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Inclusion and Special Needs Education (MEd)

Special needs education arises in the context of the compulsory schooling of all children. In schools the expression, special educational needs, is intended to relate to how best to deal with expressions of diversity associated with learning and disability - where learning is understood in its widest sense to cover social and emotional as well as cognitive issues. Arguably, meeting special educational needs in the context of ordinary schools and classrooms is one of the most important challenges facing education today.

Not only important and challenging, but also extremely exciting. As contemporary societies become more heterogeneous, educational systems are being challenged to address some fundamental questions about teaching-learning related to the accommodation of difference. As inclusive education reforms gain currency across the developing world, the educational special needs task is being radically re-conceptualised.

Aims - This pathway aims to improve educational practice for children and young people.

Study our Masters Modules as Short Courses

We understand the many demands on your time so we've made it easy to study for a Masters module as a short course*. Classes are in the evening, at the weekend or online.  We'll store your results, just in case you want to work towards a qualification such as the Advanced Certificate in Education (60 credits) or the Diploma of Advanced Study in Education (DASE, 120 credits).

*if you complete only one module you will earn a Certificate of Attendance.

Applicants interested in studying for a short course for personal or professional development should contact the Education Secretary (tel: 028 9097 5923, education@qub.ac.uk).

Course Information
Modules
Objectives
Exit Routes
Course Tutor: Dr Ron Smith
Closing date: 31 May 2013
CATS: 180 credit points at M level
120 credit points at M level for DASE
Part time: 3 years up to a maximum of 5
Full time: 1 year,  (normally September 2012 to September 2013).
Fees Part-time (normally 60 Credits per year for 3 years):  £21.78 per credit point but fees change on an annual basis 
Full-time (180 Credits), whole course fee: £3,920
Fees quoted are for Home/ EU students 

International Students should refer to the Universities Student Income and Finance Office for further information on fees.

The award requires the study of the following modules.  These modules are ONLY available to students on other MEd/MSc programmes who fulfil the specific entry requirements above.

Contemporary Policy, Issues and Debates in Inclusion and Special Needs Education  30 M Points 
Understanding Inclusion 30 M Points
Children and Young People in "At-Risk" Circumstances  30 M Points 
Research Methods in Education 30 M Points

 

Full details of modules can be found in the M-level Book of Modules. The MSc/MEd are awarded to those students who have accumulated 180 M Points (including a dissertation equivalent to 60 M points).

On successful completion of the course students will, for example:

  • Have acquired a high level of critical understanding of the theory and practice of contemporary special needs education;
  • Developed knowledge, skills and understanding to advanced and specialist practitioner levels;
  • Have developed confidence and competence (to British Psychological Society Level A standards) in undertaking assessments using ability, attainment and social competence tests;
  • Know how to make pedagogical adaptations that are common to all and specialised for some, and bring about sustainable inclusive organisational contexts;
  • Draw upon current and relevant research to inform practice to design and evaluate small - scale real world enquiries related to inclusion and special needs education.

Students can study within the modular postgraduate programme even if they do not feel able to commit to the full MEd or MSc, with the following 'exit points'.

Advanced Certificate in Education (60 credits at level 7/M)
Diploma in Advanced Study in Education (DASE)  (120 credits at level 7/M)

If you are interested in studying one or two modules on a stand-alone basis for personal or professional development, please contact the Education Secretary (tel: 028 9097 5923, education@qub.ac.uk).

 

 

 

Entrance Requirements and Application Procedure - MEd/ MSc entrance qualifications can be found under further information.  The application procedure can be be found here. 

Specific Entrance Requirements - Applicants should also have a teaching qualification or, if not a teaching qualification, a minimum of one year of experience in a formal role within the school or classroom setting and access to a school and classroom working environment.

For students wishing to take Co-ordinating Support for Learning in 21st Century Modules (EDU7117 and EDU7118) applicants must have a teaching qualification, a minimum of two years of experience in a formal role within the school or classroom setting and access to the school and classroom working environment.

 

Further Information - For general information on applying to and studying at Queen’s and for additional Information for International Students please refer to Further Information.