Program Overview

MA Special Educational Needs

Overview

The MA Special Educational Needs (SEN) enables students to develop an excellent understanding of special educational needs and disability 'policy practice and provision' in the UK. At the same time, students are given opportunities to consider key concepts pertaining to special educational needs and inclusive education in international and country-specific contexts.

Entry Requirements

We will consider applicants with a minimum 2:2 Honours degree or above in a relevant subject area such as social sciences, humanities, or education. While we normally only consider applicants who meet this criteria, if you are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant teaching experience, we would welcome your application.

Course Content

Our MA in Special Educational Needs enables students to develop an excellent understanding of special educational needs and disability 'policy practice and provision' in the UK. At the same time, students are given opportunities to consider key concepts pertaining to special educational needs and inclusive education in international and country-specific contexts.

Modules

• EFPM914 Education Studies (30 credits)
• EFPM270 SEN: Teaching and Learning (30 credits)
• EFPM919 Critical Perspectives on Inclusive Education (30 credits)
• EFPM200 SoE Success for All (0 credits)
• EFPM308 Preparing for Educational Research and Dissertation (60 credits) or EFPM642 Dissertation Portfolio (60 credits)

Optional Modules

Students choose one of the following modules:

• EFPM294 Technology and Education Futures (30 credits)
• EFPM375 Education for diversity (30 credits)
• EFPM376 Contemporary Sociologies of Education (30 credits)
• EFPM379 Education Placement (30 credits)
• EFPM839 Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Creative Futures (30 credits)
• EFPM907 Creativity in Education: Valuing, Facilitating and Assessing It (30 credits)

Fees

2025/26 entry

• UK fees per year: £10,700 full-time
• International fees per year: £25,300 full-time

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year.

Teaching and Research

Learning methods vary across our wide range of modules and may include lectures, seminars, personal tutorials, and research supervision. Our Education Studies module provides a grounding in education research, theory, and practice.

Education Placement

The Education Placement module (EFPM379) is available as an optional module in term 2. This provides a unique opportunity to observe, experience, and reflect on practice and enhance your employability skills.

Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Creative Futures

You are invited to consider taking Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Creative Futures as an optional module in your course. It's available in two formats: 15 credits (EFPM838) or 30 credits (EFPM839).

Careers

The flexibility of this programme means it is ideal for students from a range of subject, professional, and career backgrounds including teachers, lecturers, administrators, education advisors, or other related professions.

Graduate Destinations

The University has an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters, and our students compete very successfully in the employment market. Our graduates have gone on to a range of careers in the UK and overseas.

• Job Titles:
  • Teacher
  • Subject Specialist Teacher (including music, arts, drama)
  • Special Needs Teacher
  • Head of Department
  • Arts Manager
  • Educational Therapist
  • Education Officer
  • Dyslexia Assessor
  • Headteacher/Principal
  • Education Consultant
  • Dean, Faculty of Arts
  • Lecturer
• Employers:
  • Ofsted
  • Devon Education Authority
  • Jersey States Education Department
  • Plymouth City Council
  • FEA Training and Development Centre
  • Camden LEA
  • Exeter College
  • Hong Kong SAR Government
  • Danish National School of Contemporary Dance
  • Ministry of Education, Cyprus
  • Saltash Community School
  • University of Reading

Career Support

Careers support including skills training, internships, jobs vacancies, employment fairs, and other events is available through the Career Zone.