Special and Inclusive Education MA

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom, Nottingham

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109

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Home/United Kingdom/Nottingham /University of Nottingham/Special and Inclusive Education MA

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom , Nottingham

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 12 month(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 28,600 / year(s)

Next Intake September-2026

Special and Inclusive Education MA

About

Course overview

How can we best support learners who are struggling with learning? What are the complexities of inclusive education in a rapidly changing world? What are the rights of children to be included in schools? How do we address the current barriers to inclusivity?

Throughout the course, you’ll explore the educational needs of children considered to be neurodivergent who are identified with labels including learning difficulties, intellectual impairment, physical and sensory disabilities, autism and SEBD/ADHD. You’ll critically analyse contemporary debates, theory, and research in the field to help you develop effective approaches and structures for supporting your pupils. You'll learn how to work collaboratively with teachers, parents/carers and different agencies, enabling you to make a significant impact on the lives of children.

This programme is ideal for graduates, teachers, or other professionals who are interested in enhancing their knowledge and skills in special and inclusive education. If you have completed the National Award SEN Coordination, you can select modules from this programme to advance to a full MA qualification.

We also offer a distance learning version of this course - MA Special and Inclusive Education (Online).

Alumni profiles

View our alumni profiles to see what they say about their experience of the course.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Undergraduate degree2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent) in education, psychology, teacher training or a caring-related discipline

International and EU equivalentsWe accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.

Work experience

Applicants with a 2:2 degree and three or more years full-time relevant professional experience in education-related positions or a voluntary or caring/support role can be considered.

Applicants with a degree in any other discipline must have relevant work experience in education-related positions or a voluntary or caring/support role.

Voluntary work - evidence of either:

long term volunteering in educational, child-care, or therapeutic settings which brings them into contact with students with learning differences and/or their families. This could constitute a regular but infrequent role, such as working at a youth club including children with special needs once a week for two years.
or
shorter term but more intensive volunteer role such as being a summer camp counsellor on more than one occasion

Additional information

Other requirements

A personal statement is required that demonstrates both a clear understanding of the course and relevant motivation for pursuing studies in special and inclusive education. Please include details of any personal experience of disability yourself or experience that has brought you into contact with other people experiencing support needs for disability or learning where you can demonstrate awareness of issues relevant to educational and social inclusion.

IELTS6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

English language requirementsAs well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Career

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

This course provides a solid grounding for a career and graduates work in a diverse range of jobs including classroom/learning support, special education, coordinating provision for children with special needs, leadership within special education and policy/administration.

The course increases your academic and research skills to support future doctorate level study including, for example, a doctorate in education or educational psychology or PhD in special educational needs.