
Ageing Sciences
Ageing Sciences
Programme Introduction
Among the major transformations and challenges of contemporary societies is the demographic transition, brought by the increased longevity, by the decreasing birth and death rates as a consequence of improved healthcare and living conditions. The ageing population is a global phenomenon and occupies a prominent place in political agendas and in the fields of social educational and health intervention.
The uniqueness of the ageing processes and the plurality of experiences and trajectories of those in the later stages of their life journey necessitate a broad reflection about responses and strategies for social educational and health intervention with the senior population. In all contexts, there must be competent, qualified and dedicated professionals promoting healthy ageing. This intervention requires, on one hand, the recognition of the heterogeneity of needs and requests, and on the other, an individualised approach, taking into account the specificities of each human being and the context in which they live.
This master’s programme aims to equip students with the skills to better respond to the transformations resulting from the ageing population, which holds a prominent place in political agendas and in the fields of social and health intervention. Additionally, this master’s programme seeks to promote the development of research skills and lifelong learning, which will enable the rethinking of public policies, involving multiple sectors such as health, education, social security and work, the economy, justice, territorial planning and development, housing, transport, tourism, new technologies, and culture.
Programme Coordinator
(updating)
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Language
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Length
Vacancies
Total: 40
- Health Intervention: 20
- Social and Education Intervention: 20
Notice
Edital 2025 2v (PT doc)
DGES certification

Objectives
The Master’s in Ageing Sciences aims to:
- Train professionals with an integrative vision and transformative capacity for multiprofessional and interdisciplinary intervention with the elderly population;
- Train professionals who promote healthier ageing by developing and applying interventions with elderly people, families, institutions, and other contexts that include elderly people;
- Train professionals who are capable of advancing knowledge in the field of ageing sciences through research, innovation, and development.
Specifically, this master’s aims to:
- Promote the development of scientific, technical, relational, and ethical skills in professionals, contributing to enhancing the health, quality of life, and well-being of elderly people;
- Deepen knowledge about the human ageing process in various dimensions from an integrated and multidisciplinary perspective;
- Understand methods of assessment and intervention in Gerontogeriatrics;
- Apply knowledge in the development of programmes, services, or practices, facing the challenges/constraints arising from current demographic ageing trends;
- Develop skills for implementing interventions that promote active and healthy ageing, involving elderly people, families, caregivers, and communities;
- Promote teamwork skills in an interdisciplinary context and with institutional partners;
- Implement intervention plans aimed at enhancing the functionality of the elderly in various dimensions.
Study Plan
- 1. Year – Health Intervention branch
- 2. Year – Health Intervention branch
- 1. Year – Social and Education Intervention branch
- 2. Year – Social and Education Intervention branch
ID | Name | Semester | ECTS | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ageing and Health | 1S | 6 | 35 h | |
CP1. Epidemiology of ageing | ||||
Ageing and Society | 1S | 6 | 35 h | |
CP1. Demographic ageing and implications for human longevity
| ||||
Research Methodologies | 1S | 6 | 45 h | |
CP1 – Research designs and their phases | ||||
Ethics, Law and Ageing Policies | 1S | 6 | 40 h | |
CP1. Morality and ethics | ||||
Multidimensional Evaluation of the Old Person | 1S | 6 | 45 h | |
CP1- Communication and interpersonal relationships in the provision of geriatric care | ||||
Gerontotechnology | 2S | 6 | 45 h | |
CP1. Empirical Approach to Human Ageing and technology | ||||
Empowerment and Health Literacy | 2S | 5 | 30 h | |
CP1 HEALTH AND HEALTH PARADIGMS
| ||||
Management of Health-Disease Processes | 2S | 10 | 75 h | |
CP1. Adaptation to health-disease processes in elderly people | ||||
Cognitive Rehabilitation | 2S | 10 | 75 h | |
CP1. Cognition: Conceptual framework |
ID | Name | Semester | ECTS | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dissertation or Project Work | Annual | 60 | ||
Dissertation Students must produce a dissertation report, properly supported from a theoretical and practical point of view, under the supervision of a Project Work Students must produce a report, duly supported from a theoretical and practical point of view, under the supervision of a |
ID | Name | Semester | ECTS | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ageing and Health | 1S | 6 | 35 h | |
CP1. Epidemiology of ageing | ||||
Ageing and Society | 1S | 6 | 35 h | |
CP1. Demographic ageing and implications for human longevity
| ||||
Research Methodologies | 1S | 6 | 45 h | |
CP1 – Research designs and their phases | ||||
Ethics, Law and Ageing Policies | 1S | 6 | 40 h | |
CP1. Morality and ethics | ||||
Multidimensional Evaluation of the Old Person | 1S | 6 | 45 h | |
CP1- Communication and interpersonal relationships in the provision of geriatric care | ||||
Stimulation and Lifelong Education | 2S | 6 | 45 h | |
CP1. Concepts and framing fundamentals | ||||
Intervention in Gerontogeriatric Contexts | 2S | 6 | 45 h | |
CP1 Organization and process management of customers/users | ||||
Social and Community Intervention | 2S | 6 | 45 h | |
CP1 – Assumptions and objectives of community social intervention; | ||||
Animation and Healthy Lifestyles | 2S | 6 | 45 h | |
| ||||
Seminar | 2S | 6 | 35 h | |
The programmatic contents of this curricular unit will be adjusted to the thematic and methodological path courses that students intend to |
ID | Name | Semester | ECTS | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dissertation or Project Work | Annual | 60 | ||
Dissertation Students must produce a dissertation report, properly supported by a theoretical and practical point of view, under the supervision of a Project Work Students must produce a report, duly supported from a theoretical and practical point of view, under the supervision of a |
Entry Requirements
- Holders of the degree of Licenciado or legal equivalent conferred by a national higher education institution in the areas of Health (area of specialization in Health Intervention), Social and Behavioral Sciences or Social Services (area of specialization in Social and Educational Intervention);
- Holders of a foreign higher academic degree, or legal equivalent, conferred following a 1st study cycle according to the principles of the Bologna Process by a State that adheres to this Process in the areas referred to in point 1;
- Holders of a foreign higher academic degree, recognized by the Conselho Técnico-Científico (CTC) of Escola Superior de Saúde (ESSLei) and Escola Superior de Educação e Ciências Sociais (ESECS) of the Polytechnic of Leiria, fulfilling the objectives of the degree in the areas mentioned in section 1;
- Holders of academic, scientific or professional curricula recognized by the ESSLei or ESECS CTC as attesting the capacity to carry out the study cycle;
- Students who are in the final stages of completing their bachelor’s degree in the required fields of study for entry into the course and who declare this fact in their application.
International Student
All information related to the international student application should be consulted on our International Students webpage.
- Holders of the degree of Licenciado or legal equivalent conferred by a national higher education institution in the areas of Health (area of specialization in Health Intervention), Social and Behavioral Sciences or Social Services (area of specialization in Social and Educational Intervention);
- Holders of a foreign higher academic degree, or legal equivalent, conferred following a 1st study cycle according to the principles of the Bologna Process by a State that adheres to this Process in the areas referred to in point 1;
- Holders of a foreign higher academic degree, recognized by the Conselho Técnico-Científico (CTC) of Escola Superior de Saúde (ESSLei) and Escola Superior de Educação e Ciências Sociais (ESECS) of the Polytechnic of Leiria, fulfilling the objectives of the degree in the areas mentioned in section 1;
- Holders of academic, scientific or professional curricula recognized by the ESSLei or ESECS CTC as attesting the capacity to carry out the study cycle;
- Students who are in the final stages of completing their bachelor’s degree in the required fields of study for entry into the course and who declare this fact in their application.
International Student
All information related to the international student application should be consulted on our International Students webpage.
Accreditation
State: Accredited
N. years of accreditation: 3
Publication date: 22-02-2024
Accreditation A3ES
State: Accredited
N. years of accreditation: 3
Publication date: 22-02-2024
Accreditation A3ES
More Information
Contacts
E-mail: studywithus@ipleiria.pt
Contacts
E-mail: studywithus@ipleiria.pt
Application Fee
60€
60€
Enrolment Fee
General contingent: 50€
International student contingent: 100€
General contingent: 50€
International student contingent: 100€
Tuition Fee
General contingent: 1140€
International student contingent: 3000€
General contingent: 1140€
International student contingent: 3000€