Dementia — Causes Treatments and Research Mental Health

The new Dementia MSc is offered jointly by the UCL Division of Psychiatry and 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.

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. 

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists five or six core modules (90 or 120 credits), one or two optional modules (if only five core modules are taken) and a dissertation/report (60 credits).

Core modules

• Current Research in Dementia (15 credits)
• Advanced Treatment and Management of Dementia (15 credits)
• Core Principles of Mental Health Research (30 credits)
• Statistical Methods in Mental Health (15 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

• Students who take five core modules will select 30 further credits of optional modules. Students who take six core modules will select 15 further credits of an optional module. Optional modules have either a neuroscience, research methods, or quality improvement in health care component and are the following:
• 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 (30 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.

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.

Jost Leuschner MSc Dementia Scholarship

Value:

£31,000 (1 year)

Eligibility:

UK, EU students

Criteria:

Based on academic merit