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MRes in Education - Special Educational Needs and Inclusion
Why choose Herts?
- Expert support: Ranked 1st in the UK for teacher training (Daily Mail University Guide, 2025), support (PTES, 2024), you’ll receive one-to-one support from experienced researchers, alongside access to specialist facilities and the University’s Researcher Development Programme.
- Career impact: With 96% of postgraduates in work/study (Graduate Outcomes 2025)1, you’ll graduate with the skills, confidence, and networks you need to succeed.
- World-leading research: Ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for research impact (REF, 2021), with over 75% of our education research rated as world leading or international excellent. You’ll be part of a research community whose work actively drives change in education.
About the course
The Master of Research in Education Special Educational Needs and Inclusion is a research-led postgraduate degree in education with taught elements, uniquely designed to give you the expertise to investigate the challenges and opportunities involved in creating equitable and inclusive learning environments. It’s grounded in research methodology, with particular emphasis on the theory, policy, and practice of supporting learners with special educational needs (SEN), disabilities, and diverse learning requirements.
You will explore how educational policy, inclusive pedagogies, and institutional practices shape the experiences of learners across schools, colleges, and universities. This pathway enables you to develop advanced research skills in SEN and inclusive education, alongside transferable abilities highly valued by employers, including critical analysis, data interpretation, ethical research practice, and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to a range of audiences. You will deepen your understanding of educational theory and practice in order to contribute evidence-based improvements to teaching, learning, and policy.
You can choose this Master of Research in Education - Special Educational Needs and Inclusion or the following pathways:
Why choose this course?
You will work with academics who are leading authorities in their area of research, and many have extensive educational experience. Our staff all support you in your learning and in applying research techniques to real-world educational issues in SEN and inclusion, preparing you to make meaningful contributions to educational improvement and social equity.
At the University of Hertfordshire, you will become part of a vibrant researcher community in education, with opportunities to attend seminars, conferences, and interest groups, and to contribute to conversations shaping the future of education. You’ll also have access to the University’s Researcher Development Programme, which provides additional training in advanced skills that will support both your studies and future career.
This two-year full-time programme is a great opportunity if you want to:
- study a range of research methods in SEN and inclusive education, exploring how policy and practice can better support diverse learners
- develop a unique set of skills in areas such as inclusive teaching strategies, educational support systems, accessibility, and social justice in education
- obtain a world-recognised master's degree in education and progress to doctoral study (PhD/EdD) or a career in educational research, SEN policy, inclusive practice leadership, or advocacy for equity.
What will I study?
Your modules will be taught by experts in inclusive education, SEN policy, and education research design, combining both theoretical and applied perspectives. In your first year, you will take modules on key concepts in education, critical review of literature, and research design which will equip you with the tools to critically evaluate the theories and practices underpinning SEN and inclusion.
You will also begin developing your research proposal, which will form the foundation for your independent major research project in the second year. This project, supported by a dedicated supervisory team, will give you the opportunity to explore a topic of your choice in depth and develop specialist expertise in inclusive access to education.
Teaching is delivered through a combination of study days, online activities, research seminars, and one-to-one supervision. Assessment methods are varied and designed to reflect real research practice, including literature reviews, research proposals, viva-style discussions, and your final dissertation.
Key staff
Programme Leader Lewis Stockwell
Find out more about Programme Leader Lewis Stockwell
Programme Leader Lorena Sanchez
Find out more about Programme Leader Lorena Sanchez
Further course information
| Programme specifications | |
|---|---|
| MRes in Education - Special Educational Needs and Inclusion, Full Time, Semester A Intake | Download |
| MRes in Education - Special Educational Needs and Inclusion, Full Time, Semester A Intake | Download |
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
Sandwich placement or study abroad year |
n/a |
Applications open to international and EU students |
Yes |