Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties (Online) MA / PGCert

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

• Full membership of Patoss
• Associate member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA)
• Associate of the Dyslexia Guild (ADG)

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

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.

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.

• 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 in-depth 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.

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.

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 or a Presessional English course.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL iBT taken before January 2026: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• TOEFL iBT taken from January 2026: 4.5 Overall with no less than 4.5 in any 2 skills and 4 in the other two skills
• 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

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term.  Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

Please note that to complete the Identification and assessment of Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)/dyslexia module you will need access to a range of specialist tests and assessments used in the diagnosis of dyslexia. The combined cost of these materials is approximately £3,000. These assessments must be purchased—and retained—by students. In some cases, workplaces may agree to purchase the materials on behalf of the student.

Note that prices vary from year to year, and the University is not liable for any increases or decreases in the cost of test materials, as pricing is set by external publishers.

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.

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 have 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.

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.

If you are applying for the MA (Dyslexia & Literacy Difficulties) then please begin your personal statement with the wording so that we can filter your application:

‘I wish to be considered for the MA (Dyslexia & Literacy Difficulties)’.

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.

Your careers toolkit

Gain skills, confidence and experiences ready for the world of work with your dedicated careers toolkit. With Careers Network, your dedicated careers service, and the variety of opportunities available at Birmingham, you can build your own toolkit of skills and experiences to get you ready for an ever-changing world after graduation.

Your careers toolkit connects you with the opportunities, support and experiences across the university, including:

• Careers support services and Careers Network
• Work experience and placements
• Enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Alumni and employer connections
• Global opportunities and life experience
• Careers in the curriculum

From application through to graduation, we will support you throughout your exciting online learning journey. As one of the largest providers of distance learning in the UK, we offer you a prestigious online education that matches the on-campus experience, taught by our same expert professors and lecturers.