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MA Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion (DL)
Students must apply via one of the following online application forms:-
Course starts: 01 October 2025Apply now
Become a specialist in SEND Education. Focus your studying around your own areas of interest within Special Education. Pursue your SEND career through a clear progression route.
The MA in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion (DL) degree is suitable for teachers or other educational professionals around the world who want to progress their career with a highly specialised postgraduate qualification in SEND Education.
This course will allow you to focus on studying the issues around SEND that interest you most. Many of the modules have the flexibility to allow you to focus on areas that will be of use to your professional practice, providing a clear progression route into a career where you can help attain better outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Throughout the degree, you will enhance your research skills at master's level, as well as collaborate with others to develop your own knowledge of Special Educational Needs whilst benefitting from the global perspectives our diverse cohorts bring.
The content of the MA SEND (DL) is delivered entirely through distance learning, providing a flexible way to achieve a master's qualification, whether you're studying in the UK or overseas. Find out more about the benefits of distance learning.
Your progress on the MA SEND (DL) course will be assessed through written assignments, including a 15,000 word Practitioner Enquiry project (or similar), and oral and written presentations. Throughout the degree, you will have one-to-one support from your Personal Academic Tutor.
Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that a master's degree requires a higher level of independent working, which will be supported by group discussions, micro-lectures and support from a team of highly qualified staff.
As this SEND course is delivered via distance learning, you can study it from anywhere in the world that has good internet access, as learning materials will be e-books, online journal papers and other online resources.
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
We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.
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.
Applicants whose first language is not English must achieve a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5, with 6.5 in writing, and no less than 6 in Reading, Speaking and Listening.
The fee for this course is £8,500.
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 (DL) 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. Some of the industries you may be able to go into with this degree include teaching and education, local government, the charity sector, family liaison, advocacy, inclusion support, and teaching assistance. Please note that this course does not qualify you as a teacher.