COURSE CURRICULUM

The Gerontology MSc at the University of Southampton offers advanced training in qualitative and applied research methods, equipping students to study ageing societies with rigor and depth. Core modules include Qualitative Research Methods 1 and 2, which provide foundational and advanced knowledge in qualitative research design, data collection, and analysis, including ethnographic and interview-based approaches, particularly within the field of gerontology. The Researching Ageing Societies module engages students in critical debates about the challenges and transformations faced by ageing populations, while exploring the ethical and methodological considerations involved in contemporary research. Students can choose from a range of optional modules to tailor their studies to specific interests and career goals. These include regional perspectives such as Ageing in China, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, which examines demographic transitions and social change, and modules addressing health and well-being in later life, applied statistical modelling for data analysis, and critical global health issues. Other options explore demographic change, globalisation, social policy, and survey design, providing a strong foundation for independent research. The program develops skills in qualitative and quantitative analysis, policy evaluation, and the design and implementation of research projects, preparing graduates for careers in gerontology, social policy, health research, and related fields, with the ability to influence practice and policy in ageing societies worldwide.