The PhD/MPhil programme will provide a dedicated route for high calibre students who (may have a specific research aim in mind and) are ready to carry out independent research leading to postdoctoral status. Alternatively it would be appropriate for students who are seeking a high level qualification suitable for a career in research with transferable skills for graduate employment.

Structure

The Dementia Services Development Centre, also known as DSDC, uses the ‘four paper’ model for its PhD programme whereby the thesis comprises four pieces of independent but related research that are of a publishable standard in a high quality peer reviewed journal.

In addition to the support of the research project’s supervisors and from fellow postgraduate research and professional researchers within the Dementia Services Development Centre, there will also be the opportunity to undertake taught modules at postgraduate level as well as attend workshops and courses provided for postgraduate research students by the University’s Academic Development Unit. Any taught modules and courses will not count as credits towards this or any other qualification but, if identified as being of developmental value by the student and the supervisory team, will provide the extra skills and knowledge needed to undertake postgraduate research.

Dementia Services Development Centre

The Dementia Services Development Centre, was founded in 1999. In collaboration with Cardiff & Vale UHB, DSDC Wales is one of a network of centres in the DSDC Network throughout the British Isles which conduct research and promote service development and training in the field of dementia care.

Research is conducted on a local and national level within Wales with the research centre in Bangor being the lead for the Wales Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (NEURODEM Cymru) but there are also strong collaborative links with researchers across the UK, Europe and elsewhere in the world.

DSDC is active across a wide range of ageing and dementia research activities and these can be broadly categorised (i) dementia care (including Alzheimer’s disease, family care-giving and psychosocial interventions); (ii) gerontology; and (iii) well-being and resilience across the life-span.

Research Opportunities

‘Ageing & Dementia@Bangor’/DSDC and the Bangor Institute of Health and Medical Research (BIHMR) have partnership arrangements with a range of health and social care organisations, including the NHS, Local Authorities and Housing Associations. This enables postgraduate researchers to establish links within an applied context.  

What will you study on this course?

The MPhil is available for full time (2 year) or part time (4 year) study on-campus or via distance learning from within the UK or internationally. The course requires the student to undertake a substantial piece of independent research at the cutting edge of ageing and dementia research.

The MPhil (Ageing and Dementia) provides an excellent research-based training with exposure to a dynamic multidisciplinary environment at ‘Ageing & Dementia@Bangor’/DSDC and the Bangor Institute of Health and Medical Research (BIHMR). This provides a sound platform for a future career in the area of health and social care research with potential progression to PhD. It also presents an opportunity to explore a contemporary area of health or social care related to ageing and/or dementia that has relevance to organisational contexts.

Postgraduate research in Health Sciences focuses on developing innovative approaches to understand and respond to the plethora of challenges and opportunities involved in contemporary health and social care. Our research follows an interdisciplinary approach that inspires the application of a range of applied quantitative and diverse qualitative research approaches.