Ranking
3rd
in UK for Education (REF 2021)
Course overview
Make a difference in the classroom with our MA/PG Diploma in Deaf Education. Achieve the specialist skills and confidence to transform the lives of deaf children and unlock their potential.
Our course will provide you with the mandatory qualification to become a certified teacher of the deaf, opening doors to leadership roles such as specialist teachers, educational audiologists, and more. Taught by leading academics at our top-ranked School of Education, the programme is designed to fit around your schedule, combining flexible online learning with real-time opportunities to engage in group work and seminars, plus four mandatory 2-day study weekends for in-person cohort interaction.
Course Structure
Our MA course runs over 3 years, while the PGDip runs over 2 years. Both courses are delivered part-time in a distance-learning mode.
Course highlights
Our MA/PGDip Mandatory Qualification in Deaf Education is approved by the Department of Education and designed to fit around busy working lives, enabling qualified teachers (QTS or QTLS) to gain the specialist skills and knowledge they need to make a difference to the lives of children and young people in the classroom.
- One of the UK's largest deaf education courses
- Strong links with mainstream settings, specialist schools and sensory support services
- Encourages reflective practice
- Taught by senior practitioners and researchers
- Obtain Qualified Teacher of the Deaf status
- Leading UK course
with strong links to mainstream and special education settings
Course delivery
Our MA/PGDip Character Education course is fully online, combining scheduled activities with flexible, self-paced weekly study units.
- Online live classes - Classes with this format meet at a regularly scheduled time online. You can interact live with your instructor and classmates as you all work together at the same time and same day.
- Online On Demand classes - On-Demand content and materials are available around the clock, whenever they are needed. Each learner can proceed through at their own speed.
Module information
The MA programme comprises of 180 credits of taught material, including a 60-credit dissertation project.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
In Year 1, the following modules must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Audiological Management | 20 | |
| Communication and Language Development in Deaf Children and Young People | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Policy and SEND Professional Identity | 20 | Semester 2 |
In Year 2, students take the following modules:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum access for Deaf Learners | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Inclusion : Universal and Specialist Approaches | 20 | |
| The development of deaf children and young people | 20 | Semester 1 |
MA students complete one compulsory module in Year 3:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation (Distance Education) | 60 | Full Term |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- A first degree or diploma
or five years of relevant professional experience, training or other relevant qualifications
In addition to the general entry requirements, applicants must have:
- Department for Education (DfE) Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teaching and Learning Skills (QTLS) status or equivalent
- a minimum of one years’ teaching experience
- mentor support from a qualified teacher of deaf children
- paid employment or a formalised volunteer role with a view to employment as qualified teacher of the deaf, in a capacity that involves regular and ongoing teaching of deaf children and young people throughout the duration of the programme
Submission of evidence for QTS/QTLS is mandatory for admission, along with documentation clearly confirming your Teacher Reference Number (TRN).
Please note that for enrolment onto this course, Early Years Teaching Status does NOT count as qualified teacher status (QTS).
Entry to the programme will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check (child and adult workforce, child barred list) carried out by the University of Birmingham. We may be able to consider an existing Enhanced DBS certificate provided this is registered with the DBS Update Service and is at this exact same level. If a new Enhanced DBS check is required applicants will be liable for the cost of this check.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £4,347
Fixed fee for each year of study
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees are fixed at this price for each year of study for the duration of the programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
Our MA/PGDip in Deaf Education will prepare you for a diverse range of careers in deaf education.
The course is ideal for teachers needing the mandatory Qualified Teacher of the Deaf status, and for education professionals, including lecturers and educational psychologists. Graduates often progress to PhD or EdD programmes, and into leadership roles, including as specialist teachers, educational audiologists, and BSL interpreters.
- #1 Most Targeted UK University
by leading graduate employers (High Fliers Research 2024)
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.