The 2015 Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (DfE/DoH) specifies that all teachers must be seen as teachers of pupils with SEN and take responsibility for the progress of all learners in their class.

With an estimated 20 per cent of our young people in school with special educational needs, it is important for teachers to have access to current research and to develop their understanding and confidence in this area.

The MA in Special Educational Needs is designed to critically engage with current thinking and ideas about inclusive and specialist education.

It will allow you to develop your knowledge of specific learning difficulties, and to become a reflective practitioner who is able to use research to inform your own practice.

This course will give you a firm grounding in understanding a range of special needs across a variety of age groups. Subjects include autism, dyslexia, social and emotional mental health issues, inclusion and leadership in SEN.

There is a focus on collaborative learning, building on the strength of shared experience, knowledge and expertise. During taught sessions, you will be encouraged to interact with your fellow professionals, allowing you to explore theory and practice.

Group activities also help you to develop your ideas through discussion with others before your approach the assessment tasks.

Each module is supported by a virtual learning environment (VLE), where you can access key readings, additional materials and use the discussion board.

In addition to weekly lectures, you have access to the module tutor via email or in face-to-face tutorials. Our tutors have all worked professionally to a high level in the field, and have experience in supporting participants from a wide range of professional contexts and backgrounds.

Each module encourages you to link your developing knowledge and understanding to your own professional context. Professional learning is further developed through the Research and Methodology module, which prepares you to write a 14 000 word dissertation.

To complete the dissertation, you will carry out small-scale research within an educational setting. You can link theory and current research to an area of interest, which allows you to reflect on your own practice and plan for change.

Who will teach on this course

Louise Arnold

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

You will develop detailed knowledge of specific special needs, including autism, dyslexia and social and emotional mental-health issues.

Throughout the course, you will be supported to develop a critical understanding of theory alongside the practical knowledge you will gain.

You will be encouraged to make links between theory and your own practice, and become a reflective practitioner who is able to think proactively and strategically about provision for pupils with special and additional learning needs.

These skills include knowledge of theories, legislation, policy and practice, computer literacy, planning and time management and written communication.

It will also demonstrate your ability to design and carry out small-scale research and to engage in critical thinking.

The skills and knowledge developed on this course will allow those working in teaching to gain expertise in the increasingly sought after area of special needs.

However, this course could also support your career in areas such as therapy, support work, social work, educational psychology and work with adults with additional needs.

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal