Special Educational Needs and Inclusion MA

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Special Educational Needs and Inclusion MA

Key Facts

Level

Master'sPG MA
Duration

1 year full time
2 years part time
Starting

January, September

Fees UK 24/25 >

Full Time: £8,250
Part Time: £4,140 per 90 credits
Fees International 24/25 >

Full Time: £16,995
Location >

Waterside

Updated 17/12/2024

Apply Now Open Days

Updated 17/12/2024

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

Overview

The MA Special Educational Needs and Inclusion programme is for those wishing to deepen their knowledge, practice and professional skills in the fields of Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion. The SEN masters programme equips you with skills for application in various professional contexts. The rich curriculum is a strength of our programme; content draws upon the most recent evidenced-based practices and policies for inclusion and issues of debate nationally and internationally.

The Masters in Special Education is made up of modules which help you to critically reflect on debates relating to inclusive practice in a variety of settings and contexts. You will be able to choose from a selection of optional modules so you can study what interests you most.

We also offer this special needs education masters with our overseas partner in Thailand at Village International Education Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.

Highlights

The masters in special educational needs and inclusion has a highly experienced and supportive teaching team who have a variety of teaching and research experiences, locally, nationally and internationally, which are embedded into the learning experience.
Modules are relevant to those working, or have aspirations of working, in services or settings which support individuals with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.
The Subject Area has a strong reputation for research in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. As a result, there are opportunities to pursue your research interests towards a PhD.

Aerial view of University of Northampton, Waterside campus featuring multiple modern buildings, a river, and surrounding greenery and open fields. Car parks and residential areas are visible in the background.

Waterside campus has everything students needs from: Learning Hub featuring 24/7 library, Creative Hub, on-site shop, restaurant, cafes and food outlets, multi-faith chaplaincy, student village hall, Students' Union and more. With only a short walk over the bridge into the town centre.

Internal view of the Learning Hub, showing barriers towards elevators and in the background the student information desk. There is a large clock on the wall. A person is walking through the spacious lobby.

The Learning Hub and Student Information Desk would be a student's first point of call when needing support.

Two floors of the Learning Hub library, showing a spacious, modern interior with rows of bookshelves, a mezzanine level, and several students studying on couches and tables below.

Our library covers three floors of the Learning Hub, with IT rich learning environments, including silent and group study spaces, physical books. Don't forget there are plenty more resources available online!

University of Northampton Student Information Desk area with digital screens, staff computers, and a sign reading

The Student Information Desk is the first place a student should go if they need any help. Here the team can direct you to academic support, mental health support, financial support, IT support, and more.

Spacious modern building lobby, the Learning Hub, with high ceilings, circular ceiling panels, staircase, and staff and students working at yellow seating areas.

The Learning Hub is where every student will go for library support and classes, as well as food outlets and social events.

External view of the Learning Hub, with large windows and vertical pillars housing, adjacent to a green lawn with benches and an outdoor seating area with an umbrella.

The Learning Hub also has lots of outdoor space for meeting with friends or finding some silent time between classes.

External view of the Learning Hub at the University of Northampton. The building features large glass windows, metal panelling, and pavements.

The Learning Hub is the biggest building on campus, home to our Student Information Desk, 24/7 library, teaching spaces, cafes, and more.

External view of Senate building at the University of Northampton, which is a modern building with cream features and grey roads surrounding it.

The big and spacious modern Senate building has various types of learning spaces, teaching rooms, our Bloomberg suite, Morley Room lecture hall, and cafes.

Entry Requirements

Applicants for the MA SEN degree will possess one of the following:

Good honours Degree of a UK University. Or,
Good honours Degree from a recognised University other than in the UK. Or,
QTS or equivalent. Applicants working in children’s services without QTS with an ordinary degree or Early Years Teacher Status or QTLS will be considered. Or,
Applicants who have recent professional experience of three years or more will be positively considered. In this case the applicants will be interviewed and must demonstrate suitability for the course by providing: portfolio evidence of significant professional engagement in education or services for children at graduate equivalent level and/or a piece of written text. This portfolio sets out details of the relevant career pathway of the candidate, including a summary of their specific responsibilities relating to children & young people in schools or other settings. Or,
Applicants who have achieved level 7 credits undertaken on a UK accredited initial teacher education programme will be eligible to join the MA SEN & Inclusion with a maximum of 60 credits if applicants are able to demonstrate that their level 7 credits focussed upon an SEN specialism and was achieved recently. Or,
Applicants who have achieved level 7 credits on the Postgraduate Certificate Special Educational Needs (SEN) Coordination will be eligible to join the MA SEN & Inclusion with a maximum of 60 credits.

For more information on how to make an application for the masters in special educational needs and inclusion, please visit our How to Apply page.

If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 overall (or equivalent)
  with a score no lower than 6.0 for writing and no remaining band/component below 5.5 for study at postgraduate level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

Upcoming Open Days

Open Days give you the best experience and insight to courses, people and facilities that interest you. Make your choice easier and come meet us.

Course Content

This special educational needs masters course has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG4 Quality Education.

All of the modules are equivalent to 30 Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points, apart from the Research Thesis (EDUM100) which is 60 CATS points and is compulsory if you are studying for the MA. This module includes taught aspects of research methods as well as an independent piece of research.

Module information can be found on the Award Map.
How will I learn on the special educational needs MA?

All of the teaching for this SEN masters course is in small group format, such as seminars and workshops, enabling you to engage in discussion and debate. This course is taught as interactive sessions, with a focus on active engagement and discussion.

You will also be able to attend research seminars, day courses and other university activities. Underpinning all of what we teach is the linking of theory and practice, allowing you to critically reflect on work-based issues, concerns and developments.

What will my schedule look like?

For this MA in special educational needs and inclusion, taught study is typically three hours per week, per module. Teaching on-campus tends to be in the evenings (5 – 8pm). We also recommend that you spend 10 hours per week, per module in self-directed study time.

Students studying in Thailand will have block classes up to four days with additional online support and activities.

The PG Certificate involves two 30 credits modules and typically takes one year.

The PG Diploma involves four 30 credits modules and typically takes one year full-time or two years part-time.

The MA will entail completing four 30 credits modules and the Research Thesis (EDUM100) and takes typically one year full-time or between two and four years part-time.

How will I be assessed on the MA SEN Degree?

Our assessment procedures are flexible and work around your personal interests and professional workloads. Assessment is usually in the form of essays, case studies, portfolios, presentations, reports and research projects.

Student Story

"I was able to experience a healthier person-centred means of learning that equipped me with a level of confidence in my strengths and abilities like never before."

- Isabella Ugwumba -

Read Isabella's story

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted for the special educational needs masters relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

UK – Full Time: £8,500
UK – Part Time: £4,250 per 90 credits year one and £4,250 year 2*
International – Full Time: £17,495

*may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2025. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.
If you are starting a postgraduate Master’s course in 2025/26 either full-time or part-time* you may be able to apply for a postgraduate Master’s loan through Student Finance England.

*Please note that the maximum period of study allowed for part-time courses is two years. Please note to be eligible for a postgraduate loan you must be studying the full 180 credits.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted for the special educational needs masters relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £8,250
- UK – Part Time: £4,140 per 90 credits year one and £4,140 year 2*
- International – Full Time: £16,995
*may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.