Dementia Studies PhD - 2021 Entry

Entry Year
2021 (2020)

Duration
Part time 4 Year(s)

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Course Overview

Research into dementia is increasingly being given funding priority, reflecting both national and worldwide emphases on the importance of improving care. The UK Government has pledged to be a ‘world leader in dementia care and research,’ and stated that by 2020 the UK should be ‘the best place in the world to undertake research into dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases’.

Our prestigious Division of Health Research is home to the Centre for Ageing Research and a number of staff who are internationally recognised experts in dementia. The PhD in Dementia Studies is your chance to work with these world-leading academics on the production of a thesis that makes an original contribution to knowledge development within your area of professional practice.

Combining innovative distance learning and an annual academy held at the University, this part-time, flexible degree will help you to gain deeper critical insight into the theories, research and practices relating to dementia.

Undertaken on a part-time basis over the course of four to five years, the PhD in Dementia Studies begins with a complusory five-day induction academy at the University. Each of the subsequent academic years start with a complusory three-day autumn academy. The rest of the course is delivered via e-learning.

Due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19 (coronavirus), the Autumn Academies scheduled for September 2020 will now take place virtually rather than on our Lancaster campus. We hope to revert to our normal campus-based Academies from September 2021. Please contact either your supervisor or fhmpgoffice@lancaster.ac.uk, for more information.

Our selection of taught courses will enhance your skills in up-to-date research techniques and provide you with knowledge that extends beyond a single discipline, so you’ll graduate with a wide range of skills that aid employability. Throughout your studies, we will support you as you enhance your leadership skills and effectiveness, and as you develop advanced skills in research design, practice and dissemination. You’ll foster critical approaches to the review of evidence and improve your written and oral presentation skills.

 

Fees

Fees

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2021/22 entry fees have not yet been set.

The University will not increase the Tuition Fee you are charged during the course of an academic year.

If you are studying on a programme of more than one year's duration, the tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. The way in which continuing students' fee rates are determined varies according to an individual's 'fee status' as set out on our fees webpages.

What are tuition fees for?

Studying at a UK University means that you need to pay an annual fee for your tuition, which covers the costs associated with teaching, examinations, assessment and graduation.

The fee that you will be charged depends on whether you are considered to be a UK, EU or overseas student. Visiting students will be charged a pro-rata fee for periods of study less than a year.

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12 month session, which usually runs from October to September the following year.

How does Lancaster set overseas tuition fees?

Overseas fees, alongside all other sources of income, allow the University to maintain its abilities across the range of activities and services. Each year the University's Finance Committee consider recommendations for increases to fees proposed for all categories of student and this takes into account a range of factors including projected cost inflation for the University, comparisons against other high-quality institutions and external financial factors such as projected exchange rate movements.

What support is available towards tuition fees?

Lancaster University's priority is to support every student in making the most of their education. Many of our students each year will be entitled to bursaries or scholarships to help with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. You can find out more about financial support, studentships, and awards for postgraduate study on our website.

Related courses

Studying by blended learning

The PhD in Dementia Studies is offered part-time via blended learning. Teaching and research activities are carried out through a combination of face-to-face and online interaction, allowing you to undertake the majority of study from your own location whilst fulfilling your existing responsibilities. You will benefit from being part of a UK and internationally-based peer group working across a range of sectors.

Face-to-face interactions take place at an annual residential autumn Academy while taught modules are delivered via distance learning using our virtual learning environment and include discussion forums, collaborative digital spaces and video conferencing. All students have access to a hub space that facilitates interaction with their cohort and with students on related programmes, creating a virtual information space that’s also sociable. An academic tutor will support you during the taught phase and two supervisors provide you with support in the research phase.

Blended Learning
Woman wearing a headset and microphone completing distance learning work

Course structure

Years 1 and 2 offer advanced training in all aspects of research design and analysis. Your specialist module in year one is Dementia, which is studied alongside the Philosophy of Research and Theory and Methods. In year 2, you will undertake the following modules: Systematic Reviews, Data Analysis, and Principles of Research Design.

Teaching is delivered by blended learning, which includes on-site academies at Lancaster University and taught modules delivered via distance learning (we use an online platform called Moodle for this). You will participate in lectures, workshops, group discussions and individual activities during each academy and taught modules. An academic tutor and then two research supervisors will provide you with support for each step of your PhD.

Years 3 to 4/5 see you undertake a research project in Dementia Studies, which will conclude with the submission of your 35,000 word thesis. The project will be supervised from the University but undertaken in your own location or workplace. Supervisions can be via telephone, e-mail or Skype, depending on preference. Face-to-face meetings with your supervisors will take place during the annual academy.

The Division of Health Research

The Division of Health Research have been offering blended learning postgraduate programmes since 2010. We have many successful graduates and currently around 200 continuing students on a range of programmes who have benefited in progressing their careers from the high quality postgraduate education we provide.

Our research in ageing

Finding solutions to the major global challenges of disease prevention and care for an ageing population.

Centre for Ageing Research

Interdisciplinary research and teaching around ageing, older people and age-related disease.

International Observatory on End of Life Care

Improving palliative and end of life care for patients and family carers.

Athena Swan: gender equality at Lancaster

We hold the Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our commitment to advancing the careers of women in higher education and research.
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