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Dementia: Causes, Treatments and Research (Mental Health) MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Dementia MSc, offered jointly by the Division of Psychiatry and Queen Square Institute of Neurology, tackles one of the biggest global health problems facing society today. It provides research-oriented and cutting-edge training in the study of dementia and its scientific basis, led by international leaders in the science and practice of dementia. Two specialised pathways, in mental health and in neuroscience, are offered.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
£7,550
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
£18,750
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
All applicants: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

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Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a relevant subject such as psychology, related scientific or social scientific disciplines, medicine, biomedical or biological sciences. Applicants from other disciplines with considerable relevant work experience of dementia will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with a degree in nursing, occupational health or social work with relevant work experience and an interest in dementia can also apply.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The mental health pathway equips students with advanced knowledge of the prevention, detection and management of the dementias using epidemiological, psychosocial and clinical trial approaches, and is aimed at graduates wishing to explore or begin a research career in dementia. More information about the neuroscience pathway is also available.

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a report of up to 7,000 words, presented as a paper ready to submit to a medical, psychiatric or dementia-specialist journal.

Find out more by visiting our FAQs for the MSc Dementia programme.

Who this course is for

The programme is designed for graduates in psychology (or other related disciplines), or medical trainees who wish to pursue a career in dementia research. Mental health practitioners (i.e. those with a background in nursing, occupational therapy, or social work), are invited to apply if they have a specific interest in dementia research.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL has exceptional research strength in dementia, from laboratory to the community, including genetics, neuroscience of neurodegeneration, prevention and treatment. Students will be taught by leading international dementia researchers at the cutting-edge of their fields; more details are available at UCL Dementia Strategy. Optional modules give students access to other renowned departments across the institution e.g. UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, and UCL Medical School.

The programme is strongly focused on active student participation, encouraging learning through participating in research and enquiry and developing the practical skills needed to embark on a research career in dementia. The wide range of research interests within our division and the Queen Square Institute of Neurology allows us to offer a programme that integrates biological and psychological approaches of dementia.

Students will be offered opportunities to get involved in the work of internationally significant research groups in dementia in a stimulating, friendly and supportive environment.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Previous Dementia MSc graduates from the mental health pathway have had a strong track record of publishing papers based on their dementia research projects in peer reviewed journals, and have secured PhD scholarships (both at national and international level); academic/research posts undertaking research in dementia; or further training in clinical psychology. For clinicians, the MSc allows them to participate fully in collaborative studies and begin their research career as independent investigators in dementia research.

Employability

This unique and exciting programme will equip graduates with advanced knowledge of the prevention and treatment of dementia, and strong practical research skills in order to undertake doctoral research in the field. They will acquire in-depth understanding of the current status and direction of research for the treatment and care of people with dementia and their families, providing them with a strong foundation for doctoral studies, and applications for nationally funded fellowships and national and international PhD scholarships. They will complete original research in their specific field of interest, learning about dementia research directly from experts working in clinical and research areas in dementia.

Networking

You will work with other students and tutors drawn from across the Faculty and University. Also, there is an alumni network for the Division of Psychiatry MSc graduates.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars and workshops, with considerable use of supporting online learning.

Assessment methods include unseen examinations, coursework including designing questionnaires and protocols and analysing data, giving talks and presenting posters, and a final report in the format of a journal paper or brief for clinicians or service planners.

For each 15 credit module there will be approximately 25 contact hours, with around 120 hours of self directed study.

Modules

Full-time students should choose 180 credits to make up their MSc. 
The compulsory modules are:

The remaining 45 credits can be obtained from optional modules.

Optional modules

Part-time students should choose 90 credits in their first year and 90 credits in their second year (180 credits in 2 years).

The compulsory modules are:

The remaining 45 credits can be obtained from optional modules.

Optional modules

Modular Flexible students can take between 1 to 5 years to complete their MSc which is made up of 180 credits.

The compulsory modules are:

The remaining 45 credits can be obtained from optional modules.

Optional modules

Compulsory modules







Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Dementia: Causes, Treatments and Research (Mental Health).

Placement

We do not have formal assessed placements as part of the course, but many students spend a day a week volunteering in NHS or clinical research settings for all or part of the course, and we are happy to help people find suitable settings in which to undertake this voluntary experience.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

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Introduction to Postgraduate Programmes at the UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences

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Find out more about studying for a Master's degree at one of the world's leading universities in the fields of psychology, language sciences, psychiatry, neuroscience, ophthalmology and audiology. This virtual webinar will include an introduction to the Faculty of Brain Sciences' postgraduate courses.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100 £7,550
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500 £18,750

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

The programme team support students in obtaining volunteer placements in relevant mental health care and research settings, but this is not a formal part of the course and is entirely optional. Small costs may be associated with these placements, especially for travel around London, and need to be met by the student. 

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

The Division of Psychiatry offers bursaries and small scholarships each year to students who show great promise as mental health researchers. NOCLOR (North Central London Research Consortium) also funds awards for staff of trusts in North London and Camden. Islington NHS Foundation Trust also provides scholarships for its staff. Please find out more on our webpage here.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Dementia: Causes Treatment and Research (Mental Health) at graduate level?
  • Why you want to study this programme at UCL?
  • What particularly attracts you to the chosen programme and which modules particularly interest you
  • How your academic and professional background and skills equip you to meet the demands of this challenging programme
  • Where would you like to go professionally with your degree?

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Psychiatry
Division of Psychiatry

dop.msc.enquiries@ucl.ac.uk

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