Home

Special and Inclusive Education (Autism) MA

London, Bloomsbury

This MA will develop students' knowledge of special and inclusive education, focusing on autism. Led by the Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), students will be introduced to cutting-edge theory and research, and consider how it links to policy and practice. This MA will appeal to students looking to develop their professional practice and/or progress to doctoral study.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£12,700
£6,350
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£31,100
£15,550
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024

Applications closed

Find similar courses still open

Entry requirements

A minimum of a lower second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants will also normally have some related professional experience.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting October.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


Students will gain a comprehensive and critical understanding of theory and research relevant to special and inclusive education, as well as its applicability to policy and practice; all with a specific focus on autism as led by the CRAE team. Through a variety of taught sessions, independent activities and group/individual assessments, students on the programme will graduate with a broad range of knowledge, interpersonal contacts, and skills related to the field of inclusive education.

Who this course is for

This programme would appeal to those working within education (e.g., teachers, teaching assistants) who have an interest in working with children, young people or adults with special educational needs and disabilities, especially those who are autistic. We particularly welcome those with personal experience connected to the content of the MA (e.g., whether through being autistic themselves, or as the parent/carer/sibling of someone who is autistic).

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme provides students with the opportunity to engage with the latest theory and research on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), whilst concurrently specialising in autism. Led by academics from the world-leading Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), together with a team of internationally-recognised tutors (researchers, academics, and professionals) from the Department of Psychology and Human Development (PHD), students will benefit from a cutting-edge programme of taught sessions, independent activities and group/individual assessments; all of which will deepen their knowledge, challenge their thinking and enhance their employability. London offers a rich and diverse population so students can focus on neurodiversity within a wide range of individuals and communities.

Students on this MA benefit from a rigorous academic programme. Critical engagement with current research and evidence-informed practice on special and inclusive education (focused on autism) provides a thorough grounding for those new to the field. It also challenges the thinking and deepens the knowledge of those with prior (academic, personal or professional) experience in special and inclusive education and/or autism. Input from a broad range of experts (including autistic people, their parents and their educators) ensures strong relevance to practice and the crucial inclusion of insider expertise.

The programme is designed for national and international students with rich and varied professional and/or personal experiences; offering a valuable opportunity for networking and collaborative learning. At the end of the programme, students are encouraged to join professional learning networks; to continue their personal and professional development and to provide further opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. The programme, along with the diverse range of events and initiatives provided by CRAE, PHD, IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society and UCL, offers a transformative experience for students interested in special and inclusive education (with particular reference to autism).

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Students on this programme can broaden their career horizons within the educational settings in which they work (if applicable) and/or develop skills that can be used in a wide range of careers (within or outside the field of special education). Students will also develop skills in the areas of: personal and time management; oral and written communication; collaborative working; computing and IT; critical and adaptive thinking; problem solving; research and inquiry.

Having the opportunity to work with autistic students and staff on a project to improve their university experience has without doubt been the most interesting thing I’ve been involved with. I met and worked with some really interesting and inspiring people, which wouldn’t have been possible without the ChangeMakers funding we received for the project.

Sam Dexter, Special and Inclusive Education (Autism) MA student

Sam Dexter

Special and Inclusive Education (Autism) MA

Seven Questions with... Sam Dexter

Employability

Graduates could seek future employment in a broad range of areas, for example: senior leaders in mainstream schools, special schools, or other educational settings; and/or directly supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those who are autistic. Graduates may follow pathways within specialist services for children and young people with SEND or SEND charities, including those specialising in autism. Graduates may choose to pursue a research pathway and/or work in Higher Education, or in government and/or policymaking positions, or as consultants.

Networking

The programme team provide enrichment opportunities that relate to the taught content (e.g., optional seminars that focus on academic writing, new research directions in the field, and students' sharing their own practice; career talks from alumni; and local school visits to observe inclusive practices). Students also have access to talks and events in the wider department, which often involve external speakers. Through these enrichment opportunities, students are able to network with their peers on the programme, tutors, alumni (both home and international), experienced researchers and practitioners.

Teaching and learning

The MA is taught through a combination of face-to-face lectures/seminars, plus online materials and lectures, group discussions, small group and/or one-to-one tutorials.

Compulsory and optional modules are assessed through a range of different assessment types, including written and oral assignments. For some modules students may choose from a selection of assignment titles or may be able to negotiate their own title. In addition, they will be required to write either a report or a dissertation in their final year of the programme.

Contact hours are module dependent, but each 30-credit module will equate to 300 hours of study time. Each module will include contact with faculty via a range of forums (e.g., individual tuition, whole/small group lectures/seminars, online materials on the learning platform Moodle).

Modules

Over the course of a year full-time students undertake either three compulsory modules (Concepts and Contexts of Special and Inclusive Education, Research Design and Methodology, and Autism Research and Practice), one optional module in the areas of autism (or, with permission, special and inclusive education more broadly) and a dissertation or three compulsory modules, two optional modules and a report. Please note that the compulsory module 'Concepts and Contexts of Special and Inclusive Education' will change its name to 'Concepts and Contexts of Inclusive Education' from 2024/25 onwards.

Part-time students undertake two compulsory modules (Concepts and Contexts of Special and Inclusive Education, Autism Research and Practice) and one optional module in the area of autism in the first year (90 credits) and in the second year a second compulsory module (Research Design and Methodology) and a dissertation or a second compulsory module, an optional module and a report (90 credits). Please note that the compulsory module 'Concepts and Contexts of Special and Inclusive Education' will change its name to 'Concepts and Contexts of Inclusive Education' from 2024/25 onwards.

Flexible modular students must complete the programme between 2 to 5 years. Students must take the compulsory module Concepts and Contexts of Special and Inclusive Education in their first year of study, followed by the Autism Research and Practice module. Optional modules in the area of autism (or, with permission, special and inclusive education more broadly) can be taken at any point during the remainder of the programme. The Research Design and Methodology module, and either a Dissertation or Report, must be taken in the final year of study. Please note that the compulsory module 'Concepts and Contexts of Special and Inclusive Education' will change its name to 'Concepts and Contexts of Inclusive Education' from 2024/25 onwards.

Compulsory modules







Optional modules




Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MA in Special and Inclusive Education (Autism). Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Special and Inclusive Education (Autism).

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Master's Programmes in Special and Inclusive Education and Specific Learning Difficulties

Do you want to enhance your skills and further your career in special and inclusive education? Our programmes enable you to engage with the latest theory and research on special educational needs and disabilities. We welcome you to book your place at our Virtual Open Event. You will meet our Programme Leaders, hear about the programmes you are interested in and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. These sessions are free and open to all.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £12,700 £6,350
Tuition fees (2024/25) £31,100 £15,550

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in their report or dissertation.

Students are also expected to fund their travel if they wish to attend school visits that are offered as part of the programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024
Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Special and Inclusive Education at graduate level
  • why you want to study Special and Inclusive Education at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

We would additionally like to learn:

  • Why you are interested in following the specialist Autism route and what attracted you to this programme.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Psychology and Human Development
Psychology and Human Development

a.romualdez@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.