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The new Dementia MSc is offered jointly by the Division of Psychiatry and Queen Square Institute of Neurology and 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.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
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.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
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. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
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.
Select your country:
About this degree
The mental health pathway focuses on equipping 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.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
Core/Compulsory modules: The programme consists of four or five core modules (75 or 105 credits);
Optional modules and dissertation:
Depending on number of core modules taken students choose one, two or three optional modules (worth of 15 or 45 credits); and a dissertation/report (60 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Dementia: Causes, Treatments and Research (Mental Health).
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 is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Current Research in Dementia (15 credits)
- Advanced Treatment and Management of Dementia (15 credits)
- Core Principles of Mental Health Research (30 credits)
- Clinical Neuroscience of Neurodegenerative Diseases (15 credits)
- Clinical Mental Health (30 credits - core for students who do not have either research or clinical experience in the field of dementia)
Optional modules
- Optional modules have either a neuroscience, research methods, or quality improvement in health care component and are the following:
- Statistical Methods in Mental Health (15 credits)
- Practical Neuroscience of Dementia (15 credits, Institute of Neurology)
- Higher Functions of the Brain (15 credits, Institute of Neurology)
- Epidemiological and Social Methods in Mental Health (15 credits)
- Introduction to Biological Research in Mental Health (15 credits)
- Quality Improvement in Health Care (15 credits, UCL Medical School)
- Other optional modules may be selected from any available in the UCL Division of Psychiatry or elsewhere at UCL, with permission from the Programme Director
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a report of up to 8,000 words, presented as a paper ready to submit to a medical, psychiatric or dementia-specialist journal.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered though a combination of lecture/seminar series and practical interactive workshops, with supportive online learning material. Assessment methods include two unseen examinations, coursework including designing questionnaires and protocols and analysing data in dementia research, writing a critical literature review, giving talks and presentations, and a final report in the format of a journal paper.
Additional costs
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
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 & Wellbeing team.
Funding
UCLFAA MSc in Dementia Scholarship
We are delighted to announce the UCLFAA MSc in Dementia Scholarship available to US-domiciled students applying to either the Neuroscience or Mental Health pathways of the MSc Dementia: Causes, Treatments and Research at UCL. The award is worth a total of $20,000 to support tuition fees or maintenance costs for a US domiciled student studying one year full-time from September 2021.
The UCLFAA MSc in Dementia Scholarship is awarded on academic merit and financial need. Please contact the course administrator for more details on the application process. The scholarship application deadline is 31 July 2021.
To submit your scholarship statement or for any other queries please contact the course administrator Christina Kalantzi (c.kalantzi@ucl.ac.uk)
UCL MSc in Dementia (Mental Health Pathway) Scholarship
The UCL MSc in Dementia Scholarship is available to students applying on the mental health pathway of the MSc Dementia: Causes, Treatments and Research. The UCL MSc in Dementia scholarship has been funded by a former student of the Pharmacology Department of UCL.
The award will support a UK student commencing their studies in September 2021 and is worth a total of £31,000.
To be considered for this scholarship, please apply to the MSc in Dementia: Causes, Treatments and Research (Mental Health) and please contact Christina Kalantzi, the course administrator at c.kalantzi@ucl.ac.uk for more information about how to apply for the scholarship.
Awards will be made on the basis of the scholarship statement and your application for the MSc. The scholarship application deadline is 31 July 2021.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Previous Dementia MSc-level graduates of the Division 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 course 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.
Why study this degree at UCL?
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.
Department: Division of Psychiatry
Application and next steps
Applications
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.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
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: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
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.
Application deadlines
- Visa nationals
- 31 May 2021
- Non-visa nationals
- 30 July 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
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.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 28 August 2021
