MA Autism Spectrum

Year of Entry 2024/25
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MA

Autism Spectrum

Gain a specialist and critical education in theory, research and practice related to autism.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £10,310 for the course
    International/EU: £17,205 for the course

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    3 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2024


Course summary

  • Reflect on how autism affects the way in which people experience the world and analyse these experiences in the context of wider disability debates.
  • Learn to identify and challenge the societal barriers encountered by autistic people.
  • Critically reflect upon developing practice, research, and policy that work towards social justice, inclusion and equality.

The MA Autism Spectrum gives students a specialist and critical education in theory, research and practice related to autism. The course provides academic, professional, and personal development opportunities for those concerned with both the practice and experience of living and/or working with autistic individuals across all ages.


Graduate View
Shona Davison sat smiling at the camera

'As an autistic parent to autistic children, my studies have had a huge impact on my family. I've completely changed my parenting style as I now understand myself and my children better. We are all much happier as a result. I am also using the knowledge I gained on this course to advocate for other autistic people. I speak at conferences, provide training and conduct research.'

Shona Davison, MA Autism Spectrum, 2018 graduate

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

You experience and engage in a variety of learning activities as you progress through the course. We have designed a balanced range of activities to recognise the diverse range of experience and expertise of our students.

You learn through

  • tutor-led seminars
  • workshops
  • participant-led activities
  • group and peer discussion
  • self-directed study
  • independent reading.

You take part in both face-to-face and online learning throughout your studies.

Applied learning

Applied learning is the ethos at the heart of all Sheffield Hallam courses, meaning that you are given the opportunity to put your study into practice.

You'll be taught by professionals who are active in their field - so you'll get cutting edge, industry focused knowledge of your subject. You'll gain real-world skills through placements, workshops and live projects, often getting the opportunity to work with big global brands.

Work experience is also embedded into every year of the course, so you polish your workplace skills alongside building a solid knowledge of your subject. Applied learning means that when you do start work, you can dive in and make things happen.


Future careers

The course provides a relevant qualification for anyone holding or intending to hold a position related to autism. As this is a part-time course, students are often studying alongside their own career progression. Graduates often go on to progress in their organisation or take on further responsibility as the result of their studies and acquired skills.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

All students

Typically a degree or equivalent and an interest in the autism spectrum.

If English is not your first language, you need an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with 6.5 in reading and 6.5 in writing. We may invite you to take part in a face to face or telephone interview to ensure your spoken language skills meet the requirements for working with learners in an educational setting or context.

If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Autism In Practice
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Critical Reflections On Autism
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Autism - Challenging Behaviour And Communication
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Evidence And Evaluation
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Research Project
Credits 60
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2024/25 is £10,310 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2024/25 is £3,440 per year.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

This course is not eligible for full-time Student visa sponsorship. International/EU students may apply for part-time Student visa sponsorship on an individual basis. Please contact Admissions for further advice. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2024/25 is £17,205 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2024/25 is £5,735 per year.

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Postgraduate student loans

Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.

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Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Additional costs for Teaching, education and childhood studies courses (PDF, 257.5KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

Apply for September 2024

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Facilities

Study at Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE), one of the country's largest providers of teacher training

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

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