MSc Profound and Complex Learning Disability: The University of Manchester

Course description

This Distance Learning Course is aimed at students who come into contact with individuals with severe or profound learning disabilities or other complex needs, and those who have a desire to gain specialized knowledge in this area. A theoretical framework is reinforced through consideration of practice related issues.

The course aims to promote strategies that enable individuals with learning disabilities to share the same rights, opportunities and choices as other people.  This is achieved by studying a range of subjects including:

• Methods of communication (including alternative and augmentative systems);
• Effects of sensory loss and dysfunction;
• Management of challenging behaviour;
• Values and attitudes towards disability;
• Issues in education from infancy through to adulthood, including Lifetime Learning;
• Family issues;
• Effective advocacy and
• Multi-disciplinary working.

Participants on this course come from a range of professional backgrounds and include Care Workers and Managers, Social Workers, Teachers, Nurses, Foster Carers, Speech and Language Therapists and Psychologists. There is an opportunity to meet other students at a yearly study school.

Career opportunities

At post-graduate level, gaining the award enhances Continuing Professional Development (CPD) profiles and has led past students to achieve posts in service management (in health, social care, learning disability, clinical psychology, education/educational support and allied health services). Students should note however, that although all courses are registered with the DFES (UK), the award is not a qualification to teach (PGCE). Some students have chosen to develop their MSc research into a PhD.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: A good honours degree, or the international equivalent. In exceptional circumstances candidates who do not have first degree, but who can demonstrate professional competence may be admitted.

English language: Students whose first language is not English require a minimum of IELTS 7.0 with 7 in the writing component or TOEFL 600 paper-based or 250 computer-based, with 4.5 on Test of Written English.