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Become a specialist in SEND Education. Deepen your knowledge. Expand your career options.
Our MA in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion is a highly flexible degree that enables you to specialise in studying issues around Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities in a way that suits you.
This SEND course is ideal for teachers or other educational professionals who want to develop their careers with a highly specific postgraduate SEND degree.
The course provides a clear progression route into careers where you can help achieve better outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Throughout the degree you will develop your ability to interpret, understand and conduct research at master's level, as well as collaborate with others to form and debate your own understanding of SEND.
Your progress on the MA SEND degree will be assessed through written assignments, including an MA Thesis or Practitioner Enquiry project. The assignments are written flexibly to allow you to focus on your areas of interest within your assessed work. Throughout your end of course research project, you'll have one-to-one support from academic staff.
Compared to an undergraduate course, you'll find that a master's degree requires a higher level of independent working.
When you complete the MA SEND, your optional modules may be taught on-campus (one evening per week) or via a hybrid learning approach.
If you've studied modules at master's level previously, e.g. through a PGCE or NASENCO award, then you may be able to transfer some of these credits to the MA SEND course. The credits must be less than five years old and must demonstrate that you've met a range of learning outcomes in relation to SEND in order to be transferred to this course.
Studying for a master's degree in education will equip you with an abundance of valuable skills and knowledge relevant to the field, but how can gaining this postgraduate qualification help your career? Find out more about the MA Education courses we offer, as well as discover what jobs you can go into and how you can progress within your current role in education.
Find out more about MA Education degrees
Are you thinking of becoming a special needs teacher? Here we’re exploring all about what Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) means in an educational context, including what you need to become a special needs teacher or Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).
Learn all about what it's like to become a SEND teacher
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| a Canadian bachelor's degree | GPA 2.40 |
| a USA bachelor's degree | GPA 2.5 |
If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
We usually require applicants to hold at least a Second Class Honours degree (usually a 2:1) or equivalent.
We also expect you to have experience of working in education; this may be as a teacher or in another capacity in the field of education. A recognised teaching qualification is desirable, but not essential. If you've previously studied a PGCE with us, you can transfer 60 credits over to this master's course.
If your first language isn't English, you must achieve a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent before your application is assessed for the next stage of the selection process and an offer letter is issued.
After 6 April 2015, you must take your IELTS exams at one of the test centres listed on the UKVI website. If you took your IELTS exam before 6 April 2015, this doesn't apply, and your qualification is still valid regardless of which test centre you used.
Fees are:
Part-time fees are £500 per 10 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK. International students wishing to study a part-time MA Education course may be interested in MA International Education (Distance Learning).
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
The MA SEND degree is ideal for teachers and people working in educational management who want to quickly progress their careers in a wide variety of occupations in educational settings. If you are already working in a relevant field, you will graduate with enhanced potential for progression professionally.
The knowledge and skills you develop will also transfer to many other sectors, particularly education policy and government. Please note that this course does not qualify you as a teacher.
The University of Sunderland’s Centre for Pedagogy has three research themes, including Affective Issues in Learning and Teaching; Pedagogy and Critical Thinking in Specific Subject Areas; and Professional Education and Development. The Centre unifies the University’s research, influences policy and organises conferences and professorial lectures.
I'll always remember the support I received; my Programme Leader is the kindest person I've met.
I would highly recommend the University to other students, as I have felt right at home.
The Gender and Diversity module has equipped me with skills directly applicable to my role.
