Teachers of Children and Young People with Multi-Sensory Impairment (Deafblindness)

Approved by the Department of Education and designed to fit around busy working lives, the PGDip / MA Mandatory Qualification for Teachers of Children and Young People with Multi-Sensory Impairment (Deafblindness) are blended learning programmes that enable qualified teachers (QTS or QTLS) to gain specialist skills and knowledge that make a difference to children and the adults who support them in the classroom. You will be able to work through online learning materials at your own pace and will be supported by both online tutorials and live lectures. There will also be two face to face study weekends that you must attend if you wish to gain the mandatory qualification.

Please note: an alternative course (MA Education of Learners with Multi-Sensory Impairment/Deafblindness) is also open to teachers (as well as other professionals with appropriate qualifications) working with children and young people with multi-sensory impairments who do not wish, or are not eligible, to obtain QTMSI (qualified teacher of the deaf) status.

Why study this course?

• The University of Birmingham has successfully delivered mandatory teaching qualifications in the three specialist areas for over 30 years and a high proportion of the trained specialist teachers in the field across the UK are our alumni.
• The Department of Disability Inclusion and Special Needs (DISN) is currently the only provider in England (and the UK and Europe) in all three specialist areas. Therefore, one of the strongest aspects of our provision is the consistency and coherence of the structure and delivery of the sensory pathways.
• The programme with its three sensory pathways exists within DISN with its strong international reputation for professional development, in a culture of research across inclusion, special education and educational psychology. You will be tutored by senior practitioners and researchers in your specialist area.