Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties (Online) PGCert

Successful completion of the PGCert Dyslexia and Language Difficulties course, will enable you to apply for Professional Memebership and an Assessment Practicing Certificate (APC) with the following recognised professional bodies:

• Patoss
• The British Dyslexia Association (BDA)
• The Dyslexia Guild

The course is accredited by SASC (SpLD Assessment Standards Committee). 

Course Structure

Although the course is delivered through distance learning, you will be required to complete your own teaching and assessment practice face-to-face. Please note that teaching and assessing learners cannot be conducted online for the qualification.

• Extensive Expertise: a high proportion of the trained specialist teachers in the field across the UK are our alumni.
• Leading Provider: One of the strongest aspects of our provision is the consistency and coherence of the structure and delivery of the sensory pathways.
• Flexible Learning: Study part-time with a range of module options and distance learning flexibility.
• Career Advancement: Develop advanced skills and insights to enhance career opportunities in diverse educational and care settings.

You'll be supported to design, implement, and critically evaluate individual literacy programmes for learners with literacy difficulties in a variety of learning environments. You will be further supported in the principles of psychometric testing and conducting assessments of learners with literacy difficulties. 

You will also have the option to begin your studies on the full MA Inclusion (Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties) programme from the outset. This route includes all the components of the PGCert, along with additional second- and third-year modules and a dissertation. By choosing this pathway, students work towards a Master’s degree from the beginning and graduate with APC (Assessment Practicing Certificate) accreditation as well as an MA.

• 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.
• 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.
• Opportunities for more indepth tutorials

Studying at a distance means you can work from anywhere, such as in your home or workplace in the UK or overseas. All your studies will be in English.

Please note that the course will require approximately 200 hours of study per module (12-14 hours per week).

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

You must take the following:

Applicants are also required to have at least two years of teaching experience in an educational environment. This requirement is because the course starts with one-on-one teaching, with the goal of helping you develop specialist teaching skills during your teaching practice. For those working with children, it is expected that the student will have an enhanced DBS certificate prior to starting the course.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2026 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your 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.

Tuition fee deposits for international students

International students undertaking a postgraduate taught degree are required to pay a tuition fee deposit before an electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can be issued.

We highly encourage you to upload a reference with your application submission. This should ideally be provided by a professional manager and submitted on official headed paper. Although not mandatory, providing a reference at this stage helps us review your application more efficiently and in line with our policies and procedures.

Successful completion of Modules 1-3 will allow you to apply for a Teaching Practice Certificate. This will allow you to teach individuals as a specialist accredited teacher.

Successful completion of the assessment module will allow you to apply for an Assessment Practicing Certificate from any of the three professional bodies: BDA, Dyslexia Guild and Patoss. This qualification allows the holder to assess for dyslexia in the UK and certain other jurisdictions. It also allows the holder to assess for and stipulate access arrangements in public examinations.

For those who choose to continue their studies and complete an MA Inclusion (Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties), there are opportunities to work in a range of roles in higher education institutions such as universities.

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.