Special Educational Needs and Inclusion (Autism Pathway)

Entry requirements

Applicants will possess one of the following:

• Good honours Degree of a UK University
• Good honours Degree from a recognised University other than in the UK
• QTS or equivalent. Applicants working in children’s services without QTS with an ordinary degree or Early Years Teacher Status or QTLS will be considered.
• Applicants who have recent professional experience of three years or more will be positively considered. In this case the applicants will be interviewed and must demonstrate suitability for the course by providing: portfolio evidence of significant professional engagement in education or services for children at graduate equivalent level and/or a piece of written text. This portfolio sets out details of the relevant career pathway of the candidate, including a summary of their specific responsibilities relating to children & young people in schools or other settings.
• Applicants who have achieved level 7 credits undertaken on a UK accredited initial teacher education programme will be eligible to join the MA SEN & Inclusion with a maximum of 60 credits if applicants are able to demonstrate that their level 7 credits focussed upon an SEN specialism and was achieved recently.
• Applicants who have achieved level 7 credits on the Postgraduate Certificate Special Educational Needs (SEN) Coordination will be eligible to join the MA SEN & Inclusion with a maximum of 60 credits.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Highlights

• The course has a highly experienced and supportive teaching team who have a variety of teaching and research experiences in autism, which are embedded into the learning experience
• Modules are relevant to those working, or have aspirations of working, in services or settings which support individuals with autism
• The Subject Area has a strong reputation for research in autism. As a result, there are opportunities to pursue your research interests towards a PhD

This course will help you to develop your knowledge and skills in the field of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion, specialising in the autism spectrum, including Asperger syndrome. This specialist pathway is ideal for professionals working in early years, primary or secondary schools, further and higher education, voluntary sector, advisory roles, and residential settings. You can also study this course if you have a personal interest, subject to entry requirements.

Our modules will help you to understand autism from the perspective of the individual and the family, focusing on theories that explore the strengths and needs of individuals. In order to help you evaluate best practice, including your own, we will take you through a thorough analysis of evidence-based approaches. Overall, we aim to help you to reduce the barriers that individuals with autism face in education and wider society.

The modules undertaken will vary depending upon the selected exit award (PG certificate, diploma, MA). Each module is equivalent to 30 Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points at level 7, except the dissertation which is 60 CATS points. If you want to complete the full MA, you will complete three compulsory modules, an optional module and a research thesis.

Information for international students

All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with a score no lower than 6.0 for writing and no remaining band/compenent below 5.5 for study at postgraduate level.

For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

Fees and funding

For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.