Understanding the Me in Dementia

Module

Attendance mode: Part-time
Start date(s): September
Duration: 4 months
Location: Distance learning

UK and international students can apply

Overview

Do you want to understand dementia from the experiences of those living with dementia? This Master's module is the first of its kind, being innovatively co-produced from the very beginning by people living with dementia - from the title, to the teaching.

The module content reflects what people with dementia want you to know about how to understand them as individuals with their own distinctive experiences, aspirations, needs and wishes.

The module will help you to challenge the existing stigma and stereotypes which often still surround dementia and the people with it. It will help you to understand the individualised nature of the disability and help you better communicate with people living with dementia.

This part-time distance learning module can be studied as part of the Postgraduate Certificate Dementia Studies and is one of the core modules on the 3-year MSc Advanced Dementia Studies.

You are also able to take this module as a single module to gain 30-credits.

This programme is intended for UK and international students who are:

health and social care professionals who want to gain further knowledge about dementia and dementia care practice
voluntary workers who already have contact with people with dementia

Our flexible approach allows you to combine study with work and home life. This online module is designed to be directly applicable to the workplace and to help you develop your own and your colleagues' practice.

The course is assessed fully online; you do not need to attend the University at any point during your studies. However, this does not mean you need to study alone - you will be part of a group of fellow national and international students passionate about improving dementia care.

Learning and assessment

The module is delivered over 16-weeks, with 12 teaching weeks and 4 assessment weeks.

Within the 12 teaching weeks, the module content is delivered online via the University’s learning platform, Canvas. You will engage with your peers and tutors in six group discussions based on set activities (such as reviewing videos created by key stakeholders including people with dementia, exploring case studies, and evaluating research).

You will also meet three times online in real-time tutorials, where you can discuss learning and practice. Each module has a study guide and planner which will take you through the module and all the learning activities. You will gain support from your module tutor and a personal academic tutor throughout the module. You are also encouraged to share your experience with others on the course who work in a variety of health and social care roles from around the world.

There are two formal opportunities to gain formative feedback from your tutors about your assignment, including the option to submit a full draft of your assignment prior to submission. This will require 39 hours of your time. The module is assessed by a 2,000-word case study and a 15-minute presentation marked by tutors as well as people living with dementia.

What you will study

This module will enable you to:

understand dementia from the experiences of people who live with dementia
challenge the stigma and common stereotypes of dementia to realise that "once you've met one person with dementia, you've met one person with dementia"
value people with dementia as individuals and understand their unique skills, abilities, needs, wishes, personal preferences and aspirations
identify a range of strategies for understanding and enhancing language and communication with and about people living with dementia

Entry requirements

Candidates should have a first degree with 2:2 or above in a relevant subject area, an equivalent professional NVQ Level 6 award, or a relevant postgraduate qualification. Applications are welcome from students with non-standard qualifications with significant relevant experience. Students whose qualifications are FHEQ Level 5 (i.e., DipHE, Foundation Degree, NVQ) may apply; evidence of ability to study at this level will be considered on an individual basis.

You must:

already have a work role, or voluntary placement, which regularly brings you into contact with people who have dementia for the duration of the module
have access to a computer with an internet connection, as all teaching takes place online
be prepared to spend an average of 15 hours a week on your studies

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

10 credits: £612
20 credits: £1,224
30 credits: £1,836
40 credits: £2,448
Dissertation module (if applicable): £2,648

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

This module will support your career progression in your chosen field.

You can choose to build upon this module with further study that can lead to a full MSc award.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

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This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.