MPH Master of Public Health Ageing and Dementia
Prepare for a career in public health with our MPH Ageing and Dementia. Learn from world-leading experts, develop vital research skills and gain hands-on experience.
Key facts
- Award MPH, Postgraduate Certificate, Professional Graduate Diploma
- Start date September 2027
- Duration Full-time: 12 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
Overview
Ageing and dementia are recognised by the WHO and UN as global public health concerns. Addressing the challenges of age-related disease, particularly non-communicable conditions such as dementia, is becoming a concern of governments around the world. Against this backdrop, organisations need professionals who can shape public health policies, improve services and support healthy ageing at scale.
Our Masters in Public Health Ageing and Dementia will help you meet this challenge. Everything you’ll learn is designed to give you the skills and knowledge you’ll need to address age-related public health issues in the UK and beyond.
What you’ll learn
Leading experts in ageing and dementia and public health at the University will prepare you for your future career. As you study this Masters in Public Health (MPH) you’ll learn:
- the role public health plays in the lives of older people and people living with dementia around the world;
- how to analyse key public health theories and apply these to practice;
- how to ensure your research is based on the best and most relevant evidence in the field of ageing and dementia;
- how environmental, social, commercial and economic systems influence health outcomes locally and globally;
- how to create a significant piece of original ageing and dementia research through your dissertation.
Gain practical skills on placement
The MPH Ageing and Dementia has an optional 15-day placement module within different health, care and research settings. This provides you with the opportunity to gain real experience of a public health setting and complete a project with the placement organisation. The skills you are learning will be used in authentic settings, maximising your employability. Throughout the module, you will:
- identify your learning and professional development needs;
- write and implement a learning contract within your placement setting;
- engage with a range of people working within public health;
- critically reflect on your own practice.
Learn from internationally recognised ageing and dementia experts
Stirling is recognised as a leader in the field of gerontology and dementia studies. Our research focuses on supporting older people and people with dementia to live well and ensure that health and social services are adapted to both individual and population needs. You'll learn from academics who influence social and health policy, advise governments and work directly with organisations responsible for improving population health.
We’re also home to the Institute for Social Marketing and Health. This award-winning research cluster will ensure you have the latest knowledge in health marketing, behaviour change and public policy.
All our connections also mean you’ll benefit from the latest insights from organisations working in the field of ageing and dementia. You’ll hear from our industry partners and see how the skills you’re learning are being put to work across the public health sector.
Stirling’s research in Social Work and Social Policy ranks among the top 25 universities in the UK (REF 2021). You’ll be part of this rich learning environment alongside students from around the world. The course also maps to both the UK Faculty of Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework and the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (APHEA) curriculum. So you can be confident that everything you learn is aligned with the real needs of the public health sector.
Top reasons to study with us
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work experience are encouraged to apply.
Your first degree (honours level) must be in a relevant field and may include, but are not restricted to: Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Allied Health Professions, Microbiology and Chemistry. Degree subjects related to addressing population health outcomes for older people and those that support them may also be considered relevant.
Students from International Study Centre (ISC) must pass the ISC Pre-Masters Health programme to enter the programme. Students will complete relevant pre-masters modules and the pathway specific module Sociological and Political Concepts for entry on to the MPH (on campus) programme.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Modules
| Yr 1, semester 1 - Autumn | Public Health Practice (MPHP001) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 1 - Autumn | Research Methods in Health (MPHP003) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 1 - Autumn | Ageing and Dementia as Global Public Health Concerns (MPHP008) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 2 - Spring | Principles of Project Management (MANP015) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 2 - Spring | Applied Epidemiology (MPHP004) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 2 - Spring | Sustainability in Public Health (MPHP005) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 2 - Spring | Public Health Placement (MPHP006) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 3 - Summer | Masters Dissertation (Health) (MPHP007) | 60 credits |
Teaching
On-campus teaching will be supported with online content including videos, recorded short lectures, interactive activities and guided study. There will be opportunities to participate in hands on workshops relevant to public health.
Assessment
You will experience a range of different forms of assessment including practical, written, presentation and clinical tasks.
Course director
Fees and funding
|
2027/28 |
|
|---|---|
| UK and Republic of Ireland students | £10,400 |
| International (including EU) students | £22,500 |
Fee information
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Learn more about loans and funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods—including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
The MPH Ageing and Dementia course opens up a range of career possibilities in the fields of public health, ageing and dementia care. The course’s practical focus, optional placement and industry input all help to ensure you’ll be well prepared for a range of professional roles.
Possible sectors where your MPH will be in demand include:
- public sector health;
- allied health and social work settings;
- national and global non-governmental organisations (NGOs);
- policy bodies and research roles.
Related job roles could include:
- Public health practitioners (e.g., an older persons health advisor);
- Public health programme manager
- Public health researcher
- Health/social services planner/commissioner
Salary examples
The average salary for public health jobs across various UK locations and industries is £51,354. (Source: Coursera). Salaries for ageing and dementia researchers in the UK can range up to £77,000 (source: Glassdoor).