Introduction to the Specialist Qualification in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight

The Specialist Qualification in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (Children and Young People) Graduate Diploma is designed to train students to become Qualified Habilitation Specialists. This program also offers an interim award, the Graduate Certificate in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight, which trains students to become Qualified Habilitation Assistants. The primary focus of the program is to equip students with the skills necessary to support, plan, carry out, supervise, and evaluate the habilitation skills of children and young people (aged 0-25 years) with vision impairments in various settings, including home, public, and educational environments.

Program Overview

The program is suited for individuals who aspire to become habilitation specialists, directing and implementing mobility and independence work with children and young people from birth to 25 years who are blind or visually impaired and may have other needs. It has been developed with the support of the Department for Education (DfE), the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), and Habilitation VI UK, ensuring that it meets the National Occupational Standards for Sensory Services and the Quality Standards for Habilitation.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a first degree or a minimum qualification equivalent to QCF Level 4, plus extensive relevant work experience. English language requirements also apply, with the program requiring an English language level of Level 3. UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are available for international students aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the program vary for UK and international students. For the 2026/27 academic year, the part-time tuition fees are ｣9,650 for UK students and ｣16,850 for international students.

Duration and Study Mode

The program is offered on a part-time basis and spans two academic years. It starts in September, and applications are accepted from October of the preceding year until June of the year of entry.

Accreditation

The Graduate Diploma in Habilitation is accredited by Habilitation VI UK, as it meets the professional competencies required for Qualified Habilitation Assistants (after the first year) and Qualified Habilitation Specialists (upon full course completion). Registration with Habilitation VI UK is subject to a one-year probationary period after completing the Graduate Diploma.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching on the program is divided between academic and practical competencies. Academic sessions include traditional lectures, flipped classrooms, group discussions, and presentations. Practical skills components involve working under sleepshade/simulation spectacles with a partner or in small groups to learn and practice skills. The program is assessed through written assessments, coursework assignments, practical skill assessments, skill observations, self-videoed practical assessment activities, presentations, placements, and a portfolio matched against the Quality Standards for Habilitation Work with Children and Young People.

Modules

The program includes compulsory modules such as:

• Policy and Practice in Habilitation Studies
• Habilitation in Educational Contexts and the Extended Curriculum
• Habilitation at Home, in Public Contexts and During Transitions
• Habilitation, Professional Practices and the Service Setting: The Extended Assessed Placement
• Habilitation in Practice: Sighted Guide and Pre-Cane Skills
• Habilitation in Practice: Long Cane Skills

Placement

In the second year, students undertake a minimum 20-day extended assessed training/teaching placement in a setting different from their typical working context. This placement is usually structured as one day per week over 20 weeks or two days per week for 10 weeks and may involve travel and subsistence costs.

Accessibility

UCL endeavors to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities. Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble, and further information is available from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and Funding

In addition to tuition fees, students may incur costs for transport, accommodation, and subsistence during placements. There are no specific funding schemes for this program, but some students are sponsored by their employers. The program is ineligible for student loans, but comprehensive information on funding opportunities available at UCL can be found on the Scholarships and Funding website.

Employability

Graduates of the program are equipped with the skills and knowledge to work as Qualified Habilitation Assistants, Qualified Habilitation Professionals, and Heads of Service in various settings, including local authorities, schools, and charities. They are capable of supporting and developing the habilitation (mobility, orientation, and independence) of children and young people who are blind or partially sighted, and many go on to mentor current students and offer placements to support their practical and professional development.

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