Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion MA

Become a specialist in SEND Education. Deepen your knowledge. Expand your career options.

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Overview

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.

Why us?

Graduate with the increased potential to develop your career
Carry forward 60 credits from a University of Sunderland PGCE to our MA and enjoy both the academic and financial benefits of continuing your studying
Learn from a dedicated and expert team in this field

Benefit from the flexibility to pursue your own interests in the area of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Carry out research which is specific to your own workplace

Course structure

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 will have one-to-one support from academic staff.

Compared to an undergraduate course, you will 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 have 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 have met a range of learning outcomes in relation to SEND in order to be transferred to this course.

Course modules

Core modules:

Research Methods in Education (30 credits)

Explore the principles and practice of conducting educational research, including research design, research paradigms, data collection, management and analysis, as well as the politics and ethics involved in educational research. Develop your own research knowledge and ability, through engaging with a variety of relevant critical literature. Consider a range of approaches to educational research through case studies of current and recent research projects.

Introduction to Criticality (30 credits)

Grow your knowledge of critical thinking and explore the importance of this in the broader context of education. Develop skills in self-assessment, mental flexibility, creativity, interpretation and argument. Draw on various theoretical approaches that can then be applied to very different educational contexts.

MA Thesis or Practice-Based Enquiry Project (60 credits)

Complete a substantial piece of research within your chosen field of study or professional practice, with the support of an allocated supervisor. Gain an in-depth understanding of your specialist area by answering a research question, the proposal for which will have been examined in the Research Methods in Education module.

Optional modules:

Inclusive Education: From Policy to Practice (30 credits)

Examine a selection of ideological standpoints in relation to the inclusive education of a range of learners. Investigate the background to current inclusion debates, contextualised within the current legislative framework. Discuss a range of issues pertaining to inclusive education and, in particular, how the concept of ‘Inclusion’ is conceptualised.

Supporting Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (30 credits)

Explore the impact of supporting and working with children, young people, families and stakeholders in the area of social, emotional and mental health. Examine models of mental health and wellbeing in relation to diagnosis and treatment directions, and the impact on life outcomes. Undertake a critical examination of the rights and needs of children with SEMH difficulties, including childhood adversity, and the impact of school policies and procedures in supporting participation and learning and preventing school exclusion.

Gender and Diversity (30 credits)

Explore the concept of gender diversity in relation to inclusive and representative education for all pupils- including transgender and cisgender children. Learn about gender diversity and develop the reflective and analytical ability to be adaptive and flexible in response to a dynamic and fast evolving field. Develop contemporary knowledge of the topic, as well as the skills to foster an inclusive, representative and supportive pedagogical approach and learning environment for all students.

Causes and Implications of Barriers to Learning for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (30 credits)

Critically explore the cause of the barriers to learning that SEND needs can engender, including the impact of Government policy, adverse childhood experiences and day-to-day practice within a range of health, education and care contexts. Examine the impact of evidence-based staff knowledge, understanding and skills and the importance of prompt identification and assessment of SEND. Consider the importance of co-production with caregivers, learners with SEND and professional organisations to improve participation and outcomes across the life-course.

Approaches to Learning for Learners with Special and Additional Needs (30 credits)

Consider the breadth of approaches to learning available for pupils with special and/or additional needs. Focus on behaviourist and child-centred approaches, communication and learning. Explore the issues of learning for those who are traditionally identified as having special needs, but also for those who have additional needs, for example EAL, Gifted and Talented and Looked After Children.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article

More about MA in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion at Sunderland

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You can access free Wi-Fi throughout the University campus, so you can work from anywhere. If you don't want to carry a laptop around, just use one of the University’s PCs or Macs. We have hundreds of computers for you to use in the Murray Library, St Peter's Library, and the David Goldman Informatics Centre. If you ever have any technical problems, just ask the friendly helpdesk team.
IT provision
University library services will be central to your study experience and are delivered at our two libraries on campus, as well as online. Our libraries offer a variety of study environments to meet your needs, including areas for groupwork, individual and silent study. You’ll also have access to desktop PCs, space to use your own mobile technology and printing facilities.

The library works closely with academic staff within each faculty to offer specialist, industry standard resources in your subject discipline. The Faculty of Education provides thousands of relevant books and e-books, with many more titles available through the inter-library loan service. You’ll also have access to a comprehensive range of print and electronic journals which are always kept up to date, including the EBSCO Professional Development Collection, Community Care Inform, JSTOR and many more.

To find out more information, visit our University Library website.
Library Services - education
Map and directions

Facilities

You'll be based at the recently refurbished Wearside View, situated on the award-winning Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. This stunning riverside location benefits from dedicated library services and has superb transport links with the city centre and City Campus.

Entry requirements

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.

Language requirements need to be met 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.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

Fees are:

£7,500 if you're from the UK/Europe*
£16,500 if you're an international student

Part-time fees are £445 per 10 credits. Please note that part-time courses aren't 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).

*European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who don't qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 24/25 admission, you'll receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies. The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's by night

Career ready

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.

Centre for Pedagogy

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.

Meet the students

I'll always remember the support I received; my Programme Leader is the kindest person I've met.

Eleftheria Dispiraki
I would highly recommend the University to other students, as I have felt right at home.

Harriet Behan
The Gender and Diversity module has equipped me with skills directly applicable to my role.

Heather Morris

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Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Education and Society.

Page last updated: 05 March 2024

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.