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Specific Learning Difficulties/Dyslexia at Bath Spa University - UCAS

Bath Spa University

Degree level: Postgraduate

Specific Learning Difficulties/Dyslexia (Taught)

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Course summary

A British Dyslexia Association accredited Master’s in Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) and Dyslexia.

  • Study while you work. We’ve designed a mix of day, weekend and evening sessions to fit around your current responsibilities.
  • Acquire specialist teaching and assessment skills for dyslexia, to strengthen your professional skills and enhance your career prospects.
  • On successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to gain Approved Teacher/Practitioner Status (ATS/APS) and become an Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association.
If you’re a teacher, or have experience working in education, this course has been designed with you in mind. You’ll broaden your career opportunities and develop skill sets for career advancement within and beyond the school context. Approximately 10% of learners have dyslexia. Schools recognise the need for dyslexia training and teachers with the skills to understand, identify and support children with dyslexia. By acquiring specialist teaching and assessment skills around dyslexia, you’ll become a valuable addition to the school team. The MA in Specific Learning Difficulties / Dyslexia comprises modules that integrate both theory and practice and are taught through sessions and assessed projects. Through workshops, case studies, assignments and research, you’ll justify your professional practice and become a specialist dyslexia teacher. This course is approved by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), and can enable you to apply for:
  • Approved Teacher Status (ATS)
  • Approved Practitioner Status (APS)
  • Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA)
  • Assessment Practising Certificate (APC).
With one or more of these qualifications, you become an approved teacher and/or assessor. A Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) in SpLD / Dyslexia is also available.

Modules

Year one Gain the skills and knowledge to become a specialist dyslexia teacher. You’ll take two 30 credit modules covering the theory and practice of SpLD/Dyslexia leading to ATS/APS knowledge and accreditation. Year two Gain the skills and knowledge to become a specialist dyslexia assessor. You’ll take a further 60 credits:

  • a 30 credit module to continue to deepen your knowledge and skills in SpLD/Dyslexia in order to become an assessor (AMBDA/APC)
  • 30 credits of learning in the area of research skills for social science will also be completed.
Year three You’ll spend your final year researching and writing up your dissertation project. This is a way for you to consolidate your skills and expertise in an area of SpLD / dyslexia that interests you.

Assessment method

All assessments will be coursework based: including presentations, project work, and a professional practice portfolio for BDA accreditation requirements.

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

Entry requirements

You’ll usually be a teacher, teaching assistant, or any other professional working with children. You’ll have an undergraduate degree and at least two years' full-time experience in teaching or supporting learners up to and including 18 years of age. You’ll be interested in the inclusion of vulnerable learners with SpLD/dyslexia, and have a strong drive to improve outcomes for these learners through specialist intervention. You’ll also need current access to school-aged learners who may be dyslexic (but don’t have other significant identified special educational needs (SEN).

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

Some students may wish to take the Assessment Methodology for SpLD/Dyslexia (AMBDA) as a standalone module. This course is approved by the BDA (British Dyslexia Association), and can enable you to apply for ATS (Approved Teacher Status) / APS (Approved Practitioner Status) and AMBDA / APC. DBS is also required. All of these elements have an associated additional cost, details of which are outlined on our website. Please check the course page for more information and email [email protected] if you have any questions about fees.
Specific Learning Difficulties/Dyslexia at Bath Spa University - UCAS