Explore pedagogy, practice, and policy related to special education needs and disabilities to support and develop your practice with a postgraduate qualification in SEND.
- Apply your learning to practical situations within your own setting, using your knowledge to drive effective change in inclusive SEND provision and practice.
- Advance your professional skills and expertise in SEND through the development of a research culture.
- Study this degree in person at St Mary's University or through the blended or online options.
- Access our staff expertise and supervisory support and our strong links to practising professionals in the field of SEND.
This course develops a systematic understanding of knowledge related to SEND through critical engagement with theory and practice.
This course is relevant to anyone involved in teaching and learning wishing to advance their knowledge, practice, and pedagogy in the field of special educational needs and disability (SEND).
You will develop a depth of understanding of a range of SEND across all phases of compulsory education. There will be opportunities to focus on an area of choice (such as autism, sensory impairment, and speech, language, and communication). The dissertation in particular allows you to research in depth an area of your own interest.
You will be introduced to seminal and cutting-edge theory and research and consider how this links to current policy and practice. You will also be encouraged to consider wider concepts of inclusion and leadership in SEND.
Throughout the course you will deepen your pedagogical understanding as a reflective practitioner who is able to use research to inform their own practice.
You can study face-to-face, online or a mix of the two. Blended study combines elements of online learning with intensive face-to-face learning on study days or twilight sessions.
For MA Education, distance learning is where students engage with lectures, alongside students on site, at set times through video conferencing.
This will allow you to fit your studies around your current commitments, regardless of your location.
Education degrees in London
This degree is one pathway from within our Education Master's programme, which includes:
Matthew Dell
Course Lead - MA Education
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Course content
Modules
The modules listed are the modules that were available to students in the 2023/24 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2024/25.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
Entry requirements
2:2
Previous degree
You will normally be expected to possess a good honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or an equivalent qualification approved by the University.
St Mary's is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and nurturing an inclusive and diverse student population. As such, we welcome applications from all those interested in pursuing an academic programme of study. Throughout the application process and while a student is enrolled at St Mary's, we will ensure that individuals will not be discriminated against based on any of the characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010.
Additional requirement information
Experience of working in an educational setting or a relevant professional interest is also required.
Accredited prior learning
Applicants with up to 90 Level 7 credits (for example from a PGCE, National Professional Qualification or National SENCo Award) are eligible to apply for exemption from up to three modules.
International Requirements
International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section.
We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.
Fees & funding
September 2025
Home
£9,240
International
£17,820
Funding Information
Distance-learning fees
If you are studying the programme at distance, your fees may differ slightly:
- Home: £9,240
- International: £11,910
Additional costs
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme. Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.
For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.
Alumni discount
A 20% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.
Funding
You can check on the UK government website to see if you may be eligible for a loan of up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate programme.
Home and international students may also be eligible for external sources of funding. International students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.
For more information, please look at our postgraduate funding page.
How the degree is taught
Assessment methods
Learning is assessed through a variety of methods:
- reflective journals
- research proposals
- essays
- case studies
- portfolios
- seminar and conference presentations.
Career opportunities
Our SEND degree supports your long-term career development. You will learn to contribute to strategic development and leadership of SEND at a classroom or whole-school level. You will also develop your confidence and ability to articulate an argument.
A high proportion of past students achieve internal or external promotion to middle and senior educational leadership positions.
Apply now
September 2025
Distance-learning 2025
Make sure to check our step-by-step guide to application process.
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