Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion MA
Inspire. Lead. Transform. Join a community of passionate professionals shaping the future of education and enhancing the life chances of children, young people, and adults with our Master of Arts in Education Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion.
Subject to revalidation
Overview
| Course length: | 1 year full-time 2 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2026 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University |
| Example offers: | 2:2 or above (or equivalent) in a related subject View full entry criteria |
| Subject(s): | Education and Teaching |
| Faculty: | Education |
| Department: | Secondary and Further Education |
Our MA Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion is designed for education professionals interested in enhancing life chances in diverse settings, this flexible and forward-thinking programme combines academic excellence with real-world impact. You’ll be empowered to create classrooms, communities, and futures where every learner belongs.
At Edge Hill, you’ll be supported by internationally known research-active staff, bringing together academic excellence and real-world insight. Every module is informed by the latest educational developments, ensuring what you learn is both current and career-relevant.
You’ll explore some of the most pressing issues facing education today ,from neurodiversity and social and emotional wellbeing to inclusive educational practice. Through a rich blend of theory, research, and hands-on application, you’ll learn how to translate new ideas into practical strategies that make a real impact in classrooms, workplaces, and communities.
We know flexibility matters, so you can choose to study full-time or part-time, fitting your studies around your work and personal life. Along the way, you’ll have opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, building networks and presenting further learning opportunities.
Whether you’re looking to advance your career, transition into leadership, or deepen your professional practice, the MA in Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion provides you with the tools, confidence, and insight to make a lasting difference.
Course features
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International students can apply
What you'll study
Each module on the MA Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion is designed to help you think critically, act compassionately, and lead with confidence in the ever-evolving field of inclusive education. You’ll build a deep understanding of the issues shaping today’s classrooms and communities, from the theory and policy that underpin inclusive practice to the lived experiences of learners with diverse needs.
Throughout the programme, you will cover the following modules:
- Understanding Special Educational Needs, Disabilities, and Inclusion (30 credits)
- Neurodiversity and Inclusive Education (30 credits)
- Policy and Practice in Inclusive Education (30 credits)
- Researching Education (30 credits)
- Real World Research and Impact in Education (60 credits)
How you'll study
The programme is available full-time and part-time. You will learn in various ways, including through lectures, workshops, group discussions, interactive learning technologies, and independent study tasks. You will be also be supported to complete your assessments through dedicated assessment preparation activities. Where appropriate, you will also benefit from engaging with industry partners and undertaking applied research projects which address real-world problems in your areas of interest.
How you'll be assessed
You will be assessed in various ways, including written coursework, presentations, portfolios, and reports.
Who will be teaching you
The programme is delivered by internationally-recognised research active staff who are experts in their field. Our staff also work closely with external partners in education and related sectors in local to global settings.
Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.
Entry criteria
An undergraduate degree (normally a 2.2 or above) in a field related to education or an equivalent qualification acceptable to Edge Hill University. Applicants, who come from a different academic background, which is equivalent to degree level, or have 2 or more years of relevant work experience, are welcome to apply. Or a Masters degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
English language requirements
You are expected to have English language proficiency minimally equivalent to overall 6.5 with no element below 6.0.
How to apply
Application links will be added when available.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
There’s plenty of opportunities to come take a look around campus. Attend one of our open days to see what life at Edge Hill University is all about.
Book an open day
Facilities
The Faculty of Education enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of transformative education, training and research for the teaching and education workforce. Housed in a state-of-the-art £9m building, the Faculty of Education enjoys a stunning setting from both its lakeside and piazza buildings.
Facilities in the lakeside building include a 300-seat lecture theatre, five well-equipped ICT suites, and 18 teaching rooms complete with the latest technology.
Our nearby piazza building houses our Research Hub and our Secondary and Further Education department including a lecture theatre and a number of seminar rooms.
If you choose to study at Holy Cross College and University Centre in Bury. You’ll be taught by Edge Hill lecturers and staff, and have access to a range of modern facilities, including recent building upgrades and refurbishments. There’s a range of study spaces and a coffee shop where you can relax before lectures. Holy Cross is especially proud of their library, IT facilities, modern classrooms and meeting rooms in the Mary Kelly building where the face-to-face sessions will take place.
Where you'll study
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,250
for the course
UK Part-Time
£51 per credit
for 180 credits
International
£18,000
for the course
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students joining postgraduate courses at Edge Hill University.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please see our EU student finance page for further details.
Tuition fees
International
£18,000
for the course
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Your future career
By studying this programme, you will be well-prepared for a wide range of professional roles in the education sector and beyond. The degree also provides a strong foundation for those wishing to progress to undertake further research, doctoral study, or pursue careers in international education and consultancy.
Course changes
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.
Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
