Education (Wales): Additional Learning Needs, MA
Swansea UniversitySingleton Park Campus, United Kingdom
Course overview
The National MA Education (Wales): Additional Learning Needs is a truly transformative and sector leading programme for educational professionals in Wales, from early career teachers to senior leaders with an interest in Additional Learning Needs. The educational landscape in Wales is changing rapidly. Teaching not only requires the mastery of a complex set of skills to guide, motivate, and facilitate student learning, but also the ability to enquire into professional practice in order to improve it.
The National MA Education (Wales): Additional Learning Needs programme - which has been collaboratively developed by seven universities in Wales, through direct engagement with a variety of key stakeholders including Welsh Government - will ensure that all education professionals in Wales have the same high-quality opportunity to enhance their professional knowledge, engage with research, and to improve their professional practice in the area of Additional Learning Needs. Prospective students are encouraged to contact Siôn Owen. Please view our Admissions FAQs for details on how to apply for the MA Education (Wales).
Key highlights
- Developed collaboratively by seven Welsh universities with Welsh Government input
- Designed for education professionals from early career teachers to senior leaders
- Focuses on professional practice in Additional Learning Needs
- Develops ability to enquire into and improve professional practice
- Builds professional knowledge and engagement with educational research
Entry requirements
QTS. Work in a Welsh maintained school (or in the case of ALN Pathway this could include a Welsh FE institution). Educated to degree level or equivalent.
Registered with the EWC (which must be maintained throughout the course of the programme). Employed on a minimum of 0.4 FTE contract, this can include supply teachers who are on long term contracts either with a Local Authority, school or an agency. Candidates should have, where possible, the support of their Head teacher (or equivalent such as Principal, MD, CEO or Head of Service).
To be eligible for funding you must: 1. Be an early career stage practitioner i.e., an individual in years 3-6 of practice as a teacher at the start of the programme, or • ITE partner school staff. • Teaching Assistants who meet the academic entry requirements for the programme. • School Improvement Partners/regional consortia staff/Estyn staff/LA staff/Middle tier. • ALNCO (including FE). • Applicants on the fringe of years 3-6 criteria but at the discretion of the university and in exceptional circumstances. Please note that the requirement to be in years 3-6 of practice does not apply to either the ALN or Leadership Pathway.
Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
International Postgraduate Alumni Bursaries
First Class - £5,000 per year; Second Class, First division - £3,000 per year; Second Class, Second division - £1,000 per year; Taught Masters to Research Degree - £3,000 per year subject to satisfactory progress.
Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES)
The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee rate for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme.
Careers this course leads to
- Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo)
- Special educational needs teacher
- Inclusion manager
- Senior leader in schools
- Local authority ALN adviser
Cost of study
UK/Home: £3,250 per year
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Swansea University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to a September 2026 place.