westfieldcollege

ACCESSIBILITY | ADMISSIONS | CONTACT THE WFC | SIGN IN

MA SEN/ALN (Autism)

MA SEN/ALN (Autism)

Overview:

The MA SEN/ALN (Autism) course at College of South Wales is unique in Wales. It is the only practice-based study of autism in the region and draws a wide range of students from south Wales and the west of England, as well as international students.

The course will be of interest to professionals working in the field of education, health, social care and the third sector who have contact with autistic children or adults.

The MA SEN/ALN (Autism) is designed for those who wish to become an advanced practitioner in autism by acquiring a relevant qualification.

It is also of relevance to newly qualified practitioners who are interested in gaining a specialism in autism, and to those coming from a personal perspective on autism who would like to deepen their knowledge and find out more about current research and relevant theoretical ideas.

Online application form

Information requested on this form should be completed in as much detail in order to process your application successfully. All fields marked * must be completed.

Apply Now

Step 1 of 5

Study Mode(Required)
Course Fees (Mode)
Payment Method
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Have you previously studied at WFC?

Entry Requirements

First degree and/or sufficient relevant experience of autism and evidence of recent study. Full-time students who want support with finding an internship will also need to provide evidence of a current enhanced DBS check (or its equivalent if an EU or international student).

The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY

The autism course explores theory, policy and practice in relation to all aspects of autism as it is currently understood within different contexts. Modular content is designed to provide the opportunity to tailor your postgraduate degree to meet your individual professional or personal needs.

There are two specified modules focused on autism:

  • Autism: Contexts and Concepts
    This module examines the development of current theories of autism and explores the implications of these for autistic individuals, families and practitioners. It is designed to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the sensory perceptual differences of autism and consider the ways in which these may give rise to a different way of being in the world.
  • Managing and Supporting Autism
    It will enable you to evaluate the continuum of provision for autistic people in the light of theories of learning and with reference to important models of disability.

In addition to these two modules, you are able to select two or three additional modules from the Professional Learning Programme, for example:

  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health
    This module focuses on the causation, presentation and implications of mental health difficulties in children and young people.

  • SEN: Contexts and Concepts
    This module examines practice in SEN/ALN, learning disabilities and inclusive education and critically reflects on the tension between identification of need and the philosophy of inclusion

  • Leading and Managing SEN/ALN
    This module is designed to provide students with a better understanding of theory and practice in relation to the role of SENCo/ALNCo and so respond to the changing landscape of SEN/ALN.

In common with all of the Professional Learning programmes, you must take the core module Research Methodology if you are studying the full Masters course.

Teaching

This Autism course runs on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, 5-8pm at Newport City campus.

For part-time students, attendance is one evening a week, 5-8pm for two terms (autumn term and spring term).

Most students following the part-time programme spend 2 years on the taught modules (typically one evening per week) and undertake their dissertation in their third year.

Full-time students are able to complete the whole programme within 12 months.  For most of the time full-time students study alongside part-time students in the evenings. 

However, there are some classes for full time students that take place during the day, including Research Methodology and Critical Thinking.  Full time students can ask to be given an internship during the final semester so that they can learn from observing good practice in a relevant education setting.

Each module is taught during weekly on campus sessions over 10 week terms. Learning takes place in teacher and student-led seminars, group discussions, individual tutorials and through active learning tasks.

Content is delivered in engaging and interactive ways, with clear direction and support provided for critical reading and academic-level writing.

Teaching is delivered by the module leader together with guest speakers

Assessment

Each module is assessed by an assignment, which may take the form of a 5,000 word written assignment or an alternative practical assessment task.

To complete the full Masters award, you will need to complete a 15,000 word dissertation based on a topic of your choice, though there is the option of completing a shorter dissertation (7,500 words) and studying one more module.

You will be supported by a tutor during the assignment writing process via individual tutorials.

 

COURSE DETAILS

We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement

At WFC, 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.

Additional Costs

As a student of WFC, 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.

CAREERS

Most students who study the part-time autism course already work in this specific field. Our full-time students quickly find work locally within education or the care sector, which offers them opportunities to apply theory to practice.

A Masters degree in autism is a major boost to a career. Whatever your profession, experience has shown us that learning on the course leads to enhanced employment prospects. Parents of autistic children feel empowered from the increased insight gained.

A number of students have gone on to present at national and international conferences on an aspect of autism. Other students have secured promotion and or employment in organisations that specifically support or educate autistic individuals.

Fees

Full time

Complete your degree in the shortest possible time and study flexibly – when and where suits you!
 

£7,250

You’ll study 9 modules in total (approx. 37 hrs/week).

Part time option one

Study for a degree whilst fitting it around your work, care and other life commitments.
 

£4,250

You’ll study 6 modules per year (approx. 25 hrs/week).

Part time option two

Take time to study and spread the tuition fees over a longer period – at no extra cost.
 

£5,500

You’ll study 4–5 modules per year (approx. 19 hrs/week).

Have a question about our professional qualifications?

Contact us about our professional qualifications

If you have any questions about our professional qualifications in finance and banking, please contact our customer services team.

Call us