Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £3,540 for the course
International/EU: £5,910 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
January 2026
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Develop an in-depth knowledge of what autism is and issues across age ranges.
- Gain insight into the lived experiences of autistic individuals and understanding of their support needs.
- Explore specific cognitive differences as well as sensory perceptual profiles and experiences in autism and Asperger Syndrome.
Suitable for you if you are autistic, are a parent/carer and/or are a professional who works with autistic individuals (of any age). This course covers a range of theories and relates them to the lived experiences of autistic children and adults.
The upcoming October start date for our PGCert Autism course will be a distance learning-based course.
We are excited to announce that an updated, in-person version of this course will also run every January starting in 2025. We want to make this course as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you think you might have difficulty attending the January start route in-person, or have any concerns, please contact the Course Leader directly. For detailed information about course timings please visit the NAS website.
References are not required for this course. Please leave this section blank when completing the application form. When submitting your application, please upload a copy of your highest qualification
Employability
100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating, with 82% in highly skilled employment or further study (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
How you learn
At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.
This course is delivered online (starting in October, 2024) or in Manchester (starting in January, 2025).
You learn through one or more of the following:
- face-to-face teaching
- online support
- individual supervisions
- self-directed learning
You are provided with an in depth exploration of the main autism theories, with alternative perspectives identified with supporting rationale. The course is deeply embedded in an inclusive model, and embraces the social model of disability. As such, the notions of inclusion, models of disability, and what it means to be autistic in the modern age are all explored within the course.
Course leaders and tutors
Luke Beardon
Senior LecturerIn his post as Senior Lecturer in autism Luke runs various courses at different academic levels in autism, including a Masters qualification, while continuing to res … Read more
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.
Future careers
This course supports students interested in
- working with autistic children
- working with autistic adults
- supporting autistic employees
- engaging with autistic students in further and higher education
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to
- complete a Masters in Autism
- complete a Doctorate in Education
- complete an autism-related PhD
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
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
This course is delivered online (starting in October, 2024) or in Manchester (starting in January, 2025)
Entry requirements
All students
You need a degree or equivalent. Applicants will also be considered based on relevant experience. 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
If English is not your first language you normally need an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with 6.5 in reading and 6.5 in writing.
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 studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Autism In Practice
Critical Reflections On Autism
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £3,540 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.
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 2025/26 is £5,910 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.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 153KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
