Course summary
Overview This Master’s course looks in detail at learning disability, neurodiversity and autism from a psychological perspective. Studying contemporary practices, critical theories and case studies, you’ll investigate how neurodivergent and learning disabled people can be best supported in healthcare, education and workplace settings. Whether you're currently working with people with learning disabilities or you've recently graduated and you're looking to get started in this field, this MSc Psychology and Learning Disability degree is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to develop your career and become a specialist. It’s a part-time, distance learning course, which allows you the flexibility to fit your studies around work commitments. In Year 1, you’ll study modules that cover the core issues, and in Year 2 you’ll focus on your own research project with support from our expert tutors. Psychology at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 5th of all post-1992 universities for research quality as prt of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. Eligibility This course accepts UK, EU, and international students. Course highlights
- Join one of the few Master’s programmes to study learning disability, neurodiversity and autism from a psychological perspective, as opposed to a nursing perspective
- Learn about the role that psychological methodologies and analytical techniques can have in the planning and delivery of learning support at an individual and organisational level
- Increase awareness and understanding in the sector and beyond, about the positive role of psychology and psychotherapy in the study of learning disability
- Complete an individual research project on a topic of your choice. Each year we present the Sue Buckley Award – named after our esteemed Emeritus Professor of Development Disability – for best project
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) co-ordinator
- SEND teacher
- Student services officer
- Enablement Leader
- Support worker
- Community care worker
- Schools
- Academy trusts
- Local education authorities
- Healthcare
- up to 10 hours per week engaging with the core course materials and attending online sessions (roughly, one lecture, seminar, workshop or tutorial every two weeks).
- up to 10 hours of independent study each week.
- all core course materials available online at all times so you can create your own study schedule around work or other commitments.
- timetabling advice to manage your time.
Modules
Year 1 -Psychology and Learning Disability Core Issues - 30 credits -Critical Intellectual Disability Studies - 30 credits -Critical Perspectives on Autism - 30 credits -Neurodiversity Studies - 30 credits Year 2 -Quantitative Qualitative and Literature based Research - 15 credits -Psychology Project by Distance Learning - 45 credits All modules on this MSc Psychology with Learning Disability course are core. Visit our course page for full module details. We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Assessment method
You'll be assessed through:
- essays
- critical reviews
- presentations
- data analysis and reports
- literature reviews
Entry requirements
A good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants with a professional qualification not at degree level may be accepted - each application is considered on an individual basis according to academic qualifications as well as professional qualifications and experience.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0. |
| PTE Academic | 65 | An overall score of 65 with a minimum of 62 in each skill. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 91 | 91 with a minimum of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 20 in Writing. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. | |
| Trinity ISE | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components. |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £7270 | Year 1 |
| International | £7270 | Year 1 |
| England | £7270 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £7270 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £7270 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £7270 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £7270 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £7270 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
For further fee information please see the corresponding University of Portsmouth course page or visit https://www.port.ac.uk/study/masters-and-postgraduate-taught/fees-and-funding
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP