Masters in Leading Inclusive Education

Developing inclusive education practice to support the needs of all learners is one of the most important challenges facing education professionals today.

The Masters in Leading Inclusive Education is an exciting, new distance-learning pathway for education professionals, from all phases and settings, who wish to progress into leadership roles or to develop their leadership skills, in the crucial area of inclusion.

This practice-led and flexible Middlesex University programme and qualification offer an alternative to, and routes on from, current NCTL leadership qualifications and the National Award for SEN Coordination.

It has been developed and is delivered and assessed by Middlesex University, in partnership with us. It is also quality assured by Middlesex University.

It is open to graduate professionals working in any educational setting – early years, schools, specialist settings, FE colleges, and universities – in the UK and internationally.

• Develop the skills and confidence to lead inclusive practice in your setting.
• Enhance practical leadership strategies.
• Receive high-quality support from experienced tutors.
• Access a wealth of academic research, interactive materials, and resources, including a free electronic textbook for every module.
• Build a professional network within your setting through collaboration and discussion with other delegates.
• Utilise an exceptional virtual learning environment that allows you to study from anywhere. 

Book your place on our part-time programme and create a pathway that suits you. Modules are worth from 30 to 60 credits each. You need 180 (level 7) credits to obtain your MA, which should be 60 credits per year, over 3 years. Postgraduate Certificates and Postgraduate Diplomas are also available if you are not looking to complete the full Masters qualification. 

Contact us if you wish to transfer Masters-level (M-level) credits from another institution.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT – Enrolment on this course is currently suspended

Enrolment on this course is currently suspended Middlesex University and Real Training are currently reviewing this programme for re-validation. We are therefore no longer accepting enrolments. Delegates who have already joined the programme will continue to be fully supported by Middlesex University and Real Training to complete their studies.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@realgroup.co.uk or on +44(0)1273 35 8080.

Add real value to your educational setting

• Bring expertise in setting 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.

Develop real competence

• Use efficient and effective online learning with embedded activities that relate to actual case studies.
• Take part in a 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.
• Develop a confident 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.

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.
• Work at a time and pace that suits you.
• Take part in a flexible module that draws 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 our sophisticated online learning platform and utilise the latest technologies: video and multimedia content, case studies and problem-based scenarios, directed reading, structured learning logs, online discussion, online questionnaires, peer evaluation, student forum, and webinars (with tutors and guest lecturers).

Take MA modules in your own time and pace

• Modules are either 30 or 60 credits.
• We offer an unrivaled range of follow-on, practice-led courses that count towards your MA.
• You can exit with a PG Cert (60 credits), PG Dip (120 credits), or the full MA (180 credits)

Connect with your peers

• Obtain exclusive access to Campus Online^TM.
• Interact with your peers using our advanced learning platform and our unique student forum.

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.
• Work with a learning coach, professional tutor, and received dedicated support from the tutor team — made up of experienced SENCOs/SEN consultants/educational psychologists (EPs).

Our SENCOs and EPs know the education sector inside out.

Choose a start date that suits you

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT – Enrolment on this course is currently suspended

Enrolment on this course is currently suspended Middlesex University and Real Training are currently reviewing this programme for re-validation. We are therefore no longer accepting enrolments. Delegates who have already joined the programme will continue to be fully supported by Middlesex University and Real Training to complete their studies.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@realgroup.co.uk or on +44(0)1273 35 8080.

Compulsory first module

The leadership of inclusive practice (30 or 60 credits, depending on prior learning credits)

• How can you inspire, encourage and support others to develop inclusive practice in your setting?
• What does the latest research tell you about leadership styles and structures and how to harness them effectively?
• How do your own leadership skills stand up in the light of the latest thinking and research?

Optional modules (choose two from the list)

1. Gender and sexuality (30 credits)

• How diverse is your curriculum with respect to gender and sexuality?
• Do those engaged with learners in your setting appreciate the significance of socially constructed frameworks on those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex?

2. Communities and culture (30 credits)

• What are culture, identity and community?
• Where does one begin and the other end?
• What are the strategies that can be used in a modern educational setting to promote inclusion while respecting and valuing difference?

3. Social, emotional, and mental health difficulties (30 credits)

• Bring your practice up-to-date with the latest thinking and emerging trends in working with children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.
• Understand specific difficulties such as self-harm, anxiety, depressions, and eating disorders.
• Recognise the significance of social, emotional and mental health difficulties and their relationship to mental health theories about risk and resilience.

4. Learning Differences (30 credits)

• Develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of learning needs.
• Focus on needs that may be particularly relevant to your setting, in relation to learning differences such as gifted and talented, literacy difficulties, language difficulties, physical and sensory needs, and autism spectrum conditions.

5. Learning conversations, coaching, and mentoring (30 credits)

• Become well-grounded in coaching and mentoring skills.
• Develop key leadership tools to support and develop colleagues and build capacity within your setting.

Compulsory final module

Enquiry-based inclusive practice (60 credits)

This 60-credit module completes the Leading Inclusive Education MA programme, brings together what you have learned, and enables you to apply your skills to develop, implement, and evaluate an intervention in your setting. 

Please note

The Leadership of Inclusive Practice module and final Enquiry-based Inclusive Practice module are both mandatory on the MA LIE programme in order to obtain a PGCert, PGDip or MA LIE.

In some circumstances, the LOIP may be partially or fully replaced by recognised prior learning (RPL), please contact us if you have any questions regarding RPL.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Transfer of credit for the National Award for SEN Coordination

The National Award for SEN Coordination closely matches the learning outcomes of the Leadership of Inclusive Practice 60 credit module. All those who have completed the National Award for SEN Coordination in the last 5 years will be given APL for the 60 credit Leadership of Inclusive Practice module.

Transfer of credit for the International Award for SEN Coordination 

Delegates who have completed the International Award for SEN Coordination (iSENCO) course with Real Training will be able to transfer these 60 credits onto the MALIE programme and given APL for the 60 credit Leadership of Inclusive Practice module.

Should you wish to obtain a PGDip you would need to select two 30-credit optional modules.

Should you wish to obtain The Masters in Leading Inclusive Education you would also need to complete the mandatory Enquiry-based Inclusive Practice module.

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.
• Final tutor evaluation of competence, based on activity submissions.

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 develop your professional knowledge and understanding through practice — it’s the best way to learn.
• Campus Online^TM will support you with content that complements your learning every step of the way.
• Study with some of the finest practitioners around and engage with outstanding content and practical activities that truly enhance your professional development.

Do you have an undergraduate degree?

To join the Leading Inclusive Education MA, you will need to hold one.

Already working in an education setting?

You will get the most out of this MA if you work in an education setting with children, young people or adults.

Or do you require access to an education setting?

You will need to get written permission from a senior member of staff to regularly access a setting. We will show you the best way to do this, enabling you to carry out our learning activities in your chosen setting.

As part of this process, you will also need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Visit GOV.UK for more information.

Are you based in an international setting?

This course is available online and can, therefore, be completed anywhere in the world. Please click here for advice on payment options and other information relevant to those studying outside of the UK.

The cost of a Master in Leading Inclusive Education varies.

The typical route of the 60 credit compulsory Leadership of Inclusive Practice module; followed by 2 modules of 30 credits each; and finally, the compulsory Enquiry-based SEND Practice module will cost £7,760+ VAT. 

You can enrol on a lower award of Postgraduate Certificate in Leading Inclusive Education (60 credits – typically £2,580 +VAT), or Postgraduate Diploma in Leading Inclusive Education (120 credits – typically £5,180 +VAT).

You may be able to transfer credit into these programmes, reducing the number of modules you need to study and the overall price. 

Contact us if you wish to transfer Masters-level (M-level) credits from another institution.

To find out the exact cost, click here, select the mandatory Enquiry-based SEND Practice module, followed by the particular modules that you want to build into your MA programme.

Click on the blue ‘Courses and qualifications’ tab at the top of this page to see a complete list. Alternatively, use our ‘Course browser’ to search by interest, goal, or qualification.

Discounts are available on bespoke courses. Call us on +44(0)1273 358080 to register your interest.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT – Enrolment on this course is currently suspended

Enrolment on this course is currently suspended Middlesex University and Real Training are currently reviewing this programme for re-validation. We are therefore no longer accepting enrolments. Delegates who have already joined the programme will continue to be fully supported by Middlesex University and Real Training to complete their studies.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@realgroup.co.uk or on +44(0)1273 35 8080.

Our Programme Prospectus will provide you with additional information on M-level practice-led learning modules in Leading Inclusive Education.