Health, Ageing and Society (MSc)
Health, Ageing and Society (MSc): About the programme
What does the Master’s programme in Health, Ageing and Society entail? The master’s programme Health, Ageing and Society is an interdisciplinary master’s programme focusing on understanding the health and wellbeing of the ageing population and contributing to innovations concerning older people.
On this page, you’ll discover:
• Which study route suits your needs (full-time or part-time)
• What and how you will learn and which skills you develop
• What makes this international master unique
Looking for the details of the courses and modules? → Explore the programme structure in in the Course Content.
Two study options
This is a flexible master’s programme designed to fit different needs.
You can choose:
- Full-time (1 year) – an in depth academic year
- Part-time (2 years) – ideal if you want to combine work and study
If you choose the one-year, fulltime programme, you can expect four to five days per week on campus for face-to-face lectures and working groups. For part-time students, every Friday, there are on-campus lectures and working groups which you are expected to attend. The other days of the week are spent studying independently and watching recordings of lectures.
Angelika Gilli
Student HAS
"I wanted to broaden my horizon in the field of ageing. Since this Master offers very different points of views it is actually more than my expectations were."
What will you learn in this master?
You gain both academic knowledge and practical skills to work in ageing-related fields.
Knowledge
- Understanding of ageing processes (biological, social, psychological)
- Insight into healthcare systems for older adults
- Knowledge of policy and innovation in ageing societies
Skills you develop
- Interdisciplinary thinking
- Research and analytical skills
- Innovative thinking, problem solving and using creative methods Collaboration across sectors and generations
These skills are essential for a future career in the field of health and ageing.
Eva Edam
Student
"Before beginning my clinical rotations, I wanted to have a useful gapyear. This one-year master’s programme really stood out to me because of it’s broad curriculum. Besides that, I wanted to learn more about all the aspects of ageing."
How you learn: practice-based and interactive
Our students appreciate the master’s programme for its personalized study methods and its small-group, international set-up. Students with various bachelor backgrounds set out to study and work in small groups to do their assignments under intensive guidance.
The programme also emphasizes active and practice-based learning. You work on real-world challenges related to health and ageing.
Key elements of this learning approach:
- Small, diverse groups → learn from peers with different backgrounds (in terms of study or work background and nationality)
- Co-creation → collaborate with stakeholders and older adults
- Skills trainingsà personal and professional trainings
This approach prepares you to create meaningful, real‑world impact in healthcare, research and policy practice.
Programme highlights of the Master's in Health, Ageing and Society
Our programme goes beyond course content and practice-based learning.
- Individual Learning Plan (ILP): tailor parts of the programme to your own interests and professional goals.
- Field orientation: visit relevant organisations and participate in orientation visits including an international study trip.
- Innovation line: develop an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset through activities and assignments embedded in every course.
Combining this all, youare trained to become a professional who can contribute to the field of health and ageing.
Esther Werkman
Student
"A highlight for me is that older individuals are involved in the study programme. They sometimes give feedback for assignments, or we interview them to learn more about their experience. I think this is very valuable."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there room to dive deeper into personal interest and specialize in ageing and health?
Through courses, research projects and applied learning, you specialise in topics such as healthcare systems, social ageing and innovation. In every course there is room to incorporate your personal interests.
Is this an international master programme?
Yes. You study in an international classroom and work on global ageing challenges.
What kinds of projects will I work on?
You will work on a variety of individual and group projects. Every course includes practical assignments in which you will work on a project. These can range from developing an innovation based on user needs to writing a research proposal.
Does the programme include real-life assignments or field visits?
Yes. Throughout the year, we visit several organizations relevant to the projects. These visits are excellent opportunities for networking and exploring career options. We also go on one or two study trips, during which we visit international organizations and work on real-life assignments.
What are the most unique learning experiences in the programme?
One of the most distinctive aspects of our programme is that members of our target group, older adults, are actively involved through co-creation sessions.
Take the next step
Ready to learn more about the content of this healthy ageing programme?