Program Overview

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MA Autism

Course summary

Gain a specialist and critical education in theory, research and practice related to autism. The course provides academic, professional, and personal development opportunities for those concerned with both the practice and experience of living and/or working with autistic individuals across all ages.

How you learn

You experience and engage in a variety of learning activities as you progress through the course. We have designed a balanced range of activities to recognise the diverse range of experience and expertise of our students.

• Tutor-led seminars
• Workshops
• Participant-led activities
• Group and peer discussion
• Self-directed study
• Independent reading
• You take part in both face-to-face and online learning throughout your studies.

Applied learning

Applied learning is the ethos at the heart of all Sheffield Hallam courses, meaning that you are given the opportunity to put your study into practice.

You'll be taught by professionals who are active in their field - so you'll get cutting edge, industry focused knowledge of your subject. You'll gain real-world skills through placements, workshops and live projects, often getting the opportunity to work with big global brands.

Work experience is also embedded into every year of the course, so you polish your workplace skills alongside building a solid knowledge of your subject. Applied learning means that when you do start work, you can dive in and make things happen.

Course leaders and tutors

• Stephen Connolly, Lecturer in Autism and Education

Modules

Year 1

• Autism: Challenging Ideas Of Challenging Behaviour (30 credits)
  • Assessment: Coursework (100%)
• Autopia: Autism, Environment And Practice (30 credits)
  • Assessment: Coursework (100%)
• Critical Reflections On Autism (30 credits)
  • Assessment: Coursework (100%)

Final year

• Introducing Ethical Autism Research Practice (30 credits)
  • Assessment: Coursework (100%)
• Research Project (Autism) (60 credits)
  • Assessment: Coursework (100%)

Future careers

The course provides a relevant qualification for anyone holding or intending to hold a position related to autism. As this is a part-time course, students are often studying alongside their own career progression. Graduates often go on to progress in their organisation or take on further responsibility as the result of their studies and acquired skills.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Entry requirements

• Typically a degree or equivalent and an interest in the autism spectrum.
• If English is not your first language, you need an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with 6.5 in reading and 6.5 in writing.
• We may invite you to take part in a face to face or telephone interview to ensure your spoken language skills meet the requirements for working with learners in an educational setting or context.

Fees and funding

Home students

• Our tuition fee for UK students starting distance learning study in 2026/27 is £10,940 for the course.
• Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2026/27 is £5,470 per year.

International students

• This course is not eligible for full-time Student visa sponsorship.
• Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2026/27 is £18,600 for the course.
• Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2026/27 is £9,300 per year.

Postgraduate student loans

• Up to £12,858 is available in 2025/26 for home students on most masters courses.

Additional course costs

• The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses.
• These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses.
• Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Legal information

• Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.