Online, part-time
Health and Care Strategies for Ageing Populations MScMaster the skills to design innovative policies and services that meet the unique needs of ageing populations.
Key information
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Study mode: |
100% online |
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Duration: |
2 years, part time |
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Next start date: |
September 2025 |
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Application deadline: |
Date TBC |
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Intakes: |
September 2025, January 2026 and May 2026 |
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Tuition fees: |
£17,172* (funding options and instalments are available) |
These tuition fees may be subject to increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
* Depending on your country of residence, you may also have to pay Goods and Services Tax (GST) in addition to your tuition fees. You can find further information on the King's Goods and Services tax page.
Course overview
The world’s population is ageing. From healthcare breakthroughs to disease prevention and overall improvements in quality of life, there are plenty of factors that contribute to this pattern. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) describes population ageing as being “poised to become one of the most significant social transformations of the twenty-first century”.
This dramatic shift impacts every aspect of society, from labour and economy to transportation and welfare systems. And of course, health and care provision is at the forefront of this seismic change. Consequently, there’s a soaring demand for healthcare professionals who are qualified to tackle the unique challenges of health and care for ageing populations.
We’ve designed our course to help you meet this exact demand. Throughout your studies, you’ll become equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to address the complex health and care challenges of ageing populations globally. We adopt a multidisciplinary approach, addressing the full spectrum of ageing care, including prevention, rehabilitation, through to end-of-life support.
Drawing on the latest research and global health strategies, we’ll prepare you to lead and innovate in health and care systems for ageing populations. As a graduate, you’ll be positioned to shape a more dignified, compassionate future for elderly people across the globe.
Apply nowAbout the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care
You’ll be studying within the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, a globally recognised leader in health and care research and education. Ranked 2nd in the world for nursing and midwifery (QS World University Rankings 2024), the faculty is at the forefront of interdisciplinary research and innovation in health and care across settings and disciplines.
You’ll also gain insights from the Cicely Saunders Institute, a WHO Collaborating Centre for palliative care, policy, and rehabilitation. As the world’s first purpose-built institute for palliative care, the Cicely Saunders Institute leads national and international research, driving advancements in education, clinical care, and policy.
You’ll learn directly from internationally renowned researchers, practitioners, and policy makers who are global leaders in health and ageing. Studying with us gives you access to insights from King’s health and care faculties, equipping you with the knowledge to tackle the challenges of ageing populations globally.
Who is this programme for?
- Professionals in health and care roles, such as doctors, nurses, therapists, and social workers, who want to deepen their knowledge of caring for older people.
- Professionals who plan or manage health and social care services, such as policymakers, service managers, and commissioners.
- Researchers who want to specialise in ageing, rehabilitation, or palliative care, using the latest research and evidence.
- Professionals interested in global health and finding better ways to support ageing populations and health workers.
- Anyone looking to become a leader in designing and delivering better care for older people.
Why choose this online MSc?
State-of-the-art learning and collaboration
Benefit from King’s cutting-edge online education and access to research opportunities, connecting with leading experts in applied health and social sciences for ageing populations.
Interdisciplinary expertise
Gain a comprehensive perspective by integrating insights from public health, sociology, and health economics, equipping you to tackle complex challenges in ageing care.
Comprehensive patient care curriculum
Learn to provide holistic care across all stages, from prevention to palliative care, ensuring patient-centred outcomes.
Research opportunities in ageing care
Work with leading experts to explore innovative approaches to addressing health and social care challenges for ageing populations.
What you'll study
This MSc provides a strong foundation in the theories and practical skills needed to address the challenges of ageing populations.
Throughout your studies, you’ll:
- Develop a critical understanding of concepts and methodologies related to ageing populations.
- Learn to evaluate the quality of health research and policies for effective implementation.
- Gain practical skills to assess and design interventions for ageing populations.
- Build expertise in planning, leadership, and quality improvement for healthcare services.
Module overview
This MSc is structured around five key modules, totalling up to 180 credits. They each explore essential aspects of health and care for ageing populations. They also provide a comprehensive foundation in research methods, rehabilitation, symptom management, policy development, and practical project design.
The Research Proposal and Project module concludes your studies. This final project is your chance to demonstrate everything you have learned and create a thorough, concrete research output.
Core modules:
This module introduces the foundational concepts and methodologies required to conduct and evaluate research related to ageing populations. It explores global ageing trends, health strategies, and policy frameworks.
You’ll develop the skills to critically appraise research methods, ethical frameworks, and intervention strategies.
The module covers key statistical principles, qualitative research methods, and the development of research protocols. This enables you to design studies that address the challenges of ageing. You’ll also gain practical experience in formulating research questions, analysing data, and evaluating complex interventions in ageing research.
This module focuses on contemporary rehabilitation practices tailored to ageing populations with multiple chronic conditions.
You’ll critically analyse disability frameworks, rehabilitation theories, and care models while addressing the social determinants of health and function. The module covers evidence-based interventions, outcomes measurement, and stakeholder engagement.
It also adopts a global perspective on rehabilitation policy and service integration. By examining key case studies and seminal research, you'll build skills to develop, implement, and assess effective rehabilitation strategies. This enables you to ensure improved health and functional outcomes for multimorbid populations.
This module equips you with advanced knowledge and skills to assess and manage complex symptoms in ageing adults with multimorbidity. It integrates evidence-based strategies to address physical, psychosocial, ethical, and cultural dimensions of care.
You'll explore conditions such as frailty, delirium, and pain, alongside communication strategies for navigating difficult conversations with patients and families.
Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical decision-making. This empowers you to deliver comprehensive and culturally sensitive care that improves quality of life for ageing individuals.
Using a whole-systems approach, this module explores the creation and implementation of health services and policies tailored to ageing populations.
You’ll examine global and local contexts, analysing healthcare inequalities and the cost-effectiveness of services. The module covers leadership theories, quality assurance processes, and change management strategies, preparing you to develop sustainable, impactful solutions.
You’ll gain skills to address complex challenges in service planning, quality improvement, and healthcare policy for ageing populations worldwide.
In this module, you’ll design and execute an original research project. Guided by expert supervisors, you'll develop a robust proposal, aligning research questions with appropriate methodologies. The module covers project management skills, ethical considerations, and communication strategies, culminating in a dissertation that contributes to the field of ageing research.
You can choose from a wide range of topics, some of which link to King’s research groups and large ongoing research programmes. We’ll also support you in proposing a research topic of your own.
You’ll build expertise in study design, data analysis, and dissemination of findings to both academic and non-specialist audiences.
Meet your co-Programme Directors
Professor Matthew Maddocks
Professor of Health Services Research & Rehabilitation, Co-Programme Director, online Health and Care Strategies for Ageing Populations MSc
Matthew is an academic physiotherapist specialising in rehabilitation and palliative care. He leads research advancing symptom management and rehabilitation for serious illnesses, focusing on issues like breathlessness, fatigue, cachexia, sarcopenia, and frailty.
View profile
Professor Catherine Evans
Professor of Palliative Care, Interim Director of the Cicely Saunders Institute, Co-Programme Director, online Health and Care Strategies for Ageing Populations MSc
Since 2011, Catherine she has maintained a joint role within King’s’ Cicely Saunders Institute and the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. Her work and research seeks to integrate palliative care into community healthcare for older adults with complex needs.
View profileHow you’re assessed
Students receive formative feedback on presentations and assignments, and summative assessments ensure mastery of course material. The research project offers an opportunity for original contribution to the field. Assessments are likely to include one or more of the following:
Written coursework
Written coursework
Interactive seminars
Interactive seminars
Research dissertation
Research dissertation
Presentations
Presentations
Entry requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying, you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
It’s also desirable to have 2-3 years’ employment or experience in a health or care role, but this isn’t compulsory for entry.
Please note that if you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a master's or PGDip).
English language band: D
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed:
- An undergraduate degree (at least three years duration) within five years of the course start date.
- A postgraduate taught degree (at least one year) within five years of the course start date.
- A PhD in a majority English-speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Depending on your previous qualifications, you may need to submit a personal statement and a reference letter as part of your application.
You’ll need to submit a copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you’ve already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required.
Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. You’ll need to submit your CV as part of your application to highlight your experience.
Not sure if you meet the requirements, or if the course is right for you? Speak to our team to get tailored support:
Discuss my optionsCareer options
This course prepares you to lead and innovate in today’s dynamic global healthcare landscape. With a focus on ageing populations, it combines an interdisciplinary curriculum, research-driven learning, and practical application. You’ll develop leadership, research, and service development skills, positioning you as a key contributor in your field.
Graduates gain a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, service design, and policy development. You’ll also learn to work across disciplines to improve outcomes for older adults. This course supports your professional growth, enabling you to contribute to local care improvements and influence health policy at national or international levels. Possible career opportunities for graduates include:
- Health Policy Advisor: Analyse healthcare policies and create strategies to improve outcomes for ageing populations.
- Rehabilitation Specialist: Develop and evaluate interventions for older adults with multimorbid conditions.
- Public Health Analyst: Assess population health trends and shape impactful public health strategies.
- Palliative Care Consultant: Manage complex symptoms with compassionate, culturally sensitive care.
- Ageing Researcher: Lead studies in areas such as healthy ageing, service development, and policy innovation.
This course is perfect for those looking to shape health strategies, advance patient-centred care, or lead research. You’ll graduate ready to create meaningful impact in healthcare systems, academia, and beyond.
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