Mandatory Qualification for Teachers of Children and Young People with Vision ImpairmentsMA / PGDip

Start shaping the future of sensory education with us by developing your expertise to lead and innovate in supporting children with vision impairments. With tailored guidance from top experts, you’ll be prepared to confidently take on impactful roles and advanced career opportunities in this field.

Course Structure

• Specialist-Led Training: The University of Birmingham trains approximately 100 specialist teachers annually, making it the UK's largest vision impairment teacher training provider.
• Flexible Study Options: Choose from a wide range of modules and study online, part-time, to fit your professional commitments.
• Practice-Oriented and Collaborative Learning: The course emphasises practical application, connecting with mainstream settings, special schools, and sensory support services to help keep provision up to date and relevant to practice.

Students will benefit from association with members of the Vision Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research (VICTAR) and personalised career guidance. Ideal for professionals in various settings, this course equips you to drive meaningful change and advance in your career, potentially leading to further qualifications such as a PhD or EdD.

• Online live classes: You will get the opportunity to meet the teaching team, fellow students and we will provide a step-by-step guide to working through materials on your first module of study.
• Engage in module group work and seminars: in every module of study there are live (real time) opportunities to work together, giving you the chance to discuss key topics, share your learning and to reflect on workplace experiences.
• Four 2-study weekends held at the School of Education: attendance is a requirement. Dates for 2025-26 TBC.

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.

Those completing the MA (Mandatory Qualification) will need to complete all the modules below (worth 20 credits each) and a dissertation (worth 60 credits).

Those completing the MA Education of Children and Young People with Vision Impairments will study the same modules as in the MA Mandatory Qualification programme, but will not undertake the Effective Teaching of Learners with Sensory Impairment module which includes the teaching placement. Instead, in the summer term of the second year you will take the 'Inclusion: Universal and Specialist Approaches' module.

The following modules must be taken in Year 2:

The following module must be taken in Year 3:

In addition to the general entry requirements, applicants should have:

• Department for Education (DfE) Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teaching and Learning Skills (QTLS) status or equivalent
• a minimum of one year's teaching experience
• mentor support from a qualified teacher of vision impairments (QTVI)
• either paid employment, or a formalised volunteer role with a view to employment as a QTVI, in a capacity that involves regular and ongoing teaching of children and young people with vision impairments 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).

As well as those requirements already listed, you will be expected to have:

• access to a braille machine for the duration of the programme
• internet access from home and/or work
• appropriate resources, commitment and a line manager’s agreement to allow full engagement in all the required components of the programme (e.g. attendance at residential study weekends and online study days and tutorials; agreement from line manager for release for educational visits, teaching placements and ideally a minimum of half a day per week study time; a mentor who is a QTVI)

Programme staff will discuss the course with all suitable candidates.

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.

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.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

The PGDip/MA Education of Children and Young People with Vision Impairments qualifications are suitable for professionals who do not wish, or are not eligible, to obtain QTVI status – for example, lecturers of students with vision impairments, and educational psychologists.

There is the opportunity to work towards a further professional qualification in the field of Education both within schools and in other settings, including progression to a PhD or EdD. The excellent careers advice provided by personal tutors has encouraged many of our graduates to successfully apply for leadership roles working with children and young people with vision impairments.

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.