Adults with Learning Disabilities who have Significant and Complex Needs – Distance Learning (PGDip/MSc) 2017 entry
The PGDip/MSc in Adults with Learning Disabilities are part-time distance learning programmes intended as continuing professional development qualifications for professional staff who wish to be research-practitioners in their current post, or who wish to advance their career through applying evidence-based research in practice.
Course type
Postgraduate; leading to a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or a Master of Science (MSc)
Course duration
One year part time (PGDip); two years part time (MSc)
Entry requirements
Successful completion of a certificate qualification in the area of learning disabilities from a recognised UK Higher Education Institution.
If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Tuition fees
PG Diploma: £2,160
MSc: £2,160 (upon successful completion of PG Dip)
Application deadline
Application requirements
- CV
- personal statement (500 words)
- sample of academic written work (2,000 words)
- two original signed academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
- English language requirements certificate.
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
If you started this programme in 2016, you can find information about 2016 entry on the 2016 Adults with Learning Disabilities who have Significant and Complex Needs – Distance Learning (PGDip/MSc) page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in our archive.
Apply for this courseCourse information
The PGDip/MSc in Adults with Learning Disabilities is a part-time distance learning course run by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. The Postgraduate Diploma is intended to be studied within one calendar year from either March to February or October to September. The focus is on research, and students will learn the skills of a research practitioner.
For those progressing on to the MSc, you will spend an additional year researching and writing a 15,000-word dissertation. Students apply the knowledge and research skills gained in the PG Diploma to carry out research that will benefit the quality of service, care and life of adults with learning disabilities.
Highlights
- The online open learning materials are written in an interactive style and are designed to encourage students to use their own workplace experiences as a basis for new learning and development of research skills.
- Students have full electronic access to the University of St Andrews library resources, including full text journals and other online resources.
Teaching format
The course is delivered via online modules through the University of St Andrews Dynamic Learning Environment. Students will have access to research publications, electronic databases and the University's library resources.
Over the course of the year, students will take six compulsory modules. It is not possible to enrol for individual modules at the Postgraduate Diploma level. Typically, each module is completed within two months and requires 100 hours of total study time, including completion of assessments. Module teaching materials are delivered online where students will have access to additional reference materials.
Students complete assessments online. The taught modules are continuously assessed through coursework, which students submit online. Coursework assessment includes multiple choice questions, short answer assignments, reference searches, and analysis of published research as well as developing a full research proposal. There is no final exam for the course.
University tutors are available for support via email and telephone.
Further particulars regarding curriculum development.
Modules
Each module typically comprises:
- guided online teaching and learning materials
- 100% coursework assessment.
For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2016–2017 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2017 entry.
Compulsory modules
- Intellectual Disability Research: introduces students to the core skills necessary for research in the field of intellectual disability.
- Data Collection and Sampling: introduces key skills and concepts of data collection and sampling including quantitative and qualitative data, surveys and questionnaires, interviews, standardised assessment instruments, observational methods and experimental measurement.
- Qualitative Data Analysis: Flexible Designs: introduces qualitative research including grounded theory studies, case study methods, ethnographic studies, analysing qualitative data and reporting qualitative research.
- Quantitative Data Analysis: Fixed Designs: introduces core analysis skills including general design issues, experimental design, the analysis of quantitative data and of single subject data, and graphical presentation.
- Undertaking a Small Scale Study: teaches skills in conducting small-scale studies including developing your idea, conducting a literature review, writing a research proposal and working through the model answer.
- Writing a Research Report: teaches skills in research report writing including reporting data from quantitative and qualitative studies, types of reports, organisation and content, referencing and submitting papers for journal publication.
The modules listed ran in the academic year 2016–2017 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2017 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
Dissertation
MSc students will spend one additional year researching and writing a 15,000-word dissertation on a practice-related topic of choice, integrating one area of specialised study with research methodology. Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process.
Funding
Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% reduction in tuition fees for students who have graduated during the last three years and are now starting a postgraduate programme.
After the PGDip/MSc
Research degrees
Many of our graduates from the MSc continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.
The Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council offers studentships for PhD research in health, biological and related sciences covering up to four years funding and, in some cases, accommodation fees.
Careers
Graduates from the programme entered or continued their work in a variety of professions or as academics with a link to practice. These roles include:
- clinical services development manager
- community care officer
- deputy nurse manager
- occupational therapist
- podiatrist
- speech and language therapist
- senior social worker.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Contact
School of Psychology and Neuroscience
St Mary's College
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JU
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2157
Email: pgsecpsych@st-andrews.ac.uk
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).