Autism PGCert

Course structure

The PGCert is a one-year part-time programme. You will undertake three 20-credit modules combining academic study with work-based action learning and action research. Your day-to-day professional activity will shape your development through reflection and peer discussion.

The course is designed to fit in with your working patterns and runs across 10 Saturday sessions across the year – six half days and four whole days.

All our specialist PGCerts are offered at our Falmer campus subject to meeting the minimum numbers of participants. They can also be offered off site to an organisation, school or a cluster of schools.

Areas of study

You will deepen your understanding beyond a more practical hints and tips approach which will enable you to link study to the priorities of your educational setting.

This programme will focus on the following areas of study:

• developing knowledge of the theoretical basis of contemporary approaches to autism and practical application of this learning through exploration of your work with learners with autism
• consideration of the historical perspective, exploring some of the latest research on autism. There will be an explanation of the diagnostic criteria for autism
• exploration of communication skills focusing on development of language and the use of signs and symbols, sensory perception and difficulties, challenging behaviour and social relationships
• developing techniques required to study at masters level.

The programme will enable you as a practitioner to:

• extend and enhance your current practice
• gain knowledge of current thinking in the understanding of autism
• develop frameworks for understanding the range of issues surrounding working with learners with autism
• increase your confidence and effectiveness in supporting learners with autism
• learn how to implement change in a range of policy contexts
• develop your capacity for masters level study
• develop lasting support networks and share knowledge with other professionals and the university’s postgraduate community
• gain credits towards an Education MA.

Modules

Engaging in Professional Practice This module is designed to facilitate postgraduate study. The emphasis is on developing critical thinking and approaches to learning. You will explore your understanding of autism and consider strategies to address your own professional learning and development needs.

Reflective Practice This module looks at the historical perspective and introduces current research on autism providing an insight into the impact it can have on the child. A variety of strategies and interventions will be considered in the light of research into good practice in autism education.

Case study This module provides you with an opportunity to apply the learning from module 2 in order to facilitate positive change in your professional practice. You will undertake a case study of an individual learner and plan a series of interventions to support the learner’s needs. This will require you to identify, explore and develop theoretical and reflective understanding of the issues presented; consider solutions and implement and evaluate changes made.

Pedagogical approaches

How we teach

Sessions are a mix of discussion, delivery of specialist knowledge, hands-on activities, structured conversations, blogging, videos, tutorials with specialist tutors, peer feedback and exploration of resources. We value highly reflective and creative approaches to learning and are constantly developing our own pedagogy in line with our values and beliefs concerning all of our learners. We aim to challenge students’ thinking, leading them to new knowledge and understanding which they can implement in their own work with learners. 

Students bring their own new ideas to the sessions and a real strength of the programme has been the diverse professional contexts that our students come from, bringing a real breadth of experience to explore in the group.

Values

In designing the programme, the team have explored and articulated their core values and the programme is very much embedded in these. Becoming a specialist practitioner who is able to share good practice for autistic learners with colleagues is highly valued and will enable you to support individuals and organisations to make the world a more autism-friendly place.

Importantly, this specialism is set within the framework of inclusive practice, a framework which acknowledges that the needs of all pupils are important in creating a classroom community and that good practice for learners with autism is good practice for all. We view autism not as a deficit but rather as a difference and aim to develop learners who have voice and agency in their own learning.

Throughout the programme we give a positive message about autism describing an individual’s strengths but also explaining the differences and possible challenges the individual with autism might face. We offer a wealth of expertise that will help to increase awareness and understanding of autism from both a professional and personal perspective.

Staff profiles 

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Education are listed here.

• You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.
• In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget approximately £30 for printing.
• For courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your travel expenses but you may be able to claim some travel costs back from the university, depending on where your placement is in relation to where you live.
• Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £150 to buy your own copies
• You may wish to consider budgeting up to £25 for stationery/teaching materials.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for courses beginning in the academic year 2020–21. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Where UK/EU students are subject to regulated fees, the annual fee increase cannot exceed the UK government’s maximum regulated tuition fee limit set for the relevant year. For all other students, ie those not subject to regulated fees, tuition fees are subject to a maximum annual increase of the higher of 5% or RPI.

Visit our advice for part-time students page. If you have specific queries about the course fee, our fees team will be happy to help. Email them at fees@brighton.ac.uk.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps