Inclusion and Special Needs Education

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 6.26 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 17.8 k / Year(s) Deadline: Aug 1, 2024
200 place StudyQA ranking:4731 Duration:1 year

As contemporary societies become more heterogeneous, and as inclusive education reforms gain currency across the world, educational systems are being challenged to address some fundamental questions about teaching - learning related to the accommodation of difference. Likewise, the educational special needs task is being radically re-conceptualised. Meeting the diversity of learner needs within today's classrooms and schools is one of the most challenging and important tasks facing education today.

Drawing on research-based practice, this programme addresses these challenges in a straightforward, supportive and practical way. It aims to develop forms of teaching that reach out to all learners within a class, as well as the establishment of school conditions that will encourage such developments.

This MEd will be of interest to: primary and secondary teachers from the newly qualified phase of professional development onwards; and individuals whose professional or voluntary roles are strongly associated with life in regular classrooms and schools, eg School Governors, Learning and Behaviour Mentors and Classroom Assistants.

On successful completion students will have:

  • familiarity with a range of current issues in special/additional needs education and an insight into the implications of these issues
  • a high level of critical understanding of the theory and practice of contemporary inclusive and special/additional needs education, and of inclusive pedagogy
  • a comprehensive understanding of exclusion and the relationship between educational special needs and equity issues and contemporary thinking in the fields of dyslexia and literacy difficulties plus strategic leadership skills for inclusion
  • a comprehensive understanding of school reform for inclusion
  • designed and evaluated small-scale, real-world research related to inclusion and special needs education

WHY QUEEN'S?

Flexibility: this programme is designed to meet the needs of professionals and is delivered via blended learning (a mixture of face-to-face and online learning). Diploma and Certificate options are also available, please see the School website.

Credit transfer: students who have completed other masters-level awards, eg PGCE, within the last 10 years are eligible to credit transfer. The credit transfer application must be submitted at the same time as the online programme application as retrospective applications are not accepted.

In order to be awarded the MEd, students must successfully complete six taught modules (120 CATS) and a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation. Students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules or a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.

Modules include: An Introduction to Research Methods: Children, Young People and Education (compulsory, online) Reimagining Special Needs Education: Inclusive Pedagogy Special Needs Education and Issues of Equity The Intellectual Foundations of Special Education Optional modules may be chosen from the School's Educational Studies (MEd) degree. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

A 2.1 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject discipline. Applicants with a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University may also be considered if they have at least two years of professional experience in an education, training or relevant context.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes. Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this programme, our partner INTO Queen's University Belfastoffers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability to entry to this programme. Please click the links below for more information:

  • English for University Study - an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English - a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English

Applicants from the UK and other EU countries
Please note: Where it states 'UK residents' qualifying residency and citizenship/nationality criteria apply.

* Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) Postgraduate Research Studentships

Funded by the Department of Employment and Learning, these are offered in most subject areas.

UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only

* DEL (CAST) Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology

These awards are for specific research projects in collaboration with an industrial sponsor in the following Schools/areas: Biomedical Sciences in School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences; School of Biological Sciences; School of Pharmacy; School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering; School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and the School of Mathematics and Physics.

UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only

A CAST studentship may also include a contribution from the industrial collaborating body.

Visit the School websites listed above for details concerning potential DEL CAST

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Awards are available for both Masters and Doctoral degrees in humanities subject areas.

Applicants should apply via Queen's for funding and should not apply directly to AHRC.

UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only

Queen's School Funding Opportunities

Some Schools have funding available for postgraduate PhD or taught Masters courses.

North-South Postgraduate Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students undertaking a recognised Masters or the first year of a PhD programme (taught or research) in the other Irish jurisdiction.

Applicants from outside the EU
If you are applying to Queen's from outside the EU, you are advised to explore fully the funding opportunities for studying in the UK available from sources in your own country. Some closing dates are as early as a year before commencing studies, so please make sure to apply in good time.

Some of the main awards are listed:

Department for International Development (DFID) Shared Scholarship Scheme

This award is for specific one-year taught postgraduate courses. The award cover tuition fees, a maintenance grant and travel costs. Only students from developing Commonwealth countries are eligible to apply.

British Chevening Awards

* The Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds a number of British Chevening scholaships for postgraduate study, mainly for one-year taught Masters degrees.
* Candidates must apply directly to the University for admission before applying for a Chevening Scholarship. Contact the British Embassy, British High Commission or British Council Office in your own country.

Applicants from USA
If you are a US citizen, you are eligible to apply for the following awards tenable at Queen's

George J Mitchell Scholarships

Fulbright Scholarships

Mary McNeill Scholarship (for US and Canadian citizens undertaking MA Irish Studies

Similar programs:
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 10 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 21.7 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jul 28, 2024 16 place StudyQA ranking: 5427
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 3.41 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 10.6 k / Year(s)
178 place StudyQA ranking: 4814
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 12.4 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 24.5 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jul 28, 2024 16 place StudyQA ranking: 3829
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 10 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 4.96 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Aug 18, 2024 16 place StudyQA ranking: 6296
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 6.82 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 13.6 k / Year(s)
Deadline: May 31, 2024 6 place StudyQA ranking: 5266
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 14.8 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 25 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Nov 18, 2024 1 place StudyQA ranking: 4535