Inclusion and Special Educational Needs MEd/MA/ Postgraduate Diploma/ Postgraduate Certificate / BPhil/ Advanced Certificate

This programme enables students to study across a wide spectrum of inclusion and special educational needs. It is designed for students who wish to study a range of modules relating to Inclusion and Special Educational Needs (ISEN) full timeon campus or by distance learning.

Course fact file

Type of Course: Continuing professional development, distance learning, taught

Study Options: Full time, part time

Duration: MEd/MA – 1 year full-time, 2–6 years distance learning; Diploma – 1 year full-time, 2–4 years distance learning; Certificate – 1 semester full-time, 1–2 years /distance learning

Start date: September

Contact

Michele Pipe, Programme Leader (Campus full and Part time)
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4822
Email: m.c.pipe@bham.ac.uk 

Neil Hall (Distance Learning)
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4841
Email: n.hall.1@bham.ac.uk

Details

This programme designed with two distinct groups of participants in mind:

  • Those who wish to study a range of campus-based modules relating to ISEN
  • Those on distance learning modes who wish to combine modules from two programmes

The ISEN programme is suitable for:

  • UK, European and overseas students 
  • professionals in schools, further education, social services or health related roles who are interested in the education and needs of children or students with a range of special educational needs (SEN) 
  • people who have completed a first degree and are attracted to study and gain knowledge about children and students with special educational needs

The campus-based programme utilises lectures, seminars, tutorials, school visits, practical tasks and discussions. Campus-based lectures are given by academics who are leaders in research in the Special Educational Needs field.

The distance learning programme utilises material for home study, tutorial and seminar groups, together with university-based residential weekends in Birmingham. Our distance learning programme has a reputation for excellence both nationally and internationally. 

Levels of Award

The level at which an individual is admitted to study on the programme will depend on their previous academic qualifications as well as their professional experience.

pdficonsmallDownload information on the different levels of award (PDF opens new window)

Modules

Campus programme 

Each module gains 20 credits at the appropriate level. Modules are reviewed annually and may vary from year to year. However we always offer students the opportunity to study a range of aspects of SEN. In 2012/13 the following modules in SEN are to be offered:

Semester 1 

  • Introduction to Inclusion and SEN (compulsory for all ISEN students)
  • Introduction to Speech & Language Difficulties
  • Special Educational Needs of Children with Autism
  • Practitioner Inquiry in Education – Research skills (compulsory for students working on dissertations)

Semester 2

  • Policy, practice and provision for SEN
  • Social and Emotional Behaviour Difficulties
  • Curriculum needs and approaches for children with Autism
  • Independent (special) study

Modules can be taken from other studies in special education programmes in the School of Education but must first be discussed with the ISEN Programme Co-ordinator.

The modules are 10 or 11 weeks long. Some modules have breaks at half term but not all do, so please check with the module tutor at the start of the module.

Distance Learning

On the Distance Learning programme, students join an exisiting programme to focus on one area of special educational needs for each year of study.

The programmes which are currently available are:

  • Speech and Language Difficulties
  • Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
  • Autism (Children)
  • Autism (Adults)
  • Multi-sensory Impairment (Deaf/blind)
  • Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties

Fees and funding

Fees Home/EU 2013-2014

Campus based fees
Home/EU:

  • Code 6399 AdCert full time £1,950
  • Code 5325 BPhil full time £3,900
  • Code 5654 PGCert full time £1,710
  • Code 4401 MA full time £5,130 

Distance learning fees

  • Code 5300 AdCert £2,625
  • Code 5328 BPhil £2,625
  • Code 5330 PGCert £2,385
  • Code 5332 PGDip £2,385
  • Code 5336 MEd £2,385

Fees are based on students studying 60 credits per year on part-time programmes. Students who complete more than 60 credits in a year will be charged an additional fee.

The fees shown above are annual fees for students starting their courses in September 2013. Please note that where courses last more than one year, the annual fees for subsequent years on the course may increase due to inflation.

Fees overseas

Code 6399 AdCert full time £6,070. For all other awardss, please view our Fees for International Students webpage

Learn more about fees and funding

Funding for part-time students

From September 2012, the UK Government will provide non-means tested loans to cover the full cost of part-time tuition for all eligible English resident or non UK EU undergraduates. Find out more about the funding for part-time students.

Scholarships and studentships
Scholarships may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government. More details may be found on the international scholarships page

For further information contact the School directly or the Student Funding Office via online enquiries

Entry requirements

There is only one intake per year at the beginning of the Academic Year (September/ October).

Please refer to the School of Education entry requirements webpage  

English language requirements

In order to undertake the ISEN programme of study, you will need to demonstrate that you have a good level of written and spoken English. You can demonstrate your level of English with IELTS, TOEFL or alternative qualifications. The following link to the English language qualifications page will give you more detailed information about grades you will need.

Alternatively, or in addition, you may want to take and successfully complete one of our English courses for international students courses. 

International students

We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

How to apply

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Apply now

Contact

Michele Pipe, Programme Leader (Campus full and Part time)
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4822
Email: m.c.pipe@bham.ac.uk 

Neil Hall (Distance Learning)
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4841
Email: n.hall.1@bham.ac.uk

Learning and teaching

The programme commences in September. There is a compulsory period of induction to the School of Education and its resources in the first week of the semester. You must be there on the first day of Semester.

Full time campus based

NB The MA Education (ISEN) degree does not qualify you to become a teacher.

The Inclusion and Special Educational Needs (ISEN) programme is available through taught sessions on campus at the University. Studying on campus enables you to work with tutors and other students in an academic environment and to have access to the facilities of the University of Birmingham.

The programme is modular in format to enable flexibility and choice for students.  Each module is worth 20 credits. The academic year comprises of 3 semesters or terms.

  • Autumn/Spring (Semester 1 and 2)
    Teaching takes place during the day or early evening.
  • Summer (Semester 3)
    In the Summer Term full time students work on dissertations. Masters and BPhil students will need to complete a dissertation in an area of ISEN. It is helpful if you have some areas of SEN that you might be interested in studying for your dissertation.  

Distance Learning

The Inclusion and Special Educational Needs (ISEN) programme is available through Distance Learning and is only available to be studied on a part-time basis. Studying by Distance Learning enables you to complete your studies at your own pace and from anywhere in the UK or the world. The ISEN programme is unique in that it enables you to study two distinct specific areas of SEN. Dissertations, in a chosen area of study, are carried out at degree and masters levels. Please note that we require you have at least 2 years professional experience in the areas you wish to study before you can be considered.

Studies can take between 3 – 6 years, depending the level of study and the individual situation of each student, however most Masters level students complete within 3 years. Studying by Distance Learning means that you will be expected to attend Residential study weekends once or twice each year depending upon the specialist area you decide upon. (See under programme dates, below). Currently students who study by Distance Learning have access to Regional tutors as well as University course tutors.

To begin this programme, you will need to choose from the following areas of Special Educational Needs (SEN) for each year of study: 

If you study at BPhil, Postgraduate Diploma or Masters level - at the end of the Year 1 you will transfer to a second specialist area of study from the choice above. 

If further advice is needed regarding choice of specialist areas of study then please contact Neil Hall

Programme Dates
The ISEN programme officially begins in September of each academic year. Most start with a residential weekend, at the University of Birmingham. Some courses have another residential in the Spring. Dates for academic year 2011/12 and for each specialist area Residential weekends are given below. It is important you attend the Residential weekends as they are an important part of the courses. You will meet your tutors and other study group and the cost of the programme reflects the incorporation of the Residential accommodation, meals and visiting speakers. 

Dates for Residential Weekends

Autism: 14 - 16 September 2012 and 19 - 21 April 2013. Lead tutors are Glenys Jones (Children) and Andrea McLeod (Adults)
Severe and Profound Complex Learning Difficulties: 26 - 28 October 2012, 15 - 17 Febraury 2013, 24 - 26 May 2013. Lead tutor is Penny Lacey
Multi Sensory Impairment:  Dates to be advised. Lead tutor is Liz Hodges
SEBD: 5 - 6 October 2012 and 2013 - to be advised. Lead tutor is Neil Hall 
Speech and Language Difficulties: 28 - 31 August 2012. Dates for 2013 to be advised. Lead tutor is Deirdre Martin

Assessment methods

Campus based

At the end of each module there is a 4,000 word assignment for level M and 3,000 for level H. Topics for assessment will enable you to study aspects of the module in depth, as they relate to your own work or interests.

Distance Learning

At the end of each module there is a 4,000 word assignment for level M and 3,000 for level H. The content of the assignment enables you to study aspects of the module in depth and relate this to your own work.

Contact

Michele Pipe, Programme Leader (Campus full and Part time)
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4822
Email: m.c.pipe@bham.ac.uk 

Neil Hall (Distance Learning)
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4841
Email: n.hall.1@bham.ac.uk

Related staff

Employability

The MA Education (ISEN) degree does not qualify you to become a teacher. However, it is ideal for graduates who wish to deepen their knowledge and understanding of special educational needs in educational settings. Upon completion of this course, you will have experience of issues relating to special educational needs which could be applied to a wide range of professional roles.

There is the opportunity to work towards a further professional qualification in the field of Education, which includes progression to a PhD or EdD. The excellent careers advice provided by the programme leader has encouraged many of our graduates to successfully apply for roles working with children and young people with special educational needs. These include: teachers, education advisors, special educational needs coordinators and head teachers in schools and managers of community and charitable organisations.

Contact

Michele Pipe, Programme Leader (Campus full and Part time)
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4822
Email: m.c.pipe@bham.ac.uk 

Neil Hall (Distance Learning)
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4841
Email: n.hall.1@bham.ac.uk