Masters in Autism

• Explore the latest literature, research and knowledge surrounding autism to inform your practice
• Develop confidence working with autistic students
• Take the lead on provision for autistic students within your setting
• Build evidence of designing, implementing and critically evaluating provision for autistic pupils within your setting
• Use this qualification as evidence to support your application to work in specialist provision

The programme will enable you to:

• develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of the history of autism and the emergence of a spectrum of autism conditions
• critically examine the research on autism and demonstrate both knowledge and understanding of its applications and limitations
• develop an enhanced understanding of how the current knowledge of the autism spectrum informs educational policy and practice
• critically examine the research on interventions in the field of autism spectrum conditions through a comparative study
• develop different models of partnership within your setting with an understanding of the place of power and ethics in listening to and understanding children, parents and carers
• undertake a research project which allows you to actively engage with your setting on topic which is relevant to you

Add real value to your educational setting

• Bring expertise in-house and save money.
• Develop practical skills, tutored by experienced professionals.
• Access a wealth of practical resources, academic research and interactive materials to support you.
• Develop your confidence to support the most vulnerable and complex children in your school effectively.
• Start implementing improvements to provision and practice from the start of the course by following our practice-led learning approach.

Develop real competence

• Use efficient and effective online learning with embedded activities that relate to actual case studies.
• Take part in self-paced study time of up to 25 hours based on HCPC proficiency standards.
• Embrace a supportive online community with tutor-supported learning.

Enhance professional expertise

• Demonstrate your competence with confidence.
• Develop a good working knowledge of the law in this area.
• Work effectively alongside families and professionals to support young adults.
• Make a firm contribution to developments and initiatives.
• Build your own knowledge and skills, which you can then share with colleagues and implement across your setting.

Learn on the job

• Harness your day-to-day professional experience and work with your tutor to develop your skills.
• Theories, reflection, and activities will help you to explore aspects of your own and others’ practice.

Engage with flexible e-learning

• Study online and integrate your learning into your working day.
• Fit your studies around work and life commitments
• Take part in engaging modules that draw on a broad range of learning tasks and practical experience.
• Work closely with your peers and dedicated tutors online.
• Experience mentoring and work placements that really complement your learning.
• Access Campus Online, our sophisticated online learning platform which offers the latest technologies: video and multimedia content, case studies and problem-based scenarios, directed reading, structured learning logs, online discussion, online questionnaires, peer evaluation and student forum.
• Attend optional webinars with subject matter experts. These are recorded and uploaded for you to access at a later date if you aren’t able to attend live.

Study modules in your own time and pace

• Benefit from total flexibility for your studies. There aren’t any live sessions so you won’t need to interrupt your working schedule or arrange cover.
• Access your course materials anytime, as long as you have a good internet connection.
• There aren’t any internal assessment deadlines (just a final submission point), so you can organise your workload according to professional and personal commitments.
• Choose to book for just one module initially, or map out your entire programme, it’s up to you. 

Connect with your peers

• Interact with your peers using our advanced learning platform and our unique student forum.
• Share best practice and seek advice from your peers and tutors online.

We will ensure that you never feel lonely or unsupported in your studies.

Liaise with experienced tutors

• Enjoy dedicated specialist support from a broad range of experienced tutors, many of whom are working in educational settings so are familiar with the challenges you face.
• Work with a learning coach, professional tutor and received dedicated support from the tutor team — made up of experienced SENCOs, SEN consultants, school leaders and educational psychologists (EPs).

Choose a start date that suits you!

Cohorts begin in January, May, or September.

The next cohort begins on 15 May 2024. Book and enrol before 15 May 2024 to join our next cohort.

This programme is suitable for a wide range of roles, however we would recommend this option to those working as a SENCO, a Specialist Teacher, a class/subject teacher or a Teaching Assistant with a degree looking to understand more about – and potentially specialise in – Autism.

Choose from our core, recommended and optional modules to achieve the required number of credits for your chosen qualification.

• To achieve a Postgraduate Certificate in SEND and Inclusion: Autism, you’ll need to gain 60 credits
• To achieve a Postgraduate Diploma in SEND and Inclusion: Autism, you’ll need to gain 120 credits
• To achieve the Master of Education in SEND and Inclusion: Autism, you’ll need to gain 180 credits

Explore our modules

The Masters in Autism comprises core modules and recommended modules which focus on topics relating to working with students with autism. There is flexibility in the programme for you to choose modules from another area of interest, in place of the recommended modules, if you wish. For all exit awards from the Autism programme, delegates will need to complete the following two core modules:

• Autism Spectrum Conditions (30 credits)
• Evidence and Pedagogy for Inclusion (30 credits) – with a focus on autism

For the PGDip and MEd, you will need to achieve 120 credits. 60 of these credits will come from the two core modules listed above. For the other 60 credits, we recommend Further Studies in Autism (60 credits). You can however also choose from the optional modules listed below.

To complete the full MEd, the Enquiry-Based Practice (60 credits) needs to be your final module and your chosen research project for this module must have an autism focus.

Optional modules, which can be chosen instead of one or more recommended modules

• Auditing and Leading Improvement (60 credits)
• Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (30 credits)
• Certificate in Psychometric Testing, Assessment and Access Arrangements (30 credits)
• Cognition and Learning (30 credits)
• Cross-Cultural Issues in SEND (30 credits)
• Dyslexia – Leadership and Intervention (30 credits)
• Dyslexia – Professional Report Writing (30 credits)
• Enhancing Assessment Practice (30 credits) – coming September 2024
• Gender and Sexuality (30 credits) – coming September 2024
• International Award in SEN Coordination (iSENCO) (60 credits)
• Leadership of Inclusive Practice (30 credits) (requires 30 credits RPL from a leadership NPQ) – coming September 2024
• Leadership of Inclusive Practice (60 credits) – coming September 2024
• Learning Conversations, Mentoring and Coaching (30 credits)
• Mathematical Understanding and Teaching Methods (30 credits)
• Maths Teaching and Dynamic Assessment (30 credits) – coming January 2025
• Migration and Language Acquisition (30 credits) – coming September 2024
• National Award in SEN Coordination (NASENCO) (60 credits)
• Psychology for Education (30 credits)
• Senior Mental Health Leadership Advanced Award (30 credits)
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (30 credits)
• Speech, Language and Communication Needs (30 credits)

Our courses are delivered through Campus Online, our unique provision for online learning.

Campus Online allows you to study at your own pace, without the need to travel, or commit to particular dates or times. Log in to access your study materials, contact your personal tutor for support, connect and network with other delegates and make use of the extensive resource library.

You can easily track your progress throughout the course and submit your work and evidence of assignments for feedback.

You will need to produce:

• Pre- and post-course self-assessment of skills, knowledge, and confidence.
• Continuous self-evaluation via questionnaires.
• Written contributions to collaborative discussion.
• Activities and submissions which will be evaluated by your tutor.
• Written case studies, projects, reflections and critiques related to the topic of your chosen module. 

Where indicated by your tutor, you may submit multimedia resources that you have produced within your applied practice as part of your final portfolio of evidence.

• You will need to hold an undergraduate degree to study the Masters in Autism.
• You will need to be working in an educational setting for this programme. If you aren’t currently working in an educational setting you will need written permission from a senior member of staff to regularly access a setting.

Please note: Some of our modules have specific eligibility requirements. Please check the course pages for more information.

Are you based in an international setting?

This programme is available online and can therefore be completed anywhere in the world. The programme content is designed and written with both UK and international settings in mind.

Please click here for advice on payment options and other information relevant to those studying outside of the UK.

We offer a flexible range of fees to suit your finances. Please refer to the module pages to see the cost of each individual module.

The cost of a PGCert with Real Training (made up of 60 credits) varies, typically you could expect it to cost between £2,495 + VAT and £2,990 + VAT.

The cost of a PGDip with Real Training (made up of 120 credits) varies. Typically, two 30 credit modules and one 60 credit module will cost approximately £5,485 + VAT.

The cost of a Master of Education in Autism (MEd SEND and Inclusion: Autism) with Real Training (made up of 180 credits) varies. Typically, two 30 credit modules, and two 60 credit modules – including the obligatory Enquiry-Based Practice module – will cost £7,980 + VAT.

To find out the exact cost, visit the module pages linked above.

Speak to us on +44 (0)1273 358080 or make a booking.

Cohorts begin in January, May, or September.

The next cohort begins on 15 May 2024. Book and enrol before 15 May 2024 to join our next cohort.

As it takes time to process your application and payment, we strongly recommend that you register as soon as possible, so that you don’t miss the next intake.

Please note, this programme is currently subject to approval.

It depends. Most delegates tend to complete the programme within 3-5 years. It usually takes a year to complete a module, however some delegates will choose to study 2 modules at a time. It also depends if a delegate has existing credits that they can bring into the programme.

Delegates may be able to bring in credits they have achieved with another provider. If you think this could apply to you, find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning.

You are able to take breaks between the modules if need be, however, as long as you return to complete the programme within 5 years, your credits will remain valid.

We offer a number of Masters programmes, enabling you to develop specialist skills in SEND, pastoral care or leadership:

• Masters in Educational Assessment
• Masters in Inclusive Educational Leadership
• Masters in Pastoral Care
• Masters in SEND and Inclusion