Geriatric Medicine University of Buckingham

Overview

Validated by the University of Buckingham and accredited for CPD by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK, this 180-credit master’s in Geriatric Medicine at University of Buckingham combines comprehensive study of geriatric medicine with a substantial research and Professional Project stage.

You’ll examine physiological ageing and comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) before progressing through key areas including falls, frailty, multimorbidity, delirium and dementia, stroke and neurological disorders, continence, medicines management, and end-of-life care. Throughout the programme, you’ll consider how medical, functional, psychological, and social factors can interact when assessing and supporting older adults.

What will you study on this Master's in Geriatric Medicine?

The MSc in Geriatric Medicine combines broad postgraduate study of ageing and the healthcare needs of older adults with a distinct master’s-level research stage. Rather than considering individual conditions in isolation, the programme takes a holistic approach, examining how physical health, function, psychological wellbeing, medicines, and social circumstances can interact in later life.

During the taught stage, you’ll begin by examining physiological ageing and the principles of geriatric medicine, including comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and multidisciplinary approaches to the assessment of older adults. You’ll consider the geriatric giants, multimorbidity, and medicines management before examining falls in greater depth, including mobility, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and approaches to falls and fracture prevention.

Cognitive and neurological health forms another substantial part of the programme. You’ll study acute confusion and delirium, cognitive impairment and dementia, alongside psychological health in older adults. Your studies then extend into stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA), Parkinson’s disease, syncope, and other neurological conditions relevant to older-person care.

Later in the taught stage, you’ll examine frailty and continence within the wider context of health, function, and independence in later life. You’ll also consider ethical and legal issues relevant to older-person care, including safeguarding, mental capacity, advance care planning, palliative care, and end-of-life care.

Evidence-based learning runs throughout these six modules. Through case-based discussion and critical engagement with evidence, you’ll consider different perspectives on complex older-person care and develop your understanding of person-centred and multidisciplinary approaches across a range of healthcare settings.

In Year 2, the focus shifts towards master’s-level research and enquiry. Through the Professional Project stage, you’ll develop your understanding of research methodologies and critical appraisal, including quantitative and qualitative research, statistical analysis, systematic review and meta-analysis, research ethics, clinical audit, governance and quality improvement, secondary data analysis, and research proposal development.

You’ll then use this research foundation to plan and undertake an independent project relevant to geriatric medicine or your professional context. This allows you to investigate a focused question in greater depth, critically evaluate evidence, and bring together the subject knowledge and research capabilities developed throughout the MSc.