As the global population ages, healthcare systems must rapidly adapt to meet the complex and evolving needs of older adults. But how can health and care professionals prepare themselves to lead this change?
In this blog post, we speak with Professors Matthew Maddocks and Catherine Evans, joint Programme Directors of the online MSc in Health and Care Strategies for Ageing Populations at King’s College London.
They share expert insights on the challenges posed by ageing populations, the value of interdisciplinary and international learning, and how this fully online master’s programme empowers professionals to shape the future of health and care worldwide.
Whether you’re a clinician, policymaker, or service leader, read on to discover how this innovative MSc can enhance your career, build your research skills, and equip you to drive meaningful, sustainable change in ageing care.
What are the key challenges facing ageing populations today?
Matthew: One of the problems is the range of difficult symptoms people experience related to serious illness, including pain, breathlessness and fatigue. These can lead to changes in physical function and can disrupt their usual roles and routines, including with work, family, caregiving and leisure activities.
If we can improve health and care, including better assessment and treatments for these symptoms, we can make a real difference to people’s everyday lives.
Catherine: The global population is ageing due to advances in healthcare, disease prevention, and quality of life. This major demographic shift affects all areas of society, especially health and care systems. It creates a growing need for healthcare professionals equipped to meet the specific needs of older adults.
Why is this Health and Care Strategies for Ageing Populations MSc valuable for health and care professionals?
Matthew: This programme offers a special opportunity for health and care professionals to study and learn together. This interdisciplinary way of working reflects best clinical practice. Individuals bring particular skills linked to their core profession, but work closely together in teams, and embrace different approaches to broaden their perspective.
The international nature of the programme also means students will be part of a global peer group. They build up networks, opportunities and lasting relationships with their cohort members.
Catherine: This MSc is designed to support education that aligns with current international recommendations for health and care strategies for ageing populations across the globe.
This ensures the programme is at the forefront of evidence on the solutions to meet the health and care needs of ageing populations. It equips you with the skills to critically consider the solutions and evidence for your context. It also helps you identify the approaches to apply in practice and engage policy makers to leverage sustainable change.
In what ways does this MSc support career progression?
Matthew: The programme is very forward looking. It is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed in health and care systems now and in the near future.
Masters-level study demonstrates an ability to find and synthesise information, interpret and apply evidence, and help shape policy and practice development. We expect our graduates to grow professionally and personally, and to be future leaders in the field.
Catherine: Your learning and development are designed to enhance your career and prospects as leaders in delivering health and care for ageing populations.
You will achieve this by undertaking a bespoke programme delivered via a single course of online education. It covers the entire care curriculum spanning healthy ageing, rehabilitation and palliative care.
You’ll have opportunities to build your networks to support your career progression through connecting with research leaders in fields of ageing, rehabilitation and palliative care. The connections you make with your fellow students will support you both during your master’s and beyond.
How are students encouraged to engage in academic research?
Matthew: The first module provides a foundation to understand research and evaluation methods, from literature searching to implementation and knowledge mobilisation. It sets students up to engage with academic research across subsequent modules. This includes reading and critiquing papers, understanding the current state of the science, and finding and citing studies when completing the module assignments.
Catherine: Your final module is a research project. This is an opportunity for you to pursue and hone your research skills to answer a research question that matters to you. You’ll work with your project supervisor and their research team to develop and deliver your research project. This will extend and deepen your research knowledge.
We encourage and support students to disseminate their work by, for example, submitting conference abstracts and publishing their work in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
What are the benefits of doing this Health and Care Strategies for Ageing Populations MSc online?
Matthew: The online delivery of this programme offers more flexibility compared to classroom learning. Students have greater control over when, where, and how they access and revisit materials, and contribute to discussion feeds.
It suits the international student body, avoiding fixed lectures in the early hours or late at night. It also allows learners to progress their studies alongside work and caregiving commitments.
We’ve worked hard with support from King's Digital to ensure the course materials are specifically designed for the online environment. Our goal is to provide a lively, dynamic and engaging learning experience.
Catherine: One of the key benefits of doing this programme online is the increased accessibility it offers to a diverse, multidisciplinary group of students.
Students come from various professional backgrounds, including health and care, policy, service design, and management. This diversity mirrors the collaborative approach needed to support ageing populations. It creates a dynamic learning environment where students can share knowledge and learn from each other, regardless of their location.
Additionally, the online format makes high-quality education more affordable and flexible. As highlighted by the World Health Organization, there is a global need to strengthen the health and care workforce through accessible learning opportunities.
Studying online allows students to remain employed in their home countries while completing the progamme. This makes it a practical and cost-effective option that supports professional growth without requiring relocation or a career break.
What excites or interests you most about this programme?
Matthew: I’m really interested in the fact that the programme covers the range of specialities required to improve care for ageing populations.
I believe in this way it will promote thinking that prioritises integrated working and breaks down professional silos. It also promotes shared learning about the ways that quality care is delivered.
Catherine: It’s been exciting thinking about and developing a programme tailored and responsive to meeting the needs of our global populations. This has created the opportunity to work with colleagues from across King’s, all focused on improving health and care for ageing populations.
This has enabled us to bring together leaders in their respective fields, all with a commitment and passion to improve health and care for older adults globally.
What advice would you offer to prospective applicants?
Matthew: I would say to bring your true self to your studies. We want to create an inclusive and diverse student body and hear about each person's experience, context and passions.
Catherine: Come study with us. This is a great opportunity for you to extend your knowledge and skills in ways that are exciting and stimulating. You’ll also do it in manageable steps where you can digest and consider your learning. Be inspired and have fun! And connect with others to support your continued career progression and aspirations for the future.
Thank you to Professors Matthew Maddocks and Catherine Evans for sharing their insights with us!
Shape the future of health and care for older adults
This Health and Care Strategies for Ageing Populations MSc is more than a degree. It’s a call to action for professionals who want to lead in transforming how we support ageing populations around the world. If you're ready to advance your career, connect with global peers, and gain actionable, interdisciplinary skills, this online master’s is for you.
