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NUI Galway

Ageing & Public Policy

Your Course
Driven by a commitment to research-informed interdisciplinary education, the MSc examines demographic ageing from a public policy perspective, critically assessing existing approaches and future directions to secure an effective and fair means of engaging older people in ageing societies. Students will: analyze critical policy challenges relevant to diverse older populations; assess the role of public policy in the fair and effective allocation of opportunities across the life course; evaluate the readiness of existing policy structures; and assess to what degree the application of policy levers are supporting older people and addressing system sustainability issues. Hosted at the internationally recognised Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, the course is comprised of an applied project, and taught modules in the areas of: public policy and the economics of ageing; social exclusion and inequality; international policy; health systems and policy analysis; work, pensions and retirement; and diversity, ageing and the life course.

3 GOOD REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE

1. This is the only course available at a Masters level that examines ageing and public policy in Ireland, and one of only a small number internationally.

2. The course draws together contributions from national and international policy experts working at the forefront of policy development, and advocacy.

3. The programme is distinctive in its positioning within a research informed learning environment that is linked directly to state-ofthe- art research programmes, led by international experts on ageing and policy.

Entry requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements
Normally applicants require a primary degree with Second Class Honours, Grade 1, in a related social science discipline (e.g., economics, sociology, management, social work, policy orientated degrees) or a cognate field of study (e.g., health sciences; public health). IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent if applicable. Applications from people with commensurate experience in ageing-related policy and practice will be considered.

Duration

1 year, full-time

Careers or further progression

Career Opportunities
Graduates will possess in-depth analytical skill sets which will enhance employability in ageing specific and general public policy sectors. This includes: capacity for critical thinking; knowledge of and ability to evaluate policies; capacity to apply data analysis techniques. Students are likely to be employed as: policy analysts and managers in public bodies; policy and strategic planners in civil society organisations; service coordinators; senior staff within private ageingrelated organisations. This course will also serve as an excellent grounding to pursue a PhD programme.

Further enquiries

CONTACT
Professor Kieran Walsh
Irish Centre for Social Gerontology
T: +353 91 495 460
E: kieran.walsh@nuigalway.ie

Application date

WHEN TO APPLY: NUI Galway does not set a deadline for receipt of applications (with some exceptions). Offers will be issued on a continuous basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. See the weblink below for full details of when and how to apply.

Online Application
Applications to most postgraduate programmes at NUI Galway are made online via www.nuigalway.ie/apply.

The application system will be open from 1 October 2019 to accept applications for entry to the 2020–21 academic year.

Applications are submitted via an online form, and a step-bystep guide will assist you through the process. Applicants should select the Course Instance Code(s) for the programme(s) that they are interested in, which are available on each course page of this prospectus and are also on each course website (www.nuigalway.ie/courses). An application fee will be required and this is a nonrefundable. You will require an active email account to use the system.

Supporting Documents
When making an online application, most programmes require additional documentation to supplement your application, such as an essay, samples of work, a CV, etc. To see what supporting documents, if any, may be required for your programme, please visit: www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad-admissions. After submitting an application you must then upload the supporting documents.