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At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Driven by a commitment to research-informed interdisciplinary education, the MSc examines demographic ageing from a public policy perspective, critically assessing existing approaches and future directions to secure an effective and fair means of engaging older people in ageing societies.
Hosted at the internationally recognised Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, the course comprises of an applied project, and taught modules in the areas of: public policy and the economics of ageing; social exclusion and inequality; international policy; health systems and policy analysis; work, pensions and retirement; and diversity, ageing and the life course.
Taster “Lecture” - This hour long Taster Lecture for the new MSc In Ageing & Public Policy at NUI Galway features four 10-minute mini-lectures, followed by a Q&A session, on the following areas:
Dynamics of Ageing & Public policy
International Policy & Ageing
Work, Pensions and Retirement
Social Exclusion and Inequalities in Later Life
In completing this programme, students will be able to:
Analyze critical policy challenges relevant to demographic ageing and the lived experiences of a diverse older population
Assess the role of public policy in the fair and effective allocation of resources and opportunities across the life course
Evaluate the readiness and influence of existing policy structures and broader socio-political context on the success of policy implementation
Assess to what degree the application of policy levers are supporting older people and boosting system sustainability, or creating new unintended inequalities and system sustainability issues
Course Outline
Introduction to Ageing Studies and Policy
International Policy and Ageing
Social Exclusion and Inequalities in Later Life
Data Management and Survey Techniques
Dynamics of Ageing and Public Policy
Health Systems and Policy Analysis
Work, Pensions and Retirement
Environmental Gerontology and Ageing in Place Policy
Cost Benefit Analysis and Evaluation
Law and Policy on Independent Living
Legal Capacity Law and Policy
Applied Research Project
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Graduates will have in-depth analytical skills sets which will enhance their employability in general and age-specific public policy organisations. Graduates are likely to find employment as policy analysts, managers and researchers in government and public bodies, policy and strategic planners in civil society organisations, service coordinators and senior staff in private age-related organisations. This course will serve as an excellent grounding to pursue a PhD programme.
Unique Programme Internationally
Currently, there is no Master’s programme offering this specific topic in Ireland, and a lack of such programmes on ageing and policy in Europe. Typically, at a European level, existing programmes employ a general gerontological perspective and lack a public policy focus. This marks a substantial gap in programme development and one that the College of Business, Public Policy and Law (CBPPL) is committed to addressing through its leadership on scholarship and teaching in this area.
Ageing represents a significant research theme within the College of Business, Public Policy & Law. This is reflected both in research output and research income. The programme is distinctive in its positioning within a research informed ageing and public policy pedagogical environment. Hosted by the ICSG, the programme will be linked directly to state-of-the-art research programmes, led by international experts (Kieran Walsh, Aine Ni Leime and Eamon O’Shea) in ageing and policy, with findings and experiences from these studies informing module content and approaches. In addition the programme is delivered in collaboration with international policy experts, such as (Nena Georgantzi, AGE Platform Europe; Patricia Conboy and HelpAge International.
Who's Suited to This Course
National, European and international students from public and social policy bachelor degree programmes from across commerce and economics, law, sociology, management, gender studies and psychology disciplines who wish to gain expertise and transferable skills in public policy, and in ageing.
Level 8 students from gerontological specific programmes in European universities, who wish to continue their ageing studies in an English-speaking and research-led interdisciplinary learning environment.
Policy stakeholders, civil servants and service practitioners from national, European and international public and third sector agencies in sectors relevant to ageing.
Accessibility & Language
