MA

SEN/ALN (Additional Learning Needs)

Encouraging greater understanding and a critical appreciation of the trends and developments in SEN/ALN and disability provision across schools and relevant settings.

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Key Course Details

  • Start Date

    May

Fees

  • 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.

The MA SEN/ALN (Additional Learning Needs) course is for those working with children or young people whose development is affected by difficulties in learning or by behaviour.

DESIGNED FOR

Those working in education but also those working in health, such as speech and language therapists and occupational therapists..

Career Paths

  • Speech and Language Therapist
  • Education
  • Health Service
  • Occupational Therapist

Skills taught

  • Evaluation
  • Research
  • Analysis
  • Project planning and communication
  • Creative problem solving

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

This SEN/ALN course runs on Monday and Tuesday evenings, 5-8pm at Newport City campus.

Modules are normally assessed by a written assignment of 5,000 words.

Teaching staff

  • Amanda Kelland, award leader

Placements

Those who undertake the SpLD modules, with a view to gaining accreditation from the British Dyslexia Association, will undertake a specialist teaching practice. For other students, there may be opportunities to link with specialist settings on a voluntary basis.

Careers and Employability

Possible career paths

An Additional Learning Needs qualification demonstrates that you have developed advanced level skills in analysis, evaluation and research.

If you are interested in the possibility of gaining a higher degree by research, your tutors will be pleased to discuss the opportunities at the University of South Wales.

Careers support

The University’s Career Services offers a range of advice and guidance to students, and references to the services available to all listed at southwales.ac.uk/careers will be added to the course website by default. However, if there are other important course or subject specific initiatives run at local a level, there is an opportunity to add further details here. Whether this includes connecting with professionals, industry experts or mentors, or strategies to enhance their competitiveness and aspirations in the job market, further details will provide prospects with the confidence, encouragement, and motivation to commit to applying. 

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.

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.

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.