Overview
The number of people in the UK with dementia is expected to increase to 1.4 million by 2040 (alzheimers.org.uk). Globally, the number of people living with dementia is expected to reach 78 million by 2030 (Alzheimer’s Disease International).
As our global population ages, there is a greater need than ever to ensure the environments in which we work, rest and play are supportive and inclusive.
Help to design a better world
Our online Postgraduate Certificate in Design for Dementia and Ageing gives you the skills and knowledge to create better places and environments for people living with dementia.
The course will teach you about:
- environmental design principles;
- implications for policy, practice, economic, social and cultural issues in relation to dementia and ageing;
- how to develop ageing and dementia inclusive environments;
- how to involve people with lived experience in the design process;
- theory and practice in dementia studies, gerontology and housing.
Learn from leaders in dementia research
Our unique online course is taught by leading experts in dementia and ageing. They have helped to place Stirling at the forefront of inclusive design for over 25 years. Our research in Social Work and Social Policy ranks us among the top 25 universities in the UK (REF 2021).
We collaborate with partners across the world. In doing so we play a leading role in creating dementia inclusive environments. You will benefit from guest lectures from professionals within design and care sectors. There will also be the chance to have discussions with people living with dementia. The University is also home to the renowned Dementia Services Development Centre. The centre has been dedicated to improving the lives of people with dementia since 1989.
Learn flexibly online
Our online, part-time course gives you the flexibility to continue in an existing professional role while gaining the skills you need to take the next step exciting in your career.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
This course will give you access to specialist knowledge in relation to architectural practice and environmental design for ageing and dementia. At the end of this course, graduates will develop key skills including:
- in-depth knowledge of key concepts informing aged care and dementia care practice;
- key principles and concepts in relation to age friendly and dementia friendly housing;
- the role of the environment in influencing the experience of dementia and ageing;
- key principles in relation to the design and implementation of age inclusive and dementia inclusive environments;
- international and multidisciplinary perspectives regarding environmental design practice for ageing and dementia care;
- practical examples of the ageing and dementia inclusive design process;
- assessing and evaluating age inclusive and dementia inclusive environments.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Faculty facilities
Based at the Iris Murdoch Building – the world’s first purpose-built dementia friendly public building – the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling provides world leading consultancy in environmental design practice for dementia and ageing design.
During the course, students will have access to our design and technology suite where they can experience the most recent environmental design research in-situ.
Additionally, each student will have access to a tour (online or in person) of this unique building and learn from the international design principles and features first hand.
Research overview
When you study Design for Ageing and Dementia you are drawing on three decades of pioneering research, design and consultancy within the University of Stirling and the Dementia Services Development Centre.
We have led the world in research on dementia inclusive environments, with recent research projects in this area include Designing Homes for Healthy Cognitive Ageing, a £1.8m Economic and Social Research council project exploring the challenges and opportunities arising from age friendly housing and environmental design.
Leading research at Stirling has also included Nurolight: sleep light and dementia, which explores the impact of artificial light on our sleep/wake cycle, and the Our Connected Neighbourhoods project, which has explored the role of communities and neighbourhoods in promoting dementia inclusive environments. Our research is undertaken in collaboration with people with lived experience and with international organisations in countries such as Australia, Japan and Sweden.
Underpinning the expertise of our staff, the University of Stirling scored highly in the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021 – a UK-wide assessment of universities’ research output. In the Social Work and Social Policy unit of assessment, we ranked 3rd in Scotland and top 25 in the UK – with 100% of our research environment and 88% of our research deemed world leading or internationally excellent.
Learn more about the Dementia and Ageing Division's research and opportunities.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience in architecture, design, health and social care, housing, product design or interior design are encouraged to apply.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Course details
Our PG Certificate course features three individual modules leading to a Postgraduate certificate. This modular structure draws upon bespoke content for this programme alongside modules from the MSc Dementia Studies and MSc Housing Studies programmes (part time and with internship) at the University of Stirling. These modules will ensure you can develop your knowledge and expertise in relation to ageing and dementia inclusive design from multiple perspectives.
One module is taken on a part time basis during each semester. Each semester starts with an online introductory session. You will then join an online tutorial group of fellow students and teaching staff. Academic learning is subsequently undertaken through a combination of individual study and interactive online sessions with your tutor group.
Learning is designed to be flexible so that you can study when and where you choose.
Modules
Teaching
You will study during three semesters at Stirling. Modules offer a mixture of online content including videos, recorded short lectures, interactive activities and online face to face teaching sessions.
You will be encouraged to develop as an independent learner, working through reading and tasks set on a weekly basis.
You are expected to set aside a substantial part of your week to complete this work. During teaching sessions, you will discuss topics you have been given to prepare in advance, work through tasks in groups and can ask questions. This allows you to consolidate your knowledge, delve into the subject and work with your fellow students, who will come from diverse backgrounds. These activities will help you develop graduate attributes including team working, communication skills and time management.
As well as these sessions, you might have to complete tasks to help your understanding of the subject and develop your skills. Our learning and teaching approach is not only about transferring knowledge to you, but also about you building confidence to learn independently while developing a wide range of skills.
Assessment
Your learning will be assessed against the learning outcomes of each module you take, throughout your degree. These contribute to demonstrating that you have met the overall learning outcomes for your degree. Assessment requirements for each module will be explained at the outset of the module, so you will know what you need to do, how and when.
Assessments will take a range of styles including online open folder examinations; closed book examinations; reflective writing; essays; reports; presentations; multiple choice tests; and creating digital artefacts like podcasts.
A common pattern is to submit a mid-term coursework assessment followed by a further assessment at the end of the module. Some modules will offer formative assessments early in the module, which do not count towards your module grade, but give you the opportunity to practice your technique and test your knowledge.
The role of feedback in learning cannot be underestimated and you will receive feedback in a range of formal and informal ways. For example, you will receive formal feedback on all coursework. Informal feedback will be given by tutors and other students during tutorials, you will have opportunities to discuss requirements before completing assignments and will have access to grade descriptors so you understand what is expected of you and you will have the chance to discuss your feedback with your tutors. This helps you understand what you are doing well, where you might improve and take responsibility for your learning. All formal feedback is returned within 15 working days of when you submit work.
Classroom hours
Students are expected to spend 200 hours per module. Student contact involves a range of activities, with most activities involving self-directed learning through course materials delivered through our virtual learning environment. This includes short lectures, guest seminars, podcasts, videos and textual content, links to external resources and pdf workbooks. Students are also supported via an optional personal tutor meeting.
Course director
Professor Lesley Palmer, Professor of Ageing and Dementia Design
Professor Lesley Palmer is course director and module coordinator for the module DEMPGC4, Design for Ageing and Dementia, International and multidisciplinary perspectives.
Key staff
Dr Martin Quirke, Lecturer in Dementia, Ageing and Design. Dr Martin Quirke is a tutor on the programme.
Dr Junjie Huang, Lecturer in Dementia, Ageing and Design. Dr Junjie Huang is a tutor on the programme.
Dr Richard Ward, Senior Lecturer in Dementia. Dr Richard Ward is module coordinator for the module DEMPGC2, Dementia, Space and Place.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Fees for UK and Republic of Ireland: £2776
Fees for international students: £4,786
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Our PGCert Design for Dementia and Ageing is ideal for professionals from a range of disciplines. Architects, housing and design professionals, as well as health and social care professionals, can use the skills from the course to open up new career possibilities.
Specialist posts suited to professionals with our Design for Dementia and Ageing qualification could include:
- Dementia Care Designer
- Healthcare Architect
- Elderly Care Interior Designer
- Dementia Care Coordinator
- Healthcare Technology Specialist
Because many people studying the course are working in a professional field related to environmental design for dementia and ageing, you’ll automatically find yourself engaging with a wide range of organisations across statutory, private and not-for-profit sectors in different countries within the UK, Europe and worldwide.
Our teaching team and the Dementia Services Development Centre have extensive contacts with a range of commercial and not-for-profit organisations across the world.
These include:
- Silviahemmet (Sweden)
- IKEA (Sweden)
- Forbo Flooring (UK)
- Mediva Inc. (Japan)
- JCCPA (Hong Kong)
- HR Care (Italy)
