Ageing, Inequalities & Rights

Programme Overview

Adopting an overall focus on public policy and its transversal concern with ageing-related matters, the aim of this programme is to provide a research-informed overview of ageing and inequalities in later life, through the lens of a rights-based approach and in the context of international policy debates. The programme addresses 3 core pillars:

Ageing: attendees will consider the significance of demographic ageing for contemporary societies, assessing key ageing-related frameworks and policy constructs and their framing of later life policy challenges and solutions

Equality: attendees will examine the theory and evidence related to the construction of inequality and implications for equality amongst older populations, and for individuals and policy systems.

Rights: attendees will explore the emergence of ageing as a human rights area, critically assessing the potential for a UN treaty on the rights of older people to support diverse ageing populations across international jurisdictions. In doing so, attendees will review examples of the application of selected human rights norms to key inequities and mistreatments experienced by older people

A reduced fee of €550 is available to those working in non-profit or community-based organisations, including NGOs.  Please contact the Microcreds Team on microcreds@universityofgalway.ie with details of your employment status in order to avail of the reduced fee.

This course is 100% continous assessment and you can find a copy of the course outline here: ECS5151 Course Outline

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be 21 years of age. Normally a H2.1 undergraduate degree is required in a related social science discipline (e.g. policy, law, economics, sociology, psychology, management, social work, etc.) or a cognate field of study (e.g. health sciences, public health). IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent if applicable. Applications from people with commensurate experience in ageing-related policy and practice will also be considered.

What Will You Learn

The programme addresses three core pillars. Ageing: attendees will consider the significance of demographic ageing for contemporary societies, assessing key ageing-related frameworks and policy constructs and their framing of later life policy challenges and solutions.

Equality: Attendees will examine the theory and evidence related to the construction and implications of multifaceted inequalities amongst older populations, and the implications for individuals and policy systems.

Rights: Attendees will explore the emergence of ageing as a human rights area, critically assessing the potential for a UN treaty on the rights of older people to support diverse ageing populations across international jurisdictions. In doing so, attendees will review examples of the application of selected human rights norms to key inequities and mistreatments experienced by older people.

Who should apply:

• Those working in the areas of ageing-related policy, practice and advocacy, with an interest in human rights or those working in the area of human rights with an interest in ageing
• Those working in these areas, or linked field across: government public agencies; non-government organisations, the European and international multilateral systems, and international civil society
• Those committed to developing a professional and personal interest in ageing and equality for the purposes of career and personal development, and on-going study.

Course Outcomes: On successful completion of this micro-credential, you will receive credits as per the European Credit and Transfer System. These credits are recognised by the awarding institution as credits aligned to learning completed at postgraduate level 9.

Learning Outcomes

1. Examine the impact of ageing inequalities on the fairness of ageing societies, and the effectiveness of policy systems.
2. Assess the relevance of theoretical frameworks and current policy constructs in addressing inequalities.
3. Understand human rights in the context of ageing and the implications of applying a rights-based approach to public policies.
4. Critically engage with human rights scholarship and international human rights law to assess its influence and application on ageing strategies.
5. Understand potential applications and gaps in the existing international human rights law framework with respect to ageing and later life experiences.

How To Apply

You can apply for this micro-credential through our Online Application Portal.

Learn more about our application process.

When completing your application please make sure to select the following categories:

College/Interest Type: Business, Management & Law
Academic Programme: Select your micro-credential from the drop-down list
Academic Term: Select the academic term Autumn 2025 (Semester 1) or Spring 2026 (Semester 2)

If you have any questions about this course, please contact microcreds@universityofgalway.ie