Course summary
The Dyslexia Action Postgraduate Diploma: Specialist Assessment and Teaching for Literacy-Related Difficulties is a unique and prestigious programme at Master’s Level 7 that provides the training for qualified teachers to become informed practitioners and specialist teacher-assessors. The programme is quality assured by Middlesex University. The courses are modular and flexible and are undertaken part-time, through online learning. Access is available 24/7 to the Virtual Learning Environment and all modules are tutor-supported through online forums. Delegates completing this Diploma will gain the skills and knowledge to:
- Examine research on literacy acquisition and related difficulties; explore a range of factors that influence typical and atypical communication, language and literacy skills and review the construct of intelligence and how it is applied in learning environments
- Develop the complex and extensive skill-set needed to be an effective specialist literacy teacher and in order to facilitate literacy understanding in learners; conduct a placement process and deliver a series of structured multisensory learning sessions with a learner
- Gain a firm grounding in key statistical concepts and in-depth knowledge of a complex, standardised literacy assessment tool; gain competence with a reporting protocol for literacy-related difficulties
- Gain knowledge of key statistical concepts associated with educational assessment; develop competence with a reporting protocol for the cognitive processing difficulties associated with dyslexia and hone consultative skills.
Modules
DAPP21-01: Literacy Acquisition – Underpinning Theory Course content, Participants will be able to: Examine research on literacy acquisition and related difficulties; explore a range of factors that influence typical and atypical communication, language and literacy skills and review the construct of intelligence and how it is applied in learning environments. DAPP21-02: Specialist Literacy Teaching - Linking Theory to Practice Course content, Participants will be able to: Develop the complex and extensive skill-set needed to be an effective specialist literacy teacher and in order to facilitate literacy understanding in learners; conduct a placement process and deliver a series of structured multisensory learning sessions with a learner* in an educational setting. DAPP21-03: Psychometric Assessment of Literacy-Related Difficulties Course content, Participants will be able to: Gain a firm grounding in key statistical concepts and in-depth knowledge of a complex, standardised literacy assessment tool; gain competence with a reporting protocol for literacy related difficulties. DAPP21-04: Psychometric Assessment of Cognitive Processing Course content, Participants will be able to: Gain knowledge of key statistical concepts associated with educational assessment; develop competence with a reporting protocol for the cognitive processing difficulties associated with dyslexia and hone consultative skills. *Guidance will be given on the selection of a learner who should be under 16 for the first 10 hours of teaching in school settings and over 18 for those working in adult settings. Candidates must select a learner from the age range in which they are currently professionally employed.
Assessment method
The Dyslexia Action Professional Programme is a competency-assessed programme. The assessment strategy for this course covers both theoretical and practical elements and is designed to develop practical skills in specialist teaching and assessment and encourage evaluation of the research and evidence-base, so that theory is integrated into practice. A combination of assessment tools is used and these include: ● Assignments (formative and examined), essays and assessment reports ● Exercises and peer evaluation discussions on Moodle ● Practical teaching material assignments, case studies ● Quizzes and other online self-assessment instruments ● Reflective reports ● Weekly lesson plans and evaluations (specialist teaching) ● Filmed evidence of assessment administration (psychometric assessment) and teaching practice
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- British Dyslexia Association
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
International applicants
Open to applicants overseas, course is online so no attendance required.
Entry requirements
Appropriate for a wide range of professional teachers and specialists who have relevant classroom or student learning support experience, including: ● Qualified teachers at all key stages, special educational needs teachers and co-ordinators (SENCOs) ● Tutors and support staff in Further and Higher Education and other adult educational settings ● Psychologists and Speech and Language Therapists with relevant experience The programme provides flexibility for learning in a personalised way which enables studying to be fitted around personal and professional commitments and: ● Regular support from a team of specialist tutors to guide you through the postgraduate level study ● An e-learning course which uses a virtual learning environment (VLE), currently Moodle, as the method of delivery. The programme encompasses interactive online study along with teaching and assessment QUALIFICATIONS Prospective students will: ● Be employed (recently, within the last two years) in a school or college in a teaching/teaching support role working with learners with literacy difficulties/dyslexia/SpLD in the UK or overseas ● Have an honours degree or equivalent e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Education honours degree plus Qualified Teacher Status (QTS or QTLS) and a minimum of 2 years post qualifying teaching experience. OR ● Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Education honours degree and a minimum of 2 years post qualifying experience, e.g., further or higher education support, employment support, independent school teaching or experience of psychology or occupational/ speech and language therapy ● Candidates will need a high level of competence in the use of English, equivalent to at least IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 in all components) for applicants with English as a Second Language. For further information see the IELTS website ielts.org. See University Regulations for Postgraduate (masters) programmes mdx.ac.uk/about-us/policies/university-regulations
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £2025 | Module |
| International | £2025 | Module |
| England | £2025 | Module |
| Northern Ireland | £2025 | Module |
| Scotland | £2025 | Module |
| Wales | £2025 | Module |
| Channel Islands | £2025 | Module |
| Republic of Ireland | £2025 | Module |
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
Professional Practice Materials
Applicants should note that the Dyslexia Action Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma qualifications are intended for individuals who wish to work as specialist literacy teachers and/or assessors in educational settings. You will need personal copies of your own test materials, books and resources on the course and you will then be able to use these for your own professional practice following the course. Costs for DAPP21-01 will amount to around £60 for the core texts.
The Diploma modules will require significant investment in psychometric assessment test materials which is in addition to the course fees. There is a Study Purchase Scheme for key assessment test batteries operated by the Dyslexia Action Shop. These test materials are resources that you will be able to use in your future professional practice once you qualify. You may also be able to borrow tests from your school or college or for a limited time from the Dyslexia Guild Library.
You will be sent a full list of required resources including assessment tests, practical teaching materials, books and materials once you have registered for the course.
Provider information
Dyslexia Action
Centurion House
London Road
Staines-upon-Thames
TW18 4AX
Course contact details
Visit our course page Contact Dyslexia Action Training Enquiries Team