Ageing & Public Policy

This MSc is a new innovative, interdisciplinary programme that delivers sought after transferrable and topic specific skillsets, and which incorporates an applied project and placements at national public, NGO and private organisations. The MSc is available on a full-time or part-time basis and is intended to be delivered as both an in person or a remote access programme.



International Programme Distinctiveness

First programme of its kind in Ireland, and one of the first that is available internationally.

Hosted at an internationally recognised research centre—Irish Centre for Social Gerontology

Delivered in collaboration with international policy experts.



Why Ageing, Why Now



With the world’s older population projected to double by 2050, population ageing is recognised as a global challenge for sustainable development, and one of three major transformations facing the European Union, and the social, economic and health systems of its states.

The Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda and the forthcoming European Commission Green Paper on Ageing testify to how ageing can create sustainability and equity challenges in every major policy domain – social protection, health, finance, housing and environment, employment, etc.



Despite extensive political commitment to finding innovative means to adapt to demographic change, existing efforts are often uncoordinated and ad-hoc with increasing evidence of growing inequalities amongst older populations.The COVID-19 pandemic has only further not only exposed weakness in ageing-related policy, but also the neglect of the diversity of needs and preferences of the ageing populations.



There is a marked gap in graduate labour force skills, and capacity, to help public agencies, civil society organisations and private companies to address these challenges and to capitalise on the opportunities within ageing societies.



Graduate Skills

Provides topic specific and transferable skills sets including:



• In-depth knowledge of ageing related policy

• In-depth knowledge of public policy systems

• Capacity for critical thinking and theorizing

• Ability to assess and evaluate public polices

• Research, data and analytical methods

• Ability to apply data analysis techniques to real world policy challenges

List of modules:

International Policy and Ageing across the lifecourse

Social Exclusion and Inequalities in Later Life

Data Management and Survey Techniques

Dynamics of Ageing and Public Policy

Health Systems and Policy Analysis

Work, Pensions and Retirement

Environmental Gerontology and Ageing in Place Policy

Cost Benefit Analysis and Evaluation

Mental Health Law & Policy

Systematic Review Methods

Data Analytics for Social Science

Applied Research Project (e.g Policy Brief, Research Report)

Placements with national public, NGO and private organisations (tied to applied project)

Normally a H2.1 degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) 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 also be considered



The MSc in Ageing and Public Policy offers a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process and encourages applications from people with other forms of certified learning and experience, and who may not fulfil these requirements.

1 year, full-time; 2 years, part-time.

Next start date

NOT ON OFFER for entry 2024



Closing Date

NOT ON OFFER for entry 2024.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will have in-depth analytical skills sets which will enhance their employability in general and age specific public policy organisations.The Masters in Ageing & Public Policy provides topic specific and transferable skills sets including:



In-depth knowledge of ageing related policy

In-depth knowledge of public policy systems

Capacity for critical thinking and theorizing

Ability to assess and evaluate public polices

Research, data and analytical methods

Ability to apply data analysis techniques to real world policy challenges



Students are likely to be employed as: policy analysts and managers in public bodies; policy and strategic planners in civil society organisations; service coordinators; and senior staff within private ageing-related organisations. This course will also serve as an excellent grounding to pursue a PhD programme.