Inclusion (Special Educational Needs) (Online)MA / PGCert

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most targeted by employers
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Delivery format
Online
Start date
September 2025
Duration
MA 36 months; PGCert 12 months
Award
Master of Arts / Postgraduate Certificate
Entry requirements
UK 2:2 honours degree
Full requirements
Fees
£3,913 (per year)
Fee details

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Course overview

Our MA Inclusion (Special Educational Needs) equips you with essential skills and deep understanding of SEND policies and practices. This flexible, part-time distance learning course offers global perspectives and expert-led modules, enabling you to make a meaningful impact in inclusive education while advancing your career in this rewarding field.

Drive meaningful change in educational systems and policies while making a significant impact on the lives of pupils with SEN. Enhance your career prospects by developing expertise and specialised skills in inclusive education, paving the way to leadership roles where you'll confidently influence practices and policies on a global scale.

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

We also offer a one year, part-time Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits in total). This option gives you the opportunity to gain a specialist qualification at Masters level after just one year of study , or (on successful completion of the modules) to transfer to the MA Programme. For the PGCert, you choose from one of the first year pathway options and for those who transfer to the MA, this would constitute your first year of the three-year course. The MA Inclusion entry criteria, teaching and assessment all apply to the PGCert option.

This course will run in a part-time mode, online for either 12 or 36 months depending on which awarded degree you enrolled for.

Tailor your studies by choosing from pathways such as MA Inclusion (SEN) to explore SEND trends and policies, Dyslexia and Literacy (ATS or AMBDA) for mastering intervention and assessment, or Special Educational Needs Coordination to excel in SEN leadership and resource management. Combine core modules with optional ones from other Inclusion programme pathways and engage in diverse assessments like essays, case studies, and practical evaluations.

Course highlights

The MA Inclusion (Special Educational Needs) offers a flexible, part-time study experience, perfect for professionals in diverse educational roles. Dive deep into the complexities of SEN with expert-led modules and critical research designed to provide you with advanced skills and a nuanced understanding of inclusive practices. Tailor your learning experience by choosing from an extensive range of optional modules, blending practical experience with specialised knowledge to enhance your impact in educational settings. Upon graduation you'll be confident and ready to advance into leadership roles or pursue further qualifications, supported by our expert tutors and comprehensive career advice.

Global Perspective: Gain expertise in SEN policies and practices with a global and socio-cultural focus.
Flexible Learning: Study part-time with a range of module options and distance learning flexibility.
Specialist Pathways: Choose from pathways in Dyslexia, Literacy, and SEN Coordination for tailored expertise.
Career Advancement: Develop advanced skills and insights to enhance career opportunities in diverse educational and care settings.

Our global expertise
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.

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

Complete three 20-credit modules to earn your Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert). If studying towards the MA, select three to four 20-credit core modules based on your pathway, along with 40 to 60 credits from optional modules taught throughout the whole course. To achieve the master’s qualification, you'll also undertake a 60-credit dissertation project in the final 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.

2025/26 Session

The following must be taken by all students:

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Dissertation (Distance Education)	60	Full Term

The following must be taken for MA Inclusion (SEN):

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Cross-Cultural Issues in SEND	20	Semester 1
LM Evaluation and Policy Analysis for Inclusive Education	20	Semester 2
LM Inclusion : Universal and Specialist Approaches	20

The following must be taken for MA Inclusion (SEN) Programme with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties (ATS):

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Intervention and Curriculum Management for Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) / Dyslexia	20	Semester 1
LM Discussing Dyslexia	20
LM Understanding Literacy Difficulties	20	Semester 2

The following must be taken for MA Inclusion (SEN) Programme with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties (AMBDA):

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Intervention and Curriculum Management for Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) / Dyslexia	20	Semester 1
LM Discussing Dyslexia	20
LM Identification and assessment of Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)/dyslexia (AMBDA enhanced)	20	Semester 1
LM Understanding Literacy Difficulties	20	Semester 2

The following must be taken for MA Inclusion (SEN) Programme with Special Educational Needs Coordination:

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Coordinating provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities	20	Semester 2
Leadership and collaboration to support colleagues, other professionals, pupils with special educational needs	20
Professional contexts and the strategic role of the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO): policy and procedures	20	Semester 1

Optional modules for all student routes.

Choose 60 credits if MA Inclusion (SEN), Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties (ATS), or Special Educational Needs Coordination pathways.
Choose 40 credits if Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties (AMBDA) pathway.

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Curriculum and Approaches for Autistic Children and Young People	20	Semester 2
LM Developing Scholarly Practice and Becoming an Agent for Change	20
LM Developing and Evaluating Interventions for Learners with SLD/PMLD	20	Semester 2
LM Developmental Psychology and Neurodiversity (Distance Education)	20
LM Inclusive Practice with Children and Young People with Sensory Impairments	20
LM Issues in the Education of Children, Young People and Adults Identified with ADHD (Distance Education)	20
LM Reflective Practice in Meeting the Needs of Learners with SLD/PMLD	20	Semester 1
LM Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties and Mental Health: Identification, Assessment & Provision	20	Semester 1
LM The Educational Needs of Autistic Children and Young People.	20	Semester 1
LM Understanding the Common and Diverse Needs of Autistic Adults and Young People	20	Semester 1
LM Using Enabling Practice with Autistic Adults and Young People	20	Semester 2
LM Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties and Mental Health: Strategies, Interventions and Approaches	20	Semester 2

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.

Additional requirements for

UK 2:2 honours degree
For this programme, you require 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.

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.

Students who have not studied in English must pass a recognised English test. For more information on what proof you will need, visit our International Postgraduate requirements page

International entry requirements

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.

Presessional English course

Fees and scholarships

Fees information for:

£3,913
Fee per year of study starting in September 2025

Scholarship information for:

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.

Learn more about loans

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.

Explore scholarships and funding

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.

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

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.

Standard requirements for

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.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Postgraduate applicant information

Career opportunities

Our MA Inclusion (Special Educational Needs) equips you with essential skills to support children with disabilities across various career paths. You'll gain a deep understanding of educational inclusion and SEND policies, evaluate practice frameworks, and analyse disability concepts globally. The course also covers different SEND groupings, enhancing your ability to critique research and policy. These insights prepare you for roles like SEN coordinators, educational consultants, or positions in community and charitable organisations, advancing your career in education and care.