level:PG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:September, January;location:Waterside
Special Educational Needs and Inclusion (Autism Pathway) MA
Key Facts
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Duration
1 year full time
2 years part time -
Level
Master'sPG MA
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Full Time: £8,700
Part Time: £4,351.50 per 90 credits -
Full Time: £19,000
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Updated 04/08/2026
Overview
This course will help you to develop your knowledge and skills in the field of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion, specialising in the autism spectrum, including Asperger syndrome. This specialist pathway is ideal for professionals working in early years, primary or secondary schools, further and higher education, voluntary sector, advisory roles, and residential settings. You can also study this course if you have a personal interest, subject to entry requirements.
Special Educational Needs and Inclusion will give you in-depth knowledge and understanding of various aspects related to autism. Our modules will help you to understand autism from the perspective of the individual and the family, focusing on theories that explore the strengths and needs of individuals. In order to help you evaluate best practice, including your own, we will take you through a thorough analysis of evidence-based approaches. Overall, we aim to help you to reduce the barriers that individuals with autism face in education and wider society.
Highlights
- The course has a highly experienced and supportive teaching team who have a variety of teaching and research experiences in autism, 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 autism
- The Subject Area has a strong reputation for research in autism. As a result, there are opportunities to pursue your research interests towards a PhD
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.
The Learning Hub and Student Information Desk would be a student's first point of call when needing support.
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!
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.
The Learning Hub is where every student will go for library support and classes, as well as food outlets and social events.
The Learning Hub also has lots of outdoor space for meeting with friends or finding some silent time between classes.
The Learning Hub is the biggest building on campus, home to our Student Information Desk, 24/7 library, teaching spaces, cafes, and more.
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 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 more information on how to make an application, 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/competent below 5.5 for study at postgraduate level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
Renia's story
“The tutors were really helpful throughout my whole university experience and kindly supported me with the process of writing my essays and my dissertation.”
What You'll Learn
This course has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG4 Quality Education.
The modules undertaken will vary depending upon the selected exit award (PG certificate, diploma, MA). Each module is equivalent to 30 Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points at level 7, except the dissertation which is 60 CATS points. If you want to complete the full MA, you will complete three compulsory modules, an optional module and a research thesis.
Optional Modules
This module provides a structured framework for students to engage in a critical examination of work-based / institutional development and to plan and undertake a small scale project that addresses an identified area for innovation. Students will have the opportunity to explore key concepts related to managing and facilitating change and critically reflect on the factors that impact on successful implementation. This module is based on the individual needs of professionals working with children or adults across a range of settings.
Research Methods
Code: EDUM077
Dissertation
Code: EDUM079
Physical Disabilities: Contexts & Interventions
Code: SENM006
This module examines and analyses the historical, cultural, legislative, philosophical and practical origins of social and educational inclusion within the UK and globally. It includes the critical analysis of approaches used to develop more inclusive environments within settings and organisations and scrutiny of the various challenges which can exist.
The purpose of this module is to examine the nature and possible causes of autism, both from a historical context and by critical analysis of current perspectives, theory and research. The implications of behaviours and the continuumn of needs are examined along with exploration of perspectives of individuals on the autism spectrum, families and professionals.
Promoting Cultural and Linguistic Participation and Inclusion
Code: SENM033
Supporting Individuals with Intellectual Difficulty and/or Complex Needs
Code: SENM034
Understanding the Nature of Literacy Difficulties and Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)
Code: SENM035
This module provides students with opportunities to critically engage with research around adverse childhood experiences affecting attachment and relationships across the life-span, encompassing infant, childhood, adolescent and adult relationships. Individuals? social, emotional, physical and behavioural development is examined including identification, assessment and provision. International, national and regional contexts are considered.
Identifying, Understanding and Co-ordinating Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Provision
Code: SENM044
Leading and Managing Special Educational Needs, Diversity, Inclusion and Equality
Code: SENM045
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 26/27. The modules relating to the academic year 27/28 will be available from June 2027.
How will I learn?
We take an active blended learning approach to this course, providing you with the opportunity to learn in face-to-face and online settings. Your modules will be taught through lectures, seminars, group work, case studies, tutorials and independent study, over three terms.
What is the schedule?For this course, taught study is usually three hours per week, per module. We also recommend that you spend 10 hours per week, per module in self-directed study time.
This course is available to study full-time and part-time with a September start.
The PG Certificate includes two 30 credit modules and takes one year full-time or between one and two years part-time.
The PG Diploma includes four 30 credit modules and takes one year full-time or between two and three years part-time.
The MA will involve completing four 30 credits modules and a dissertation and takes one year full-time or between two and four years part-time.
How will I be assessed?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, reports and research projects.
Can I get hands on experience?There are a number of local and regional services and settings for individuals with autism which you could get involved with during your study.
Fees and Funding
2026/27 Tuition Fees
- Full Time: £8,700
- Part Time: £4,351.50 per 90 credits
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 26/27 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
When assessing an applicant’s eligibility to pay home fees, we use the guidance provided by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) which sets out the regulations that have been decided by the UK Government Department of Education.
- Full Time: £19,000
Tuition fees quoted for International Students apply only to the 2026/27 academic year. These fees may increase in future years in line with Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to reflect rising delivery costs. Any annual increase will be capped at a maximum of 5% of the previous year’s tuition fee. Updated tuition fees will be published on the UON website at least three months before the start of the next academic year.
Additional Information
There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2026. 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 26/27 you may be able to apply for a postgraduate Master’s loan from Student Finance England.
If you have previously studied a PGCE and have APL modules, you will not qualify for a loan from Student Finance England.
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 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.
Staff
Tereza Aidonopoulou
Senior Lecturer in Education (SEN and Inclusion)
Julian Brown
Head of School – Education and Society
Brenna Farrow
Senior Lecturer in Education (SEN and Inclusion)
Korrin Smith-Whitehouse
Senior Lecturer in Education (SEN and Inclusion)
Careers and Employability
If you are already working in the field of autism then the in-depth knowledge you will gain from this programme can help you to improve your practice or apply for management positions. A range of other career options in education, social care and voluntary sectors will be possible, such as being an advocate, learning mentor, or family adviser. For those who want to pursue further post-graduate research there is also a possibility of studying for a PhD.
