking to further their careers in a health or social care environment.
Graduates will have high-level transferable skills including complex problem-solving, conceptual skills,
communication of complex ideas, leadership, decision-making skills and the ability to work and engage with
others in an online environment.

Pointers to Further Study - Progression Routes
This programme offers a progression route for the University of the West of Scotland students completing
undergraduate degrees, for example in social sciences, integrated health and social care, nursing,
psychology and those who have completed the school’s Graduate Certificate in Working with Older People.
The Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice is increasingly developing PhD opportunities and
these may provide a progression route for some students following successful completion of the MSc
programme should they wish to continue. The School's approach to the programme is directed by the UWS Strategy 2025 and is focused on optimising student engagement in learning and the development of personal growth and professional
autonomy.

This programme is supported by the staff of the Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice, who
have widely regarded expertise at national and international level in this field. See https://www.uws.ac.uk
/research/research-institutes-centres-groups/alzheimer-scotland-centre-for-policy-and-practice/

The online delivery of the programme means that students can participate in this MSc from anywhere in the
world as it offers maximum flexibility for learners. Online learning approaches include group discussion and
seminars, lectures from experts in the field, videos and podcasts and enquiry based learning using studies
of older persons' experiences.

The University VLE will be used by all students for all learning, teaching and assessment. This is to ensure
equity of experience and allow groups and cohorts of students to work together to maximise their learning
opportunities. All materials, handbooks and assessment information will be available 24/7 via the VLE.
Asynchronous discussion is considered a key aspect of teaching and support in all of the modules. IT
support is available from the University with online tutorials giving assistance available 24/7 and helpdesk
support also offered to all participants.Personal development planning and reflection is incorporated into the programme and students will be encouraged to fully engage in the process of identifying, reflecting and developing goals to address their learning needs. It is recognised that students who enter this programme of study may come from different professional and academic backgrounds and the assessments reflect this diversity. The modules in the programme will use a progressive approach to assessment with an initial formative assignment providing useful feedback to
students before a summative assessment is submitted

.
References
Alzheimer’s Disease International (2015) World Alzheimer Report (2015) The Global Impact of Dementia:
An analysis of prevalence, incidence, cost and trends. London, ADI. Available at: https://www.alzint.org/resource/world-alzheimer-report-2015/#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20key%20findings,trillion%20dollar%20disease%20by%202018

Graduate Attributes, Employability & Personal Development Planning

In the current financial climate, the employability aspects of academic modules is a vital component of this learning experience. This programme will provide students with a postgraduate qualification in specialised subject areas that are features of a variety of health and social care workplace settings. Working with people living with dementia is an area of expanding rather than contracting employment opportunities given the demographic changes and the care integration agenda embraced in older people care provision worldwide. At the same time, employment and promotion are increasingly competitive and this programme provides students with some clear advantages in relation to employability.

This programme also fully embraces the concept of Masterness described in the QAA Scotland (2013) Facets of Mastersness described within their Masterness Toolkit. See https://www.qaa.ac.uk/scotland/development-projects/learning-from-international-practice/taught-postgraduate-student-experience 

In accordance with the University Personal Development Planning Policy and Framework, personal development planning is embedded within each module in the programme to enable students to become aware of their knowledge, skills and abilities and how these have been developed within each module. Students are encouraged to reflect on learning achievements and experiences and the implications these have for their future development.

In alignment with all programmes at UWS this programme embraces the three overarching UWS Graduate Attributes that state that our students on graduation will be Universal (have globally relevant skills and abilities) will be Work-ready (dynamic and prepared for employment in a complex and ever-changing environment) and Successful (be in a position to be successful and realise their potential in a variety of different contexts. See https://www.uws.ac.uk/current-students/your-graduate-attributes/

Work Based Learning/Placement Details

This programme does not include opportunities for work-based learning, however, it is anticipated that the assessment strategy will allow students to contextualise learning to current and/or future professional employment within the field of Dementia Care and/or Older Peoples' Care. The focus is predominantly on theoretical Masters Level study, but there are examples of skills-based practice throughout the programme.

Engagement

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time.

Where a programme has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:

No additional requirements.

Equality and Diversity

The University's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Procedure can be accessed at the following link: UWS Equality and Diversity Policy

At UWS and within the School of Health and Life Sciences we are committed to advancing and promoting equality and diversity in all of our activities and aim to establish an inclusive culture, free from discrimination and based upon the values of fairness, dignity and respect.
We do this by promoting equality, valuing diversity and communicating the importance of dignity both at work and study. We are committed to enhancing wellbeing; see https://www.uws.ac.uk/current-students/supportingyour-health-wellbeing/ and have the structures, leadership and support in place to embed equality.For further information, see https://www.uws.ac.uk/aboutuws/
uws-commitments/equality-diversity-inclusion/

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Regulations of Assessment

Candidates will be bound by the general assessment regulations of the University as specified in the University Regulatory Framework.

An overview of the assessment details is provided in the Student Handbook and the assessment criteria for each module is provided in the module descriptor which forms part of the module pack issued to students. For further details on assessment please refer to Chapter 3 of the Regulatory Framework.

To qualify for an award of the University, students must complete all the programme requirements and must meet the credit minima detailed in Chapter 1 of the Regulatory Framework.

Combined Studies

There may be instances where a student has been unsuccessful in meeting the award criteria for the named award and for other more generic named awards existing within the School. Provided that they have met the credit requirements in line with the SCQF credit minima (please see Regulation 1.21), they will be eligible for an exit award of PgCert/ PgDip in Combined Studies.