Ranking
64th
in the world for Education
Course overview
Our MA Inclusion (SLD/PMLD) offers a flexible, online learning experience tailored for professionals supporting individuals with severe and profound learning disabilities. Develop expertise in inclusive practices and educational policies through a comprehensive, part-time course with a choice of modules and a focus on collaborative approaches to meet diverse needs.
Position yourself at the forefront of inclusive education. Study with us and develop advanced knowledge as well as practical skills that will enhance your career prospects and prepare you for impactful roles in supporting individuals with severe and profound learning disabilities.
Course Structure
This course will run in a part-time mode, online for either 12 or 36 months depending on which awarded degree you enrolled for.
You’ll focus on developing and assessing targeted interventions for SLD/PMLD, exploring universal and specialist approaches in inclusive education, and enhancing reflective practices using psychological theories. Combine these three 20-credit core modules with an optional module to get equipped with practical skills and theoretical insights to support diverse learners effectively. Assessments include coursework, case studies, and more.
Course highlights
Our Department of Disability, Inclusion and Special Needs (DISN) blends global expertise with practical insights to drive inclusion and social justice through innovative research and tailored education. The Inclusion (SLD/PMLD) MA/PGCert equips you with practical skills to support learners with severe, profound, and multiple learning disabilities. Our part-time, distance learning course is designed for professionals seeking to advance their careers by developing and evaluating interventions informed by the latest research.
- Flexible, part-time distance learning: Designed for professionals, this course allows you to advance your career while balancing work and personal commitments.
- Diverse, real-world application: Tailored to support educators in various settings, from special schools to inclusive mainstream environments.
- Career advancement opportunities: Strong career support and the option to progress to a PhD, ensuring you’re prepared to lead in inclusive education.
- Leading experts
in Disability, Inclusion, and Special Needs
- 11th in the UK
for Education (QS World Rankings 2024)
- 3rd in the UK
for 4* research in Education (REF 2021)
Led by experts from our Department, you'll gain valuable insights into inclusive education, enhancing your reflective practice. Providing career support and flexible learning that fits around your commitments, you’ll graduate ready to lead and innovate in the field of inclusive education.
Course delivery
Teaching will utilise a range of learning methods, including online classes, discussions and group activities.
- 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 days.
- 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.
- 1:1 Supervision: Supervisors expected to support, encourage and guide those students who are their tutees’ so that they are supported in maximising their academic potential, personal development, and professional and employability skills acquisition throughout their time as a student at the University.
Module information
Students will complete three 20-credit modules to obtain the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert). For those progressing onto the MA in the second year, you'll need to choose 60 credits from a combination of optional modules (which include core modules from the other pathways on the MA Inclusion) and complete a dissertation (60 credits) in your third year.
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.
The following must be taken in Year 1:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LM Developing and Evaluating Interventions for Learners with SLD/PMLD | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LM Inclusion : Universal and Specialist Approaches | 20 | |
| LM Reflective Practice in Meeting the Needs of Learners with SLD/PMLD | 20 | Semester 1 |
In Year 2, students must choose 60 credits of optional modules:
In Year 3, the following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LM 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.
- 2:2 Honours degree
in a relevant area of practice or discipline
Normally a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant area of practice or discipline. Vocational qualifications are accepted as criteria for entry to this course.
Most students will have some relevant professional experience and all applicants are encouraged to gain relevant experience in educational, care or other professional settings before, and during, embarking on a programme of study.
Speakers of English as a second language will be required to hold an IELTs 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band or equivalent qualification.
Fees and scholarships
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
Complete our Inclusion (SLD/PMLD) MA/PGCert and you'll be ready to position yourself as a leader in inclusive education.
Whether you're looking to enhance your current role or transition into a new sector, you'll graduate with in-demand skills to design and implement interventions that make a tangible difference in special education settings. With a strong focus on professional growth and career support, you'll be equipped to advance into senior positions or pursue further academic qualifications.
- #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.