12 monthsProgramme duration
19 Aug, 2026Application Deadline
SepStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Public Health
Degree
Other
Study Level
Master's
Study Mode
Online
Course summary
What does it mean to grow older in a changing world? And how can we respond to population ageing in ways that improve life for individuals, families and society?
If you want to develop specialist knowledge of ageing while balancing postgraduate study with your professional life, PGDip Gerontology (Distance Learning) is for you.
At Southampton, you’ll explore ageing from multiple perspectives, drawing on policy, demography, sociology, biology, healthcare sciences, psychology and economics. You’ll examine the changes people experience as they age alongside the wider impact of ageing populations on society.
Take a global view of later life as you explore contemporary debates affecting older people, their families and communities. You’ll consider areas including population ageing, welfare provision and quality of life, developing the critical thinking to evaluate how policies and initiatives respond.
Research skills are central to the programme. You’ll develop qualitative and quantitative approaches, giving you the tools to investigate questions about ageing and work confidently with evidence.
Designed for distance learning, the course gives you the flexibility to study online alongside work and other commitments. Learning resources are available through the University’s virtual learning environment, so you can engage with the programme wherever you are.
Find your place in a specialist community dedicated to understanding ageing, and build the knowledge and research skills to contribute to health, social care, policy and other areas shaped by demographic change.
Key features of this course
**Understand ageing from different angles.** Bring together insights from policy, demography, sociology, biology, healthcare sciences, psychology and economics to build a broader understanding of later life.
**Explore ageing in a global context.** Examine contemporary debates around older people, families and societies, and consider how demographic change creates different challenges across countries and communities.
**Build your research toolkit.** Develop qualitative and quantitative research skills and learn how different methods can be used to investigate ageing and the life course.
**Question how society responds to ageing.** Evaluate policies and initiatives relating to population ageing, welfare provision and quality of life.
**Shape part of your learning around your interests.** Optional modules can explore areas including ageing and wellbeing, mental health and ageing, demographic change and globalisation, and ageing in China, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
**Study flexibly online.** Learn through recordings of live lectures, lecture materials, online exercises, quizzes, discussion boards and independent study, with resources available through the virtual learning environment.
Your future career
As populations age, organisations need people who understand both the experiences of older people and the wider social, economic and policy implications of demographic change.
You’ll develop specialist gerontology knowledge alongside skills in research, critical thinking, communication, creativity and adaptability.
Graduates can work across healthcare, social care, public health, education and government services. Careers directly related to the course can include gerontologist, academic researcher, ageing programme coordinator, public policy adviser and health educator.
The PGDip can also support further postgraduate study and professional development in gerontology, applied health and the social sciences.
Wherever your next step takes you, you’ll leave Southampton better equipped to understand ageing, evaluate evidence and contribute thoughtfully to the challenges and opportunities of longer lives.
Further information
The PGDip Gerontology (Distance Learning) is delivered entirely online.
You can study full-time over 1 year or part-time, usually over 2 years.
The programme consists of 8 modules. Full-time students normally complete 4 modules in each semester, while part-time students complete 4 modules in each year.
Compulsory study includes Perspectives in Gerontology, Qualitative Research Methods 1 and 2, and Researching Ageing Societies.
Learning includes recorded lectures, lecture slides, supervised independent research, online exercises and quizzes, discussion boards and independent study.
Assessment includes essays, literature reviews, oral presentations and research reports.
You’ll be assigned a Personal Academic Tutor and also have access to a dedicated distance learning tutor for support with your induction and studies.
Applicants normally need a 2:1 degree. Relevant professional experience may also be considered if you do not meet the standard academic entry requirements.
What does it mean to grow older in a changing world? And how can we respond to population ageing in ways that improve life for individuals, families and society?
If you want to develop specialist knowledge of ageing while balancing postgraduate study with your professional life, PGDip Gerontology (Distance Learning) is for you.
At Southampton, you’ll explore ageing from multiple perspectives, drawing on policy, demography, sociology, biology, healthcare sciences, psychology and economics. You’ll examine the changes people experience as they age alongside the wider impact of ageing populations on society.
Take a global view of later life as you explore contemporary debates affecting older people, their families and communities. You’ll consider areas including population ageing, welfare provision and quality of life, developing the critical thinking to evaluate how policies and initiatives respond.
Research skills are central to the programme. You’ll develop qualitative and quantitative approaches, giving you the tools to investigate questions about ageing and work confidently with evidence.
Designed for distance learning, the course gives you the flexibility to study online alongside work and other commitments. Learning resources are available through the University’s virtual learning environment, so you can engage with the programme wherever you are.
Find your place in a specialist community dedicated to understanding ageing, and build the knowledge and research skills to contribute to health, social care, policy and other areas shaped by demographic change.
Key features of this course
**Understand ageing from different angles.** Bring together insights from policy, demography, sociology, biology, healthcare sciences, psychology and economics to build a broader understanding of later life.
**Explore ageing in a global context.** Examine contemporary debates around older people, families and societies, and consider how demographic change creates different challenges across countries and communities.
**Build your research toolkit.** Develop qualitative and quantitative research skills and learn how different methods can be used to investigate ageing and the life course.
**Question how society responds to ageing.** Evaluate policies and initiatives relating to population ageing, welfare provision and quality of life.
**Shape part of your learning around your interests.** Optional modules can explore areas including ageing and wellbeing, mental health and ageing, demographic change and globalisation, and ageing in China, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
**Study flexibly online.** Learn through recordings of live lectures, lecture materials, online exercises, quizzes, discussion boards and independent study, with resources available through the virtual learning environment.
Your future career
As populations age, organisations need people who understand both the experiences of older people and the wider social, economic and policy implications of demographic change.
You’ll develop specialist gerontology knowledge alongside skills in research, critical thinking, communication, creativity and adaptability.
Graduates can work across healthcare, social care, public health, education and government services. Careers directly related to the course can include gerontologist, academic researcher, ageing programme coordinator, public policy adviser and health educator.
The PGDip can also support further postgraduate study and professional development in gerontology, applied health and the social sciences.
Wherever your next step takes you, you’ll leave Southampton better equipped to understand ageing, evaluate evidence and contribute thoughtfully to the challenges and opportunities of longer lives.
Further information
The PGDip Gerontology (Distance Learning) is delivered entirely online.
You can study full-time over 1 year or part-time, usually over 2 years.
The programme consists of 8 modules. Full-time students normally complete 4 modules in each semester, while part-time students complete 4 modules in each year.
Compulsory study includes Perspectives in Gerontology, Qualitative Research Methods 1 and 2, and Researching Ageing Societies.
Learning includes recorded lectures, lecture slides, supervised independent research, online exercises and quizzes, discussion boards and independent study.
Assessment includes essays, literature reviews, oral presentations and research reports.
You’ll be assigned a Personal Academic Tutor and also have access to a dedicated distance learning tutor for support with your induction and studies.
Applicants normally need a 2:1 degree. Relevant professional experience may also be considered if you do not meet the standard academic entry requirements.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Public Health
Degree
Other
Study Level
Master's
Study Mode
Online
Course summary
What does it mean to grow older in a changing world? And how can we respond to population ageing in ways that improve life for individuals, families and society?
If you want to develop specialist knowledge of ageing while balancing postgraduate study with your professional life, PGDip Gerontology (Distance Learning) is for you.
At Southampton, you’ll explore ageing from multiple perspectives, drawing on policy, demography, sociology, biology, healthcare sciences, psychology and economics. You’ll examine the changes people experience as they age alongside the wider impact of ageing populations on society.
Take a global view of later life as you explore contemporary debates affecting older people, their families and communities. You’ll consider areas including population ageing, welfare provision and quality of life, developing the critical thinking to evaluate how policies and initiatives respond.
Research skills are central to the programme. You’ll develop qualitative and quantitative approaches, giving you the tools to investigate questions about ageing and work confidently with evidence.
Designed for distance learning, the course gives you the flexibility to study online alongside work and other commitments. Learning resources are available through the University’s virtual learning environment, so you can engage with the programme wherever you are.
Find your place in a specialist community dedicated to understanding ageing, and build the knowledge and research skills to contribute to health, social care, policy and other areas shaped by demographic change.
Key features of this course
**Understand ageing from different angles.** Bring together insights from policy, demography, sociology, biology, healthcare sciences, psychology and economics to build a broader understanding of later life.
**Explore ageing in a global context.** Examine contemporary debates around older people, families and societies, and consider how demographic change creates different challenges across countries and communities.
**Build your research toolkit.** Develop qualitative and quantitative research skills and learn how different methods can be used to investigate ageing and the life course.
**Question how society responds to ageing.** Evaluate policies and initiatives relating to population ageing, welfare provision and quality of life.
**Shape part of your learning around your interests.** Optional modules can explore areas including ageing and wellbeing, mental health and ageing, demographic change and globalisation, and ageing in China, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
**Study flexibly online.** Learn through recordings of live lectures, lecture materials, online exercises, quizzes, discussion boards and independent study, with resources available through the virtual learning environment.
Your future career
As populations age, organisations need people who understand both the experiences of older people and the wider social, economic and policy implications of demographic change.
You’ll develop specialist gerontology knowledge alongside skills in research, critical thinking, communication, creativity and adaptability.
Graduates can work across healthcare, social care, public health, education and government services. Careers directly related to the course can include gerontologist, academic researcher, ageing programme coordinator, public policy adviser and health educator.
The PGDip can also support further postgraduate study and professional development in gerontology, applied health and the social sciences.
Wherever your next step takes you, you’ll leave Southampton better equipped to understand ageing, evaluate evidence and contribute thoughtfully to the challenges and opportunities of longer lives.
Further information
The PGDip Gerontology (Distance Learning) is delivered entirely online.
You can study full-time over 1 year or part-time, usually over 2 years.
The programme consists of 8 modules. Full-time students normally complete 4 modules in each semester, while part-time students complete 4 modules in each year.
Compulsory study includes Perspectives in Gerontology, Qualitative Research Methods 1 and 2, and Researching Ageing Societies.
Learning includes recorded lectures, lecture slides, supervised independent research, online exercises and quizzes, discussion boards and independent study.
Assessment includes essays, literature reviews, oral presentations and research reports.
You’ll be assigned a Personal Academic Tutor and also have access to a dedicated distance learning tutor for support with your induction and studies.
Applicants normally need a 2:1 degree. Relevant professional experience may also be considered if you do not meet the standard academic entry requirements.
What does it mean to grow older in a changing world? And how can we respond to population ageing in ways that improve life for individuals, families and society?
If you want to develop specialist knowledge of ageing while balancing postgraduate study with your professional life, PGDip Gerontology (Distance Learning) is for you.
At Southampton, you’ll explore ageing from multiple perspectives, drawing on policy, demography, sociology, biology, healthcare sciences, psychology and economics. You’ll examine the changes people experience as they age alongside the wider impact of ageing populations on society.
Take a global view of later life as you explore contemporary debates affecting older people, their families and communities. You’ll consider areas including population ageing, welfare provision and quality of life, developing the critical thinking to evaluate how policies and initiatives respond.
Research skills are central to the programme. You’ll develop qualitative and quantitative approaches, giving you the tools to investigate questions about ageing and work confidently with evidence.
Designed for distance learning, the course gives you the flexibility to study online alongside work and other commitments. Learning resources are available through the University’s virtual learning environment, so you can engage with the programme wherever you are.
Find your place in a specialist community dedicated to understanding ageing, and build the knowledge and research skills to contribute to health, social care, policy and other areas shaped by demographic change.
Key features of this course
**Understand ageing from different angles.** Bring together insights from policy, demography, sociology, biology, healthcare sciences, psychology and economics to build a broader understanding of later life.
**Explore ageing in a global context.** Examine contemporary debates around older people, families and societies, and consider how demographic change creates different challenges across countries and communities.
**Build your research toolkit.** Develop qualitative and quantitative research skills and learn how different methods can be used to investigate ageing and the life course.
**Question how society responds to ageing.** Evaluate policies and initiatives relating to population ageing, welfare provision and quality of life.
**Shape part of your learning around your interests.** Optional modules can explore areas including ageing and wellbeing, mental health and ageing, demographic change and globalisation, and ageing in China, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
**Study flexibly online.** Learn through recordings of live lectures, lecture materials, online exercises, quizzes, discussion boards and independent study, with resources available through the virtual learning environment.
Your future career
As populations age, organisations need people who understand both the experiences of older people and the wider social, economic and policy implications of demographic change.
You’ll develop specialist gerontology knowledge alongside skills in research, critical thinking, communication, creativity and adaptability.
Graduates can work across healthcare, social care, public health, education and government services. Careers directly related to the course can include gerontologist, academic researcher, ageing programme coordinator, public policy adviser and health educator.
The PGDip can also support further postgraduate study and professional development in gerontology, applied health and the social sciences.
Wherever your next step takes you, you’ll leave Southampton better equipped to understand ageing, evaluate evidence and contribute thoughtfully to the challenges and opportunities of longer lives.
Further information
The PGDip Gerontology (Distance Learning) is delivered entirely online.
You can study full-time over 1 year or part-time, usually over 2 years.
The programme consists of 8 modules. Full-time students normally complete 4 modules in each semester, while part-time students complete 4 modules in each year.
Compulsory study includes Perspectives in Gerontology, Qualitative Research Methods 1 and 2, and Researching Ageing Societies.
Learning includes recorded lectures, lecture slides, supervised independent research, online exercises and quizzes, discussion boards and independent study.
Assessment includes essays, literature reviews, oral presentations and research reports.
You’ll be assigned a Personal Academic Tutor and also have access to a dedicated distance learning tutor for support with your induction and studies.
Applicants normally need a 2:1 degree. Relevant professional experience may also be considered if you do not meet the standard academic entry requirements.
Admission Requirements
67+
120+
6.5+
92+
You'll need a 2.1 bachelor's degree. Applicants without formal qualifications but relevant work experience may be considered on a case by case basis.
19 Aug 2026
1 Year
Sep
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