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Ageing and Public Policy (MSc)
Course Overview
Aim
This Masters' in Ageing & Public Policy critically examines demographic ageing from a public policy perspective, and is driven by a commitment to research-led interdisciplinary education. It assesses existing approaches and future directions to secure effective and fair ageing societies.
This MSc is a new innovative, interdisciplinary programme that delivers sought after transferrable and topic specific skillsets, and which incorporates an applied project and placements at national public, NGO and private organisations. The MSc is available on a full-time or part-time basis and is intended to be delivered as both an in person or a remote access programme.
International Programme Distinctiveness
- First programme of its kind in Ireland, and one of the first that is available internationally.
- Hosted at an internationally recognised research centre - Irish Centre for Social Gerontology
- Delivered in collaboration with international policy experts (AGE Platform Europe; HelpAge International).
Why Ageing, Why Now
- With the world’s older population projected to double by 2050, population ageing is recognised as a global challenge for sustainable development, and one of three major transformations facing the European Union, and the social, economic and health systems of its states.
- The Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda and the forthcoming European Commission Green Paper on Ageing testify to how ageing can create sustainability and equity challenges in every major policy domain – social protection, health, finance, housing and environment, employment, etc.
- Despite extensive political commitment to finding innovative means to adapt to demographic change, existing efforts are often uncoordinated and ad-hoc with increasing evidence of growing inequalities amongst older populations.The COVID-19 pandemic has only further not only exposed weakness in ageing-related policy, but also the neglect of the diversity of needs and preferences of the ageing populations.
- There is a marked gap in graduate labour force skills, and capacity, to help public agencies, civil society organisations and private companies to address these challenges and to capitalise on the opportunities within ageing societies.
Graduate Skills
Provides topic specific and transferable skills sets including:
• In-depth knowledge of ageing related policy
• In-depth knowledge of public policy systems
• Capacity for critical thinking and theorizing
• Ability to assess and evaluate public polices
• Research, data and analytical methods
• Ability to apply data analysis techniques to real world policy challenges
Taster Session
On 19 May 2021 we held a Taster Session for the MSc in Ageing and Public Policy. Listen back>>
Areas which were covered in this session were:
- Dynamics of Ageing & Public policy
- International Policy & Ageing
- Work, Pensions and Retirement
- Social Exclusion and Inequalities in Later Life.
The Irish Centre for Social Gerontology
Mission
With a view to informing a holistic understanding of later life in public policy, the ICSG conducts research on ageing and the life course that responds to gaps in scientific knowledge, policy and practice, while promoting the diversity of ageing experiences.
International Research Expertise
- Social exclusion and inequality in later life
- Place and older people’s environmental context
- Work and retirement
- Health care services and infrastructure
Current Projects - For a list of current ICSG projects click here
Recent Publications – For a list of ICSG publications click here
Hear From Our Experts:
Click on this video to view some of the ageing-related public-policy work and messages that our programme lectures are involved with.
Invitation 10 June 2021: DAISIE Policy Event on Extended Working Life and Pensions
You are invited to attend a webinar Policy Event on Extended Working Life and Pensions on June 10th 2021 at 12 noon. DAISIE Agenda 10 June 2021
To register for the event click here, for any queries, please contact icsg@nuigalway.ie.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Who Teaches this Course
Meet the lecturers: Ageing and Public Policy - lecturers
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Normally a H2.1 undergraduate degree is required in a related social science discipline (e.g. economics; sociology; management; social work; policy orientated degrees) 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.
Additional Requirements
Duration
1 year, full-time; 2 years, part-time
Next start date
September 2021
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
25
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
Please view the offer rounds website.
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
90
Award
CAO
Course code
1MEP1; 1MEP2
Course Outline
List of modules:
- 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
- Systematic Review Methods
- Applied Research Project (e.g Policy Brief, Research Report)
- Placements with national public, NGO and private organisations (tied to applied 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.The Masters in Ageing & Public Policy provides topic specific and transferable skills sets including:
- In-depth knowledge of ageing related policy
- In-depth knowledge of public policy systems
- Capacity for critical thinking and theorizing
- Ability to assess and evaluate public polices
- Research, data and analytical methods
- Ability to apply data analysis techniques to real world policy challenges
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 and 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; 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, 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.
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Students will engage in work placements:
Opt 1: Paid placement
The employer organisation funds the placement for a minimum duration of 8 weeks. During this time the student will be based full-time (in-person, or through remote working) with the organisation.
Opt 2: Voluntary Research Internships
The student completes an applied project over a period of 6-8 weeks. During this time, the student will be based at the ICSG, but will visit and liaise with the organisation at agreed times. The student will produce an applied project (e.g. mini-research report or evidence-based policy brief) and will give a presentation on completion of the work placement.
Students will have a placement supervisor and an academic supervisor.
Applying for a placement:
Both models will involve students applying for and engaging in a competitive process for a placement. Students may also organise their own placements in collaboration with the Programme Director.
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
€6,716 p.a. 2021/22
Fees: Tuition
€6,576 p.a. 2021/22
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2021/22
Fees: Non EU
€16,916 p.a. 2021/22
EU 1MEP2, part-time: €3,393 p.a.
Student Levy: €140 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI. Further detail here https://su.nuigalway.ie/
Find out More
Programme Director:
Prof. Kieran Walsh
Irish Centre for Social Gerontology
T: +353 91 495 460
E: kieran.walsh@nuigalway.ie / icsg@nuigalway.ie
W:www.icsg.ie
What policy experts and stakeholders say
Mairead McGuinness | MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament
Living a long, healthy and happy life is what most of us wish for. Yet as we age, we can lose independence, be treated differently and feel left behind and left out. We need to rethink how we look at the ageing process and how we respond to it. This course is an important one which will help those who undertake it to look at the challenge of a growing older adult population and find solutions which respect the dignity and rights of older people.
Dr. Alexandre Sidorenko | European Centre for Social Welfare Policy & Research
Adjusting to ageing society envisages translating the research findings, international policy frameworks and national programmes into concrete actions. There are too few professionals who can lead such efforts, and it is a major gap in national and international capacity on ageing. The Irish Centre for Social Gerontology of NUI Galway is well positioned to fill this gap. It is high time to do it
Anne-Sophie Parent | Former Secretary General, AGE Platform Europe
AGE Platform Europe welcomes the launch of NUI Galway new MSc programme on Ageing and Public Policy. In today’s context of rapid demographic ageing and increased digitalisation, policy makers need guidance to develop innovative policies to address the societal concerns interconnected with population ageing. This new Master programme is the first in Ireland to take a comprehensive approach to engage older people in societies and eradicate inequalities in old age.
Robert Anderson | Head of Unit, Social Policies, Eurofound
Eurofound is an EU Agency providing knowledge on living and working conditions to policy makers, specifically at EU level. Our work programmes consistently emphasise the importance of demographic change and the life course perspective; and the links between ageing of the workforce and ageing of the general population. There is a growing need for people skilled in relating results of research on ageing to diverse policy themes. Therefore, I welcome the MSc in Ageing and Public Policy.
Prof. Thomas Scharf | Prof. Thomas Scharf Professor of Social Gerontology, Newcast
Around the world, countries are responding in remarkably different ways to the opportunities and challenges associated with ageing populations. This type of academic programme is of great value to students who are keen to deepen their knowledge of the many ways in which public policy is able to address demographic change.
AACSB - Global Accreditation
AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting students, educators, and businesses worldwide
Have a Question?
Feedback from Industry:
"To reap the dividends of population ageing we must reduce social exclusion of older persons. This masters programme in Ageing and Public Policy will build much-needed capacity in policy development and analysis toward leaving no one behind. "
Prof. Norah Keating, Director, Global Social Issues on Ageing
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