Geriatric Medicine MSc
Validated by University of Buckingham
Duration
24 MonthsStudy Mode
OnlineTotal Tuition
£9,629Monthly Payment
—Qualification
Master’s Degree (MSc / MA / MPH)Start Date
Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, NovProgramme Overview
The MSc in Geriatric Medicine, delivered by Learna and validated by the University of Buckingham, is a 24-month, part-time programme designed for registered healthcare professionals seeking advanced knowledge and confidence in caring for older adults with complex medical, functional, psychological and social needs. The University of Buckingham is an independent UK university with its own medical school, while the programme is accredited for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK. The curriculum takes a holistic, evidence-based approach to geriatric care, covering ageing, falls, dementia, neurological disorders, frailty, continence, ethics and end-of-life care. The programme is delivered 100% online, making it particularly attractive to Caribbean healthcare professionals who want to gain an internationally oriented postgraduate qualification without leaving their country or interrupting their professional responsibilities.
For Caribbean healthcare professionals, this MSc offers an opportunity to build specialist expertise in an area of growing importance as healthcare systems across the region respond to longer life expectancy, chronic disease, dementia, frailty and the increasing demand for coordinated elderly care. Nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, dietitians and other allied health professionals can study part-time while continuing to work, with approximately 10 hours per week recommended for online study. Importantly, the programme's case-based and practice-oriented learning allows students to connect advanced geriatric knowledge with the realities of Caribbean healthcare delivery, including community care, hospital services, rehabilitation and multidisciplinary practice. The research component also gives students the opportunity to investigate a geriatric-care issue relevant to their own professional environment and produce evidence-based recommendations that could contribute to service improvement.
Accredited for CPD by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK
Entry Requirements
Applicants should generally meet the following requirements:
Be a registered healthcare professional.
Normally hold a first degree or equivalent international qualification in a relevant healthcare discipline, such as medicine or nursing.
Healthcare professionals without the standard academic qualification may be considered individually, based on professional experience and qualifications.
In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit academic work to demonstrate readiness for postgraduate study.
Submit an updated CV.
Submit an undergraduate degree certificate.
Provide a professional, employer or academic reference.
Submit a personal statement explaining the motivation for undertaking the programme.
Provide evidence of English-language proficiency where required.
Where English is not the applicant's first language, the stated requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band, or an equivalent qualification. English-medium instruction documentation and other recognised qualifications may also be considered.
Who is this course for?
This programme is particularly suitable for:
Medical doctors and GPs
Hospital physicians
Registered nurses
Nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses
Physiotherapists
Dietitians
Rehabilitation professionals
Allied health professionals
Healthcare team leaders and managers involved in elderly care
Healthcare professionals seeking specialist expertise in geriatric medicine
The programme specifically targets professionals who have day-to-day exposure to older adults or who work within teams responsible for elderly care..
Career Opportunities
Geriatric Care Specialist
Geriatric Medicine Clinical Practitioner
Senior/Advanced Practice Nurse – Older Adult Care
Elderly Care Programme Coordinator
Geriatric Rehabilitation Specialist
Community Elderly Care Practitioner
Hospital Older-Person Care Specialist
Clinical Educator in Geriatric Care
Healthcare Quality Improvement Specialist
Geriatric Healthcare Researcher
Programme Highlights
This foundation module establishes the core principles of caring for older adults. Students examine the physiology of ageing, the distinction between normal ageing and pathology, health promotion, public health, common geriatric syndromes, medication management and therapeutic approaches. The module also introduces important social dimensions of elderly care, including safeguarding, mental health, abuse, power of attorney and other issues affecting vulnerable older adults. For Caribbean practitioners, it provides an important foundation for understanding ageing as a multidimensional clinical and social process rather than simply a collection of diseases.
Falls are a major clinical and functional concern among older adults, and this module develops students' ability to assess, prevent and manage falls and related fractures. Topics include comprehensive geriatric assessment, sarcopenia, bone loss, osteoporosis, falls and fracture prevention. The emphasis on multidisciplinary assessment and evidence-based management is particularly valuable for professionals working across hospitals, primary care, rehabilitation and community settings.
This module focuses on cognitive impairment in older people, including delirium, acute confusion, cognitive decline and dementia. Students examine assessment and diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, emerging approaches to dementia treatment, and associated mental-health issues such as depression and anxiety. The module is highly relevant to healthcare systems seeking to strengthen dementia recognition, management and person-centred support for ageing populations.
Students develop advanced knowledge of neurological conditions that commonly affect older adults, including TIA, stroke, Parkinson's disease, myopathies and syncope. The module examines diagnosis, management and primary and secondary stroke prevention while considering the effect of neurological disease on function and quality of life. This knowledge can be particularly valuable for healthcare professionals involved in rehabilitation, acute care and long-term management of older patients.
This module addresses two important areas of geriatric practice: frailty and continence. Students explore the causes and pathophysiology of frailty, prevention and management strategies, dependency and disability, bowel-function changes, urinary incontinence and constipation. The focus on assessment and evidence-based intervention helps practitioners develop a more comprehensive approach to maintaining independence, dignity and quality of life among older adults.
This module develops students' ability to navigate complex ethical and legal issues affecting older adults. Areas include safeguarding, mental capacity, consent, advance care planning, palliative interventions, end-of-life decision-making and ethical considerations surrounding treatment. For Caribbean healthcare professionals, this provides valuable preparation for sensitive clinical conversations involving patients, families, caregivers and multidisciplinary teams while reinforcing person-centred and ethically informed care.
The Professional Project forms the major research component of the MSc. Students develop research and critical-appraisal skills before undertaking an independent project related to their professional practice. Research methods include quantitative and qualitative approaches, statistical interpretation, systematic reviews, evidence appraisal, audit, quality improvement, health economics, research ethics and literature review. Students can investigate a subject directly relevant to their practice, creating an opportunity to examine a Caribbean geriatric-care challenge and develop evidence-based recommendations for improving services.
The second year begins with structured development of research methodology and critical-appraisal skills before students progress into their professional project. The programme specifically develops the ability to evaluate academic evidence, understand research methodologies, interpret findings and assess how evidence can be translated into healthcare delivery and service development. This is an important feature for Caribbean professionals who want to progress beyond clinical practice into healthcare leadership, education, research and quality improvement.
Geriatric Medicine PGDip
Validated by University of Buckingham
Duration
12 monthsStudy Mode
OnlineTotal Tuition
£5,229Monthly Payment
—Qualification
Postgraduate DiplomaStart Date
Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, NovProgramme Overview
In a world where society is living longer than ever, global healthcare requires a system that supports elderly care, and a workforce with a strong knowledge and understanding of geriatric medicine to care of the older person, with the respect and dignity they deserve. Are you a healthcare professional who would like to develop expertise in this increasingly important field of geriatric care?
Our flexible, affordable Postgraduate Diploma in Care of the Older Person is designed specifically for healthcare professionals who want to expand their clinical knowledge, skills and confidence in dealing with the complex health and social needs of the ageing population.
What sets our diploma in geriatric medicine apart is the holistic approach we adopt; we recognise the importance of community and the solution oriented asset-based approach in our teaching.
Studying our diploma in geriatric care will equip you with specialist elderly care knowledge on a number of interesting subjects, including confusion and dementia, frailty and continence, and many more topics essential for providing comprehensive and ethical care of the older person and communities.
Choosing an online elderly care diploma allows you to study from anywhere in the world - you can balance studying part-time with working full-time and other personal commitments. At Learna, we have selected a handful of top geriatric medical experts to deliver elderly care courses through our exceptional online faculty, meaning that you will receive unparalleled guidance and support throughout the diploma in geriatric care.
Becoming a part of our multidisciplinary learning community allows you to expand your network; you will join thousands of other healthcare professionals around the world, with whom you can share insights and best practices as you embark on a diploma in care of the older person to enhance your career prospects.
On successful completion of this flexible diploma in elderly care, you will be able to:
Provide a comprehensive, systematic and critical appraisal of issues in caring for older people to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based care and best practice.
Develop skills that aid career progression and leadership potential within a complex and rapidly changing delivery environment.
Accredited for CPD by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK
Entry Requirements
Since our courses are conducted entirely online, they are accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.
Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree.
Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.
Documents Required
A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference, this can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).
English Language Requirements Proficiency in the English language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.
If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. The University of Buckingham run a number of English Language Programmes at the Centre for International English to prepare you for your academic studies. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.
Should you have already successfully completed the 1 year Postgraduate Diploma and wish to convert to the MSc and complete only the second year of the programme this is possible. Please contact our admissions department admissions@diploma-msc.com to find out more.
Who is this course for?
Applicants will typically be registered healthcare professionals who have a day to day exposure to the elderly population and are looking for an online diploma in geriatric care.
They may be part of a team which delivers care, a leader of that team, or an individual involved in the care of the elderly. This includes but not exclusive to:
GPs
Hospital doctors
Nurses
Physiotherapists
Dieticians
and other allied healthcare professionals working with elderly people.
Programme Highlights
Programme highlights coming soon.
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