Application deadline
Thursday 7 August 2025
Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.
Entry requirements
The School will accept one of the following as appropriate entry qualifications:
- A 2:1 Honours undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline.
- Accredited prior learning: a professional qualification in social work, nursing, occupational therapy or similar.
- Experiential prior learning: substantial relevant work experience in a related discipline and at least three year's practical experience in the field.
If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
- personal statement (500 words) (only if applying for Scottish Funding Council funding)
- sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words)
- two original signed academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Course details
The PGCert in The Psychology of Dementia Care is a part-time online course run by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience with a start date in September. The programme will provide students with the theoretical background to the psychology of dementia care.
Highlights
- The structure of the programme is designed for maximum flexibility, allowing students to take one, two or all three of the modules, which you may pay for one at a time (the Postgraduate Certificate requires the completion of all three).
- Students are encouraged to question current practice and to apply psychological theory to their own working situation.
- The online format allows students to attain the Postgraduate Certificate remotely and at their own pace.
Modules
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.
Each module typically comprises:
- 200 notional hours of learning time delivered online
- 100% coursework assessment
- The Psychosocial Impact of Dementia: an introduction to the psychosocial impact of dementia on individuals with a diagnosis and those who care for them.
- The Care of Individuals with Dementia: introduces several psychological models of dementia care and explores the psychological needs of individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
- Implementing Effective Care: provides a theoretical and evidence-based background to equip students with strategies that will allow them to plan, change, measure and maintain effective practice in their workplaces.
Teaching
The course is delivered online via Moodle, the University's online teaching and learning system.
Students will engage with independent study in a supportive online framework and have access to journal articles, videos, and a student forum to facilitate your studies.
The programme comprises three modules; students may take these modules individually but must complete all three to achieve the certification.
The modules are assessed through coursework submitted online; there is no final exam for the course.
The programme coordinator will be available for contact throughout the course.
Events
The School of Psychology and Neuroscience hosts a weekly seminar programme typically held in the Old Library of the Psychology Building.
These seminars include public lectures, open School discussions and papers presented by a variety of guest lecturers from the UK and abroad. Following the seminar, a wine reception is held in the staff common room.
The School also hosts an annual Jeeves Lecture as part of its seminar programme. The lectures are given by eminent psychologists and neuroscientists. Staff, students and members of the public are welcome at this lecture.
Fees
Online only - £2,900
Application fee
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
15% Recent Graduate Discount
If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.
After your degree
Careers
Graduates from the online programme entered or continued their work in a variety of occupations, including:
- clinical services development manager
- community care officer
- deputy nurse manager
- occupational therapist
- podiatrist
- speech and language therapist
- senior social worker
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Further study
Some graduates go on to pursue further education through taught postgraduate courses in Psychology or a PhD research degree.
Postgraduate researchContact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2157
- psyneuropg@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience
St Mary's Quad
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JP