Main details
Course overview
Module options
Our academics
Entry requirements
Fees & funding
Scholarships
Facilities
Future prospects
Next steps

Postgraduate Taught

Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion

A young child wearing an apron playing in a table sand pit

An education student in a classroom with a colourful wall display behind her

A female student teacher leans over the should of a primary school child working at a desk

A PGCE teaching student working with two children on placement at Swanland Primary School

This specialised MA focuses on tackling marginalisation and removing barriers to learning, to create fairer education for all.

You’ll graduate as an inclusive education specialist with the ability to be a positive force in improving educational inclusivity.

You’ll explore the latest educational practices and build practical and critical thinking skills.

Learn how to create inclusive classrooms, materials and strategies.

Want to remove barriers to learning and promote fair educational experiences for everyone?

If you’re passionate about understanding and addressing marginalisation within educational settings, this specialised Masters is for you.

You’ll learn how to create materials, strategies, and approaches that accommodate all students, including those with special educational needs, the travelling community, individuals from challenging backgrounds, and ethnic minorities.

The choice is yours to study one year full-time or two years part-time.

Learn from experts

in diversity and inclusion
Broaden

your understanding of inclusion
Blend policy,

theoretical and practical perspectives
Tackle

theoretical and practical perspectives
Complete

a project on a topic you're passionate about

Swipe

Course overview

Module options

About this course

This course will help you become a specialist in inclusive education, honing your critical thinking skills, research knowledge, and ability to create more inclusive learning environments.

You'll get to explore how education works around the world and you’ll dive into inclusive education principles and the challenges they come with. It’s all about making sure that every student matters equally.

Tackle the latest research methods in education and learn how to solve real-world problems by working together with your peers. Learn how to create inclusive classrooms and how to collaborate with different people, suggest changes, and be a positive force for making education better for everyone.

You’ll end your Masters with a research project on a topic you care about. You'll have support from your tutors and peers to help you succeed. This hands-on experience will also give you skills you can use in your future career or further studies.

We offer modules in both the daytime and evenings, so you can find a pattern of delivery that fits with your other commitments, whether you are working, volunteering or studying full time. In 2024-25 you can choose evening modules from: Coaching and Mentoring, Early Childhood, Leadership and Management or Social Justice and Community Engagement as well as the mandatory modules shared by all pathways.

A student teacher in a shirt and tie working with a group of pupils at Kelvin School

A selection of colourful masks made by schoolchildren spread across a table

A secondary school student sat at a table in a marketing workshop with post-it notes

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Contemporary and Critical Issues in Education: Theory, Policy and Context

This module forms an essential component of your Masters programme. It supports the development of key skills necessary for study at Level 7 including the development of core and essential skills relating to critical reflection and critical analysis, alongside an introduction to critical theory. It allows engagement with issues relating to specialist areas relevant to your programme of study, whilst also opening up avenues for broader exploration. Drawing on diverse perspectives from a range of global contexts it ensures that education is explored across broad and diverse perspectives.

Core•30 credits

Debating Special and Inclusive Education: Implications for Pedagogy and Practice

This module provides underpinning knowledge about the key principles of inclusive education and will enable you to consider the challenges that can be faced in its implementation. Coupled with the second specialist module in this programme it will help you to consider how you might bring about change so that all ‘learners matter and matter equally’.

Core•30 credits

Research Methodologies (Education)

You will explore cutting edge research methodologies used in education, developing your critical understanding of how they can be used to address real world problems. An inquiry-based teaching approach will enable you to work with peers to weigh the merits of each in terms of their suitability for particular contexts and issues.

Core•30 credits

Educators as Agents of Change for Inclusive Education

This module will give you an introduction to ideas about creating conditions that enable all students to learn, how to work with a broad range of stakeholders to develop inclusive practice and propose changes for inclusive education in educational settings. It is built on the premise that all learners matter and matter equally. It will enable you to consider yourself as an agent for change, developing relevant professional and leadership capabilities.

Core•30 credits

Extended Research Project (Education)

This module provides you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge and research skills in the field of education. Supported via dedicated course tutors, your dissertation supervisor and high-quality workshops and online content, you will undertake an independent research project on a topic related to your programme of study. This will allow you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and gain an understanding of conducting and reporting on research. This module will help you develop key transferable skills for both the workplace and further study.

Core•60 credits

5 Modules

Our academics

You'll benefit from the outstanding support of staff who are experienced education practitioners. 

Our research is driven by the belief that education can challenge inequalities and injustices in society, and seeks social and educational change to enhance fairness, equity and social justice. 

See more academics for this subject

Featured academic

Dr Tricia Shaw

Tricia, a senior lecturer in Education Studies here at Hull, is currently the Director of the Doctoral College. She previously served as a primary school teacher and SENCO, ensuring support and inclusive education for children with SEND.

Featured academic

Gwadabe Kurawa

Gwadabe is the Pathway Lead for MA in Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion. His teaching covers equality, diversity and inclusion in education, and international and intercultural perspectives.

Entry requirements

UK
International

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in relevant subject area

Additional entry requirements for this course

If your degree is not in a related subject area and you have evidence of relevant professional experience, we still welcome your application.

This degree is for anyone who is interested in Education in its widest sense; it will not qualify you to teach.

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in relevant subject area

Additional entry requirements for this course

If your degree is not in a related subject area and you have evidence of relevant professional experience, we still welcome your application.

This degree is for anyone who is interested in Education in its widest sense; it will not qualify you to teach.

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

UK
International

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
Optional field trips
Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
Student visas (international students)
Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
Printing and photocopying
Professional-body membership
Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
Optional field trips
Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
Student visas (international students)
Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
Printing and photocopying
Professional-body membership
Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 25% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Education Lecture Room

Study the theory in our lecture rooms – before considering practical application in real-life settings.

Brynmor Jones Library

Our seven-story library is a superb learning space. As well as more than a million books, there’s a variety of study areas, over 400 open-access PCs and one amazing view. 

Group Lecture Room

Collaborate in group lecture rooms working as part of our vibrant community of students and staff who all share an interest in developing excellent learning opportunities for others. 

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Future prospects

As an MA student, you'll be exploring all the latest educational practices and digging deep into important issues that shape the field. Remember, you won't just be building your knowledge, you'll also develop practical skills that will make you a valuable contributor to your chosen learning community.

On earning your MA in Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion, you might find your calling as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, a Pastoral Care Officer, a Community Engagement Officer, a Young People's Wellbeing Practitioner, or a Youth Worker.

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

Apply now

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more

Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion

About this course

Choose your modules

Contemporary and Critical Issues in Education: Theory, Policy and Context