MA Education (Inclusive Educational Leadership)
This MA in Education strives to develop Leaders in Inclusive Education with a specialist expertise in SEND practice.
Apply Now
Study after a PGCE: Different types of MA's
Join this Professional Development webinar to learn about our master's programmes for teachers.
23 April 2025
FIND OUT MOREAbout the course
This course is designed to develop Leaders in Inclusive Education with a specialist expertise in SEND practice. Developed in collaboration between the University, Leadership Experts and SEND Specialists, you have the opportunity to learn from the most experienced and advanced Inclusion trainers in the world.
This MA is a fully online, high-quality and interactive programme delivered in partnership with industry specialist, the SENsible SENCO, Abigail Hawkins. The experts lecturing throughout this course have supported thousands of schools and SENCOs, and their mission is to help SENCOs advance, either within the world of SEND or to utilise what they have gained to transition into other fields.
This master’s aim is to enable teachers to develop their leadership competency and SEND knowledge through critical evaluation of research and scholarship, and to integrate this with their own practice. You will be able to analyse, engage in and reflect on these educational issues and on the implications for their own educational setting.
You will learn how to integrate theory and practice to support the development of these roles and in turn, learn how to improve positive outcomes for pupils with SEND.
This course is available to those in the UK or abroad who wish to develop their SEND knowledge and practice. The course lead and tutors are skilled at tailoring content to meet the needs of international colleagues, whilst also ensuring fidelity to the course programme.
Course Highlights
- This is a work based, flexible and practical programme carefully crafted to support new and aspiring Inclusive SEND Leaders into developing critical, reflective and effective practices in their role.
- We advocate inclusive practice and support SEND leaders in using critical reflection, research and tasks to improve provision and outcomes for vulnerable pupils.
- You will be taught and supported by a highly skilled course leader, tutors and supervisors who are experts in SEND provision.
Course breakdown
The course runs across three years to enable students to have a break between completing the Diploma and starting your dissertation.
Termly, online support is provided from an experienced tutor.
View course modules
+
Teaching and assessment
All of our postgraduate courses are taught and delivered online, so no matter where you are in your teaching career, or the world, you can with one of the most established teacher training providers in the UK.
Teaching methods
This master’s is designed to be work-based, flexible and a practical programme. The course is delivered through a combination of seminars and tutorials with input from SEND and Leadership experts.
You will receive a week-by-week guide which will cover a range of different teaching methods including Webinars, Films, Readings and Independent Study. Trainees will meet virtually with their supervisor and engage in five reflective tasks to support understanding and application of the most effective and inclusive practice as a SENCO. You will be fully supported to develop your writing at Level 7 (Masters) standard and will receive training both in theory, developing practice and developing Leadership.
Assessment Methods
All work can be completed through distance learning and is supported by online resources via the University’s Moodle platform. An emphasis is put on students to be self-managed, completing work-based reflective tasks in relation to effectiveness in the role of a SEND Leader. You will complete an assessment at master’s level and professional reflections.
You will also critically engage with scholarship, which will inform your assessments, and you will learn about different SEND and Leadership theories along with related strategies. You will be expected to read around your subject area but will also be provided with a large number of relevant resources to help you work through the course.
Students will be fully supported through training to be able to complete assessments throughout the three modules of the course. A breakdown of the modules can be found in the Curriculum Handbook. Assessment methods include:
- A dissertation (12,000-15,000 words) that enables you to specialise in a particular area of policy and/or practice. You will be supported in all aspects of research, literature review and the writing up.
- A reflective essay.
- A Professional SEND Development Portfolio (Moodle), where the focus is on the student to reflect on their own practice within their education institution in order to have met the SEND learning outcomes.
- Five reflective tasks, each of 1,500 words.
- An assignment of 8,000 to 10,000 words.
After your course
Upon course completion, you can put what have learnt into practice, benefiting not only your career prospects, but also the generation of pupils that you are supporting. You may also wish to continue your study beyond master’s level.
Here are just some of the career opportunities and skills that can stem from studying on this degree:
Career opportunities
- Become an asset to any School Leadership team.
- Confidently lead a team of SEND specialists.
- Develop your SEND knowledge further still to specialise in this area.
Career skills
- Leadership skills
- Independence
- Perseverance
- Resilience
- Commitment
Careers and Employability Support
Our courses strive to effectively combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. The Buckingham tutorial teaching model means that our students are well prepared as they embark on their careers and future study.
Find out more about our Careers and Employability Service.
“Upon completing my postgraduate degree, I have undoubtedly obtained the necessary independent and research skills to embark on my professional journey. The extensive knowledge I have acquired through this advanced degree sets me apart from other candidates, giving me a distinct advantage.”
Eleanor, Postgraduate student
Entry requirements
See our general University entry requirements for information on flexible entry, mature students and alternative qualifications.
UK Offers
To be eligible for this programme, applicants must:
- Have a degree graded 2.2 or above
- Be employed in a school
International Offers
This course is open to international students.
If you are uncertain whether you will be eligible to apply for this course, please contact our Education Admissions team.
Course fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | 1st Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 | |
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
Discounts
Students with an undergraduate degree from The University of Buckingham that plan to continue their studies with a postgraduate degree at Buckingham can benefit from a discount on their fees.
Postgraduates who have completed their Master’s at The University of Buckingham are eligible for a discount on tuition fees for selected Buckingham PhD programmes. Find out more about the Buckingham Postgraduate Discount.
Bursaries and scholarships
We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. These are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.
How to apply
Apply direct
Apply online from this page as the most flexible option.
Need help?
Contact the Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email: education@buckingham.ac.uk
- Copy of your degree certificate
- Copy of your passport photo page (and visa/work permit where necessary)
- Signed copy of the headteacher’s declaration
- Head and shoulder style photo for your University identity card.