Inclusive Education degree – MA – Bath Spa University Skip to main content

Award
MA Inclusive Education
School/s
School of Education
Campus or location
Newton Park
Course length
One year full time, or up to five years part time.

Entry requirements

You’ll need a good first degree and will be typically working in an educational setting. Students who have completed the National Award for SENCo are able to accredit their prior learning (APL) towards the MA Inclusive Education.

Please contact our admissions team for more information: admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

Develop expertise in inclusive education at a time of significant educational reform.

  • Develop knowledge and skills in inclusive education and SEN for expert practitioners.
  • Explore the impact of new legislation and policy at a local and national level.
  • Develop your professional practice as a leader within education.

The Master's in Inclusive Education focuses on the issues that concern the inclusion of learners. These include the philosophical, ethical, and legal aspects that can impact the provision of education in different settings.

The concept of inclusion is challenging and wide-ranging, and you'll be given the opportunity to engage critically with the policy and practice of inclusive education, as well as opportunities to develop your knowledge in specialist areas of SEN.

The MA is also ideal for SENCos who have completed the National Award for SENCo and wish to continue their studies. Accredited Prior Learning (APL) is available.

What you'll learn

Overview

Through a combination of taught academic sessions at Master’s level, and self-directed study, you'll gain in-depth knowledge of this field, and how it influences the way students (children, young people, and adults) experience education in various national and international contexts.

Course structure

Contemporary Issues in Inclusive Education
You'll explore how inclusion is exercised in education settings and how you can become agents of change at work by acquiring a deeper understanding of the barriers to inclusion. Taught sessions provide an understanding of the ways in which vulnerability and learners’ additional needs impact on the climate of the classroom and the culture of a school or educational setting.

Identifying and Supporting Learners with SpLD/Dyslexia 1
This module provides an introduction to the theory and practice of teaching learners with SpLD/Dyslexia, with a focus on the key elements of specialist teaching. You'll examine the role of education in contemporary societies, and explore how educational reform is constructed and implemented to deliver social and economic change.

Identifying and Overcoming Difficulties Learning Mathematics
This provides you with an introduction to the theory and practice of teaching learners with difficulties in learning Mathematics.

Assessment Methodology for SpLD/ Dyslexia (AMBDA)
This is a module for students who have completed the PG Cert Dyslexia (ATS) and wish to progress to gain their AMBDA.

SEN and Inclusion: Autism Spectrum (Children)
This module is for teachers, SENCOs, and other professionals working with children and young people on the autism spectrum, and is designed to increase their knowledge of the subject. 

Independent Study
Explore an area of inclusive education which is of interest to you, with tutor support.

Course modules

This course includes or offers the following modules. Please check the programme document for more information on which modules are core, required or optional.

  • Contemporary Issues in Inclusive Education
  • Identifying and Supporting Learners with SpLD/Dyslexia 1
  • Inclusive Teaching and Learning
  • Identifying and Overcoming Difficulties Learning Mathematics
  • SEN and Inclusion: Autism Spectrum
  • Independent Study
  • Research Methods in Social Science
  • Research and the Professional Part 1
  • Research and the Professional Part 2
  • Dissertation.
How will I be assessed?

Assessment takes a range of formats, including a range of written assignments, for example, critical reviews of literature, reflective accounts, presentations, and reflective commentaries. You'll also complete a final Dissertation.

How will I be taught?

The degree is delivered through a variety of workshops, lectures, seminars and practical sessions.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Opportunities

Careers

The MA in Inclusive Education is designed for those who are working in education as teachers or programme leaders, as well as those who wish to learn more about this field and how it influences the way students (children, young people, and adults) experience education in various national and international contexts.

The MA is also ideal for SENCos who have completed the National Award for SENCo and wish to continue their studies.

Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

The course is primarily taught at our Newton Park campus, however, some modules may be held at Corsham Court.

Resources

You'll have access to:

Fees

UK students full time

Please note: Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland are not generally eligible for the UK (Home) fee status. Please refer to the international student rate. Irish citizens and those granted Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are eligible for UK (Home) fee status. There are also other circumstances where this may apply: See UKCISA for more information.

Course fees
2023/24 entry £8,210
UK students part time

Please note: Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland are not generally eligible for the UK (Home) fee status. Please refer to the international student rate. Irish citizens and those granted Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are eligible for UK (Home) fee status. There are also other circumstances where this may apply: See UKCISA for more information.

Fees shown below are for part time study over two years, although some courses may be available over longer periods.

2023/24 ENTRY

Course fees

Year 1 £4,105
Year 2 Published Jan 2024

2024/25 ENTRY

Course fees

Year 1 Published Jan 2024
Year 2 Published Jan 2025

2025/26 ENTRY

Course fees

Year 1 Published Jan 2025
Year 2 Published Jan 2026

 

International students full time
Course fees
2023/24 entry £15,050
2024/25 entry Published Jan 2024
2025/26 entry Published Jan 2025
AMBDA fees

Some students may wish to take the Assessment Methodology for SpLD/Dyslexia (AMBDA) as a standalone module. If you're doing this, the cost for the AMBDA will module will be £1,310.

There is an additional Professional Practice fee for MA Inclusive Education students which also applies for the AMBDA module. The fee amount for this will be £535. 

If you have any questions about fees please email myfinance@bathspa.ac.uk

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

You'll have completed your undergraduate degree in an education related field, ideally with some links to inclusive education. You may be working in an educational setting, or you may be continuing with your studies having just completed your undergraduate degree. You should be interested in inclusion, particularly for learners with SEN, and you should be able to demonstrate a strong drive to improve outcomes for all learners.

Students who have completed the National Award for SENCo or the Postgraduate Certificate in Specific Learning Difficulties / Dyslexia are able to accredit their prior learning (APL) towards the MA Inclusive Education.

If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. The Admissions team assesses applications individually, but for postgraduate courses we're looking for an IELTS score of between 6.0-7.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

Accreditation of Prior certificated Learning (APL) can be offered if you have successfully completed previous Level 7 modules at another university. We accept APL for our PG Dip or Master’s qualifications. As a guide, up to a maximum of 60 credits may be credited towards a Master’s Degree and 60 credits towards a PG Dip. We will require a full transcript from the awarding university.

It is also possible to gain accreditation for other kinds of professional developments by compiling an independent study portfolio of professional development (APEL – Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning). For further information about gaining credits in this way please contact admissions@bathspa.ac.uk

APL only applies if the credits were gained within five years of the start of your MA studies.

If you'd like to apply under this certification with a PG Cert in SENCO or AMBDA, please use the links below: 

Want to apply for this year? 

Many of our postgraduate courses have a limited number of student spaces. To avoid the disappointment of the course being full, we recommend that you apply now.

Late applications (generally those made after 31 July) will only be considered if places remain on the course.

Need more information or still have questions? Contact us to discuss your situation.

Course leader: Helen Curran
Email: h.curran@bathspa.ac.uk

"MA Inclusive Education" is a name revision to the programme currently running as MA Vulnerable Learners and Inclusion."

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