MSc in Vitality and Ageing

Leiden University

Discover the colourful careers of a greying society with the Master’s programme Vitality & Ageing. Become an expert on healthy ageing, co-creation, innovation and health management of an ageing population.

What Does this Master’s Programme entail?

There’s more to growing old gracefully than staying as healthy as you can for as long as you can. Maintaining your independence and continued participation in valuable social activities are equally as important.

When it comes to getting old, our internationally oriented master’s programme will equip you with the kind of knowledge and dedicated academic skills that will enable you to enhance the lives of our senior citizens. Your expertise in the area of ageing will be enriched in three main areas: biological, individual and societal. As no other, you will be primed to play a key role in improving the future of our ageing society.

Why Study Vitality and Ageing in Leiden?

• The master’s Vitality and Ageing is a unique interdisciplinary programme combining various perspectives on ageing as the biology of healthy ageing, public health, and healthcare management.
• You will become an expert in health management of an ageing population. In addition to the knowledge on the ageing perspectives you will receive extensive training in Academic Development, Communication in Science and Research and Evidence.
• The master’s is appreciated by its students for the personalised study methods and small interdisciplinary set up. Students with various Bachelor backgrounds study together in small groups with extensive guidance from top lectures.

Career prospects

Alumni of the master’s Vitality and Ageing start their careers in various academic positions. They mostly kick-off their careers in scientific research, policy development or continue with their medical career.

The career opportunities of Vitality and Ageing

Scientific - PhD

After completing the Master Vitality and Ageing programme you’ll be perfectly positioned to start a scientific career in research, by doing a PhD. This master’s programme will be an ideal preparation. Not only will it help you develop excellent skills in scientific writing and other scientific communication techniques, it will also acquaint you with the latest scientific research in the field. Furthermore, you’ll be able to expand your international network of scientists in the field of vitality and ageing.

Policy

Many national and International organizations and governments have realised that our ageing society demands a new type of expert. Thanks to its international focus on how to better organise the ageing society, this master’s programme constitutes the perfect stepping stone towards a career in healthcare organisations or governmental and non-governmental organisations, as a consultant or advisor for example.

Medical

The future of medicine is evolving, since the average age of patients admitted to hospital is 68 years, and expected to rise. Therefore, the amount of older adults in the daily activities of every medical specialism will increase. In combination with the Medical School, the Master Vitality and Ageing forms an excellent supplement to your further medical education.