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MA

SEN/ALN (Additional Learning Needs)

Gain a deeper understanding of Special Educational Needs and Additional Learning Needs, exploring current trends, policies and practices in inclusive education.

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Key Course Details

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Newport

  • Campus Code

    C

Fees

  • Home students

    £10,800*

  • International students

    £16,900*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Newport

  • Campus Code

    C

Fees

  • Home students

    £1,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
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Equip yourself with evolving approaches and practices to disability and support, preparing you to make a meaningful impact across schools and other learning environments.

DESIGNED FOR

Educators, health professionals (including speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists), and trainers working in both public and private sectors. It’s perfect for those interested in SEN/ALN across all educational stages, from early years to higher education, or those looking to become consultants on policy or practice.

Career Paths

  • Additional Learning Needs Coordinators  
  • Educational leadership
  • Speech and Language Therapist
  • Teaching
  • Occupational Therapist

Skills taught

  • Planning appropriate support for learners with SEN/ALN
  • Research
  • Critical thinking
  • Creative problem solving
  • Academic writing and analysis

Course Highlights

Expert teaching team

Your teaching team brings real-world experience from the SEN/ALN sector and are active researchers shaping SEN/ALN policy and practice across the UK and internationally.

Accessible schedule

Evening face-to-face teaching is designed to fit around your schedule, making it easier to balance your current work commitments or professional experience alongside your studies.

Global and local contexts

Explore SEN/ALN through both UK and international perspectives—broadening your understanding of inclusive education across different cultures and systems.

Tailor your learning

Choose from a wide range of modules to tailor your learning depending on your current career path and future aspirations.

Module Overview

Our SEN/ALN course offers an in-depth focus on contemporary perspectives of SEN/ALN, learning disabilities and inclusive practice together with the opportunity to widen students’ theoretical understanding through research and evaluation within their respective professional roles.

Autistic Spectrum
This explores theory, policy and practice in relation to all aspects of autism

Dyslexia Theory and Assessment and Working with Dyslexia: Linking Theory, Assessment and Practice
Both modules are externally accredited by the British Dyslexia Association at either an approved teacher/practitioner (ATS/APS) level or the associated membership (AMBDA) level. They are ideal for those who are working with children, young people or adults with specific learning difficulties and want a recognised qualification in this field.

Leading and Managing SEN/ALN
Designed for educational practitioners who have or aspire to the role of SENCo./ALNCo. The module is designed to equip students with a better understanding of the theory and practice relating to the varied and challenging skills required of the SENCo/ALNCo. in order to respond to the changing landscape of SEN / ALN.

Course Highlights

How you’ll learn

The course can be taken full time or part time and is taught through twilight sessions, held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from 5–7:30pm (part time students are in once a week, whereas full time students are in twice a week). You’ll have access to a wide choice of modules, all taught face-to-face with plenty of support and materials provided. Sessions blend informal lectures, group discussions, and practical activities such as using audiovisual material and integrating study skills.

You’ll also develop key skills in library research, data analysis, and working with electronic systems. Throughout, there’s an emphasis on finding and presenting good quality information, with opportunities to demonstrate ideas and practices that will directly enhance your professional skills and practice. All modules are assessed via coursework, meaning there are no exams to complete.

Teaching staff

Your teaching staff bring extensive experience to the course, with many having held senior roles as Special Needs Coordinators and leaders in both schools and further education colleges, in the UK and internationally. They’re actively involved in research across Wales, the UK, and internationally. You’ll also benefit from their expertise in consultancy projects with the Welsh Government, national bodies, and international organisations, ensuring you learn from professionals at the forefront of the field. Your teaching team will also invite guest speakers to the classroom from a range of professional backgrounds, offering fresh insights and real-world perspectives.

Placements

The schedule of this course offers an excellent opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the field. For those not already working in education, our teaching team has a wide range of connections, including with teaching supply organisations, giving you the chance to apply for placements across various settings. Work placements are highly encouraged, as they allow you to gain hands-on experience during the day while attending evening sessions for your studies. You will also have the chance to take part in various conferences throughout the course. The USW Careers Service is available to assist with finding placements and providing support with CV writing or interviews.

Facilities

Studying at our Newport campus means you'll have access to fantastic facilities designed for collaboration, research and private study. From modern learning hubs to well-equipped IT suites and an extensive library, everything you need will be at your fingertips. There is also a dedicated education librarian and online databases to support your literature research. Bookable study rooms, the Learning Centre and Advice Zone are also all accessible during your time at USW. Study skills, mental health, finance and careers support are all available online.

Careers and Employability

Graduate Careers

This course can help you take the next step in your career—whether that means progressing in your current role, moving into leadership positions, or specialising further in SEN/ALN and inclusive education. Many graduates go on to become Learning Needs Coordinators or pursue a PGCE to become fully qualified teachers with expertise in supporting learners with additional needs in schools, FE colleges and other settings.

Possible career paths

Graduates of this course pursue a wide range of career pathways within education, health, and support services. You might move into roles such as SEN/ALN specialist, inclusion coordinator, education consultant, or trainer within schools, colleges, or external organisations. The course also provides a strong foundation for further study or research in inclusive education.

Careers support

The USW careers service will help you discover your career possibilities both during and after your degree. You’ll have access to support, development and guidance on CV writing, completing applications, mastering interviews and navigating the recruitment process. As a USW student you’ll also be able to attend skills workshops, employer sessions, and careers fairs, connecting with new employers, enhancing your skills, and boosting your confidence.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Typical qualification requirements:

A good first degree is preferred but experience is greatly valued.

Additional requirements include:

Full-time and part-time students choosing modules which have a placement component as part of the assessment process, will need to provide evidence of a current enhanced DBS check (or its equivalent if you are an EU or international student).

Full-time students wishing to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the internship scheme will also need to provide evidence of a current enhanced DBS check (or its equivalent if you are an EU or international student).

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£10,800

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,900

per year*
UK Part-time Fee

£1,200

per 20 credits*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Busaries Alumni Discount

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

* Obligatory

Student Associate Scheme

This associate scheme is designed for professionals who wish to apply to the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) for Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) and an Assessment Practicing Certificate (APC).

Working with Dyslexia: Linking Theory, Assessment and Practice (AMBDA)

University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND MOTIVATION I RECEIVED FROM THE VERY BEGINNING PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN HELPING ME ACHIEVE DISTINCTIONS IN ALL MY MODULES.

Rumana Ismail

MA SEN/ALN Graduate

THE RESEARCH SKILLS ACQUIRED AND DEVELOPED ON THIS COURSE ARE INVALUABLE FOR ANYONE WORKING IN EDUCATION.

Catherine

MA SEN/ALN Graduate

Studying at USW

Our courses are designed with industry leaders and provide the practical skills and experiences industry demands. Our flexible courses reflect the need for life-long learning. If you value education in practice, not just in theory, then USW is for you.

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Postgraduate fees and funding
University of South Wales Newport Campus.
Newport Campus
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Postgraduate Open Events

How to apply

There is an online application process for this course. Please choose the application form for your preferred start date and mode of study (i.e. full-time or part-time).

International admissions

Please see our international admissions advice for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

Related Courses

SEN/ALN (Autism) - MA Learn more
Leadership and Management (Education) - MA Learn more
Education (Wales) - MA Learn more

Next Steps

How to Apply
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