Literacy Learning and Literacy Difficulties

This Literacy Learning and Literacy Difficulties MA will provide students with a deeper understanding of the processes involved in learning to read, write and spell, the sources of difficulties, and approaches to intervention.

This programme provides students with the opportunity to draw on the strengths of a team with research expertise in literacy and experience in evaluating early literacy interventions. They will also investigate literacy acquisition and problems in depth, covering reading, writing and spelling.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits) and either a dissertation (60 credits) or a report (30 credits) and an additional elective module (30 credits).

Core modules

There are two core modules and all students should take these to qualify for the MA. The dissertation or report are also compulsory. Both of these modules are taken in year one of the programme

• Research Methods in Literacy
• Literacy Development

Recommended optional modules include:

• Reading and Spelling Difficulties
• Literacy Practice in Writing and Comprehension

Students can also choose one or two optional Master's level modules from across the IOE offering.

Dissertation/report

All students submit either a 20,000-word dissertation (60 credits) or a report (30 credits).

Teaching and learning

Sessions for all modules are offered face-to-face in the evenings, supplemented by online discussion and reading. Dissertation/report group sessions are also delivered in the evening and are supplemented by one-to-one supervision. All 30-credit modules are assessed via the equivalent of a 4,000-word assignment.

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or overseas qualification of an equivalent standard and preferably some relevant experinece working with children in schools.