Advanced Dementia Studies (distance learning) (MSc PGDip PGCert)  Advanced Dementia Studies (distance learning) (MSc PGDip PGCert) University of Bradford ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1533791582University-of-Bradford.jpg

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

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

The programme has been designed to develop you as a leader in your field of dementia care and enable you to use the best evidence available to support your work. 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. 

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

Our flexible approach allows you to combine study with work and home life. Our online courses are designed to be directly applicable to the workplace and to help you develop your own and your colleagues' practice.

We use a variety of virtual learning environments so that students can interact with the course tutors and fellow students. For each module you are provided with a module study guide produced by the course team. It contains exercises, activities and links to audio and visual materials. To enhance the learning experience you are asked to contribute to online discussion groups and take part in real time tutorials.

Candidates should have a first degree with 2:2 or above in a relevant subject area.

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 the overall quality of your application.

If 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.

Additional entry requirements

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 either have studied previously at Bachelor's degree level or above in English, or have IELTS 6.5 with no sub-tests less than 5.5 or equivalent.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course.

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.

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.