Postgraduate study

Source: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/inclusiveeducationpolicypracticeonline/ Parent: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/

Postgraduate taught

Inclusive Education: Research, Policy & Practice (online) MEd/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning

Postgraduate & PGDE Open Evening: 23 April 2026, 17:00 - 19:00

Come along to the School of Education Open Evening to find out more about our wide range of Masters programmes, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) teaching qualification.

Find out more and book your place

The online Masters in Inclusive Education considers learner diversity, including disability, gender, poverty, and addresses global priorities in education, such as inclusion and equity, according to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It encourages you to critically engage with questions such as: Which learners are disadvantaged or excluded in our education systems? How can we develop socially just practices, policies and research, that support the access, participation and success of all learners?

Online distance learning
Academic contact:
catherine.reid@glasgow.ac.uk
giovanna.fassetta@glasgow.ac.uk
Teaching start: September
Online
MEd: up to 36 months part‑time
PgDip: 24 months part‑time
PgCert: 12 months part‑time

Register your interest for more information

Year of entry 2026 2027 2028

Country of residence

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Why this programme

Our research-informed courses will help you to think about practice and policy in the light of current educational thinking and enable you to consider how an inclusive/special education system might operate in schools and other educational institutions.
You will discuss recent theories related to many of the conditions and labels associated with special educational needs/additional support needs and have the opportunity to develop practice that takes account of these within an inclusive framework. In particular you can specialise in autism, behaviour, gifted and talented, dyslexia, English as an Additional Language and disability.
You can tailor research projects to provide the maximum relevance and benefit to your interests and work. You will explore how effective learning and teaching can support the Sustainable Development Goal 4 – to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning by 2030(United Nations).
This programme has continued to attract both national and international students. Consistently rated as excellent by our students, this programme brings together students and researchers with an interest in inclusive/special education.
The international community is seeking to develop inclusive, equitable and quality education for all by 2030. This programme offers you the opportunity to consider how this will be achieved. A highlight for both international and Scottish students is the opportunity to work together as they seek to support all learners.
Education at Glasgow is ranked 3rd in the UK by the Good University Guide 2026, and 7th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2026.
Watch: Inclusive Education MEd programme overview

Programme structure

You will take two or three core courses and one optional course. Courses are delivered during the day, evening or at a distance to suit your needs.

Core courses

Optional courses may include

Programme alteration or discontinuation\ The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

The programme will support your career development as a class teacher, lecturer, policy developer, special education professional, head teacher, education administrator or researcher.

Completion of the PgCert qualifies GTCS registered teachers for Additional Support Needs recognition. In some cases this may also be available on completion of the PgDip and MEd. For more info, please refer to the GTCS website.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2026-27

MEd

Home & RUK

Full-time fee: £2,889
Part-time fee: £321 per 20 credits

International & EU

Full-time fee: £27,720

PgDip

UK part-time fee: £321 per 20 Credits

PgCert

UK part-time fee: £321 per 20 Credits

Fee status

Fee status guidance

Additional fees

Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

UK Study Online Scholarship

The UK Study Online scholarship is open to UK, EU and international students taking online undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Please see UK Study Online for more details.

UK Study Online Scholarship

The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in a subject related to Education. We will also consider an Honours or Ordinary degree in any subject, plus a teaching qualification.

Applicants with no professional qualification in teaching but with 2 + years relevant experience in educational inclusion, special and inclusive education, or additional support needs will be considered.

Experience of working in educational contexts, e.g. class teachers from early years, primary or secondary education, special education professionals, head teachers and other professionals in educational leadership roles, education administrators, Higher Education lecturers, with an interest in inclusive or special education and responding to student diversity in equitable and socially just ways is highly desirable.

Please upload copy of any teaching qualification certificate with your application.

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

92 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 22; Listening 20; Speaking 23; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
Online PTE not accepted for entry
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

176 overall with no subtest less than 169
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

7 overall with no subtest less than 6
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic/ Academic Online

70 overall with no subtest less than 65
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II

Two subtests at 96 or higher, and two subtests at 80 or higher
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Kaplan Test of English

Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
students must have completed their final year of study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS);
essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University;
flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

More information on our Pre-sessional courses.

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

Heriot Watt
Kingston Upon Thames
Middlesex University
Manchester University
Reading University
Edinburgh University
ST Andrews University
UCL
Durham

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

Computer requirements for studying online

Broadband internet connection

3 mbps or higher

Internet Browsers

Our online learning platform Moodle is compatible with any standards compliant web browser. This includes:

Desktop:

Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Edge
Internet Explorer

Mobile:

MobileSafari
Google Chrome

For the best experience and optimum security, we recommend that you keep your browser up to date.

Javascript needs to be enabled within your browser

Please note: legacy browsers with known compatibility issues with Moodle 3.3 are:

Internet Explorer 10 and below
Safari 7 and below

Computer specifications

Processor: 2GHz**
Operating system (minimum):
Microsoft Windows Vista service pack 1
Windows 7
Mac OS X v10.4.11+
Memory: 3GB of RAM or more
Hard disk: 300GB
Sound card and microphone
Speakers or headphones
Monitor and video card with 1024x768 display or higher

Mobile device specifications

iOS: latest (Apple Safari & Google Chrome)
Android: 4.4+ with latest Google Chrome

Other software

Adobe Acrobat Reader
Media player e.g. Windows Media Player or VLC
Word processing software (that outputs to the following file types for marking online: .doc, .docx, .html, .txt, .rft, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .hwp)
Anti-virus software

Advised hardware / software

Microsoft Office 2010
Headset (ideally with a USB connector)
Webcam

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
One reference letter on headed paper
Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
A copy of the photo page of your passport

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.

Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Applications for this online programme will be accepted up until it starts.

Application deadlines

Applications for this online programme will be accepted up until it starts.