Dementia Studies (MSc)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements A minimum of a second-class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply. This course is suitable for individuals who may have experience of working with, or come into contact with individuals living with dementia in their professional or personal life. This may include: Health care professionals working with people with dementia (e.g. Doctors, Nurses, allied health professionals). Social care staff (e.g social workers, people working in residential or nursing care settings, people working in local authority or private social care services). People working with voluntary associations or charities working with people with dementia. Family members providing care or support to a person with dementia in their family. Individuals hoping to enter a career which may involve working with people with dementia. Entry route via undergraduate modules Our undergraduate modules on Dementia and the Environment (DEMU9C2) and Huntington’s disease: an enabling approach to supporting families (DEMU9D5) offer an entry route for applicants who do not meet the entry requirements to study this MSc Dementia Studies course. They also provide an introduction to online learning and the approach taken by the team here at Stirling. International entry requirements View the entry requirements for your country. 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.

Course details

Our Dementia Studies (Online) course features nine individual modules, and three possible qualifications – an MSc, Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert). This modular structure extends across all three years of the programme (there is no final year dissertation) and will develop your academic skills at postgraduate level, including research approaches and methods. To earn your Masters, you’ll need to complete all nine modules, while you can attain a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) by completing six modules, or the Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) by completing three modules.  We also offer selected modules on a standalone basis. Each semester starts with an online introductory session. You will then join an online tutorial group of fellow students and teaching staff. Academic learning is subsequently undertaken through a combination of individual study and interactive online sessions with your tutorial group. Learning is designed to be flexible so that you can study when and where you choose. Modules Teaching Our online learning allows you to interact and get support from your tutors, as well as providing access to the course materials and reading material. Flexibility is offered, recognising that some students work shifts or are in different time zones so teaching allows you to fit study around your work commitments. Special emphasis is placed on a collaborative and problem-solving approach to learning and on encouraging reflective practice. How you'll learn online All teaching uses text- and web-based distance-learning materials. A specially designed online learning platform is available for students to access course information and recorded lectures, take part in online discussions and contact the course tutors. A module workbook forms the basis of the student’s individual study and is built upon by wider reading. Each semester you’ll benefit from live online sessions with guest speakers and events including input from people living with dementia. You’ll require access to a computer with an internet connection. Assessment All modules are assessed through coursework such as essays, evaluation reports, research proposals and literature reviews. Classroom hours Each module on our Dementia Studies course consists of 200 hours study. Course director Professor Louise McCabe Key staff Professor Louise McCabe has worked in the field of dementia studies in both practice and academia for over twenty years, starting her career as a care worker in residential homes for older people. Louise has been at the University since 2000 and has built a significant portfolio of ageing and dementia research with a focus on the potential of services to improve the lives of families with dementia including user-focused evaluations and cross-national studies of ageing and dementia care services in the UK, Europe and India. Dr Grant Gibson is a Lecturer in Dementia Studies and has been an academic researcher in the fields of dementia care and chronic illnesses in old age for over 12 years. Over this period he has worked on projects evaluating satisfaction with memory services among people with dementia and their carers, the design and implementation of assistive technology for people with dementia, and the provision of health and social care services for people with dementia and their carers in primary care. Grant also has experience of carrying out research with people with Parkinson's disease. Dr Richard Ward is a Senior Lecturer in Dementia Studies. He is a registered social worker with a background in older people's services and has specialised in dementia care. As a researcher, Richard's work emphasises participatory approaches aimed at supporting people living with dementia to make a meaningful contribution to research. His current research interests lie particularly in the area of dementia, place and space.

Fees and funding

Fees and costs 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. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . 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. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . 2025-26 fees UK and Republic of Ireland students International (including EU) students Cost for each 20-credit module £TBC £TBC Total cost for PGCert (3 modules) £2,933 £4,400 Total cost for PGDip (6 modules) £5,867 £8,800 Total cost for MSc (9 modules) £8,800 £13,200 2026-27 fees UK and Republic of Ireland students International (including EU) students Cost for each 20-credit module £1,078 £1,611 Total cost for PGCert (3 modules) £3,233 £4,833 Total cost for PGDip (6 modules) £6,467 £9,667 Total cost for MSc (9 modules) £9,700 £14,500 You will be liable to pay tuition fees for every module you enrol on. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course. If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees. This fee is charged as a module fee. Details of the tuition fee policy relating to module fees can be found in our tuition fees policy . Postgraduate tuition fee loans This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. 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 Postgraduate tuition fee loans Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales . Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI . International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers. Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships There are five awards available with this scholarship that will cover your course fees. Find out more about the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships . 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

This course is designed for professionals or volunteers already involved in dementia care, for people who are or have been family carers, or for anyone with an interest in developing a career in dementia care. For those in employment, the flexible nature of the course lets you study while continuing to work in your existing post. After graduating, you will be qualified to progress to specialised posts in your sector, helping you to develop as a leader in your organisation or sector. Experienced dementia carers in the UK can earn an average annual salary of £36,000 (source: Talent.com) and salaries for dementia researchers in the UK can range up to £77,000 (source: Glassdoor). There are a broad range of different roles available, and our course can boost career opportunities to move to specialised posts. Our graduates have progressed their careers by: moving on to senior, specialised posts within dementia care; developing their career as dementia specialists and leaders in the wider professional sector (e.g. design, architecture, law); moving to posts in the third sector or local national government; securing promotion to more senior leadership positions in Health and Social Care; building successful academic and scientific research careers; starting or expanding their own dementia care organisations. Organisations our graduates have gone on to work in include: Scottish Care; Local and National Government Agencies (e.g Scottish Government, Care Quality Commission, Care Inspectorate); Local, UK and International Dementia Charities (e.g Alzheimer Scotland, Dementia NI, Dementia UK, Alzheimer’s Society); NHS Trusts and NHS Health and Social Care Partnerships; Local Authorities; Housing Associations; Dementia Friendly Communities Organisations; Higher and Further Education Institutions (e.g. Universities, FE Colleges).