Special and Inclusive Education MA / MSc

This masters degree will:

• develop your knowledge of key concepts and selected issues addressed in the academic and professional literature
• enhance your understanding of disciplinary and theoretical perspectives and their relationship to practice
• give you the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise evidence, theory and practice
• increase your capacity to apply conceptual and theoretical frameworks to professional policy and practice.

Features

The programme provides the opportunity to:

• study in one of the country's leading specialist departments in special educational needs (SEN), disability and educational psychology
• work with internationally recognised tutors who have published widely in the areas of special education, inclusion and disability studies and contribute to masters and doctoral programmes worldwide.

Who is this programme for?

Teachers and other professionals who have an interest in working with children, young people or adults with SEN and disabilities.

Entry requirements

A good first degree or equivalent.

Core topics

• Concepts and contexts of special and inclusive education
• Research design and methodology.

Related topics

• Language development
• Inclusive pedagogy
• Leadership and management in special and inclusive education
• Psychology for special needs
• Specific learning difficulties
• Social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in children with speech, language and communication needs.

How are you assessed?

By coursework assignments and a 12,000-word dissertation or 6,000-word report.

Attendance

Face-to-face evening sessions. Attendance may vary depending on your choice of optional modules.

Where do our students go?

Graduates of this masters degree are currently working as:

• managers in mainstream and special schools
• special educational needs (SEN) coordinators
• staff in specialist services for children with SEN.

More information

If you take this programme full-time you should expect to attend two evening sessions of three hours per week in the autumn term, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the spring and summer terms, you will attend on average two evening sessions of three hours per week, plus dissertation support and supervision sessions.

If you take this programme part-time, you should expect to attend on average one evening session of three hours per week in the first year. In the second year, you will attend one evening session of three hours per week, plus dissertation support and supervision sessions in the spring and summer terms.

You may be eligible to receive additional government funding for this programme:

MA Special and Inclusive Education

Please see the National scholarship fund for teachers information sheet (pdf, 0.1mb). Please note that the scholarship application period is currently closed. If you have further queries regarding the scholarship, please contact Gill Brackenbury or Tina Catchpole.

National Award for SENCOs course (2 SENCO modules from the MA Special and Inclusive Education)

Please see the DFE Scholarship National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination information sheet (pdf, 0.2mb). The scholarship application period is currently closed.

Core modules

• Concepts and Contexts of Special and Inclusive Education
• Research Design and Methodology

Recommended modules

• Inclusive Pedagogy
• Language Development
• Leadership and Management in Special Educational Needs
• Psychology for Special Needs