Disability Studies
Postgraduate
In Leeds
Description
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Type
Postgraduate
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Location
Leeds
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Start date
Different dates available
This exciting programme explores disability as an equal opportunities issue by focusing on contemporary organisations and institutionalised practice.
If you’re a service provider, practitioner or policy maker who wants to bring theory and practice together, or you’re planning a career in the field of disability, you’ll explore a range of disability-related issues from theoretical and practical perspectives.
Our refreshed core modules allow you to explore the frontiers of research in this rapidly developing field, and focus on social policy for disabled people in education, benefits, housing, transport, employment, health and social support services, as well as recent developments in social research on disability. You’ll also choose from optional modules to focus on the topics that best suit your own interests or career plans, from care to disability and development via research training or race and ethnicity studies.
Research insight
Taught by academics from the Centre for Disability Studies, you’ll learn in a stimulating environment where tutors’ teaching is informed by their own cutting-edge research.
The interdisciplinary Centre for Disability Studies is at the forefront of international research in the field, using social model approaches that recognise disability as a form of institutional discrimination and social exclusion, rather than a product of physical difference between individuals. You’ll benefit from the expertise of researchers from diverse backgrounds, drawing on the experiences and issues raised by the disabled people’s movement.
Student profile
“Alongside the teaching we have a lively reading group, guest speakers, really useful practical sessions to develop and hone our skills, and a host of other extra-curricular opportunities.”
CLAIRE FLEGG, MA DISABILITY STUDIES
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Location
Start date
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About this course
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in sociology, social policy or a related subject.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information please contact the School of Sociology and Social Policy Admissions Team.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If English is not your first language, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course before you begin your studies. This can help if you: on...
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This centre's achievements
All courses are up to date
The average rating is higher than 3.7
More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months
This centre has featured on Emagister for 14 years
Subjects
- Benefits
- Social Policy
- Teaching
- Disability
- International
- Housing
Course programme
In semester one you’ll take a core module examining recent debates and developments in social research on disability. You’ll critically assess positivist, interpretative and ‘emancipatory’ methodologies and the data collection and analysis strategies that come with them, and consider the emergence of the ‘social model’ of disability.
You’ll apply these perspectives to contemporary social policy in Semester 2, as you explore topics such as disability benefits, self-help, public amenities like housing, transport and public buildings, education, employment and social support services.
In addition, you’ll gain specialist knowledge when you select from a range of optional modules. You could pursue further training in quantitative and qualitative research methods, or study topics such as special educational needs. You’ll also focus on a specific topic when you complete your dissertation – an individual piece of research that allows you to showcase the knowledge and skills you’ve gained.
Course structureThese are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules Year 1Compulsory modules
- Social Policy, Politics and Disabled People 30 credits
- Researching Culture and Society 30 credits
- Dissertation (Disability) 60 credits
- Debates on Disability Theory and Research 30 credits
- Special Educational Needs: Inclusive Curriculum 30 credits
- International Human Rights and Disabled People 15 credits
- 'Race', Identity and Culture in the Black Atlantic 15 credits
- Disability and Development 15 credits
- Contested Bodies 15 credits
- Que(e)rying Sexualities 15 credits
- Social Policy Analysis 15 credits
- Social Policy Debates 15 credits
- Quantitative Research Methods 15 credits
- Qualitative Research Methods 15 credits
- Policy and Programme Evaluation 15 credits
For more information on typical modules, read Disability Studies MA Full Time in the course catalogue
For more information on typical modules, read Disability Studies MA Part Time in the course catalogue
Learning and teachingWe use various teaching methods including lectures, seminars and tutorials in core modules. Optional modules may also include methods such as practical classes, workshops or online learning. Independent study is also crucial to this programme, allowing you to shape your own research questions, prepare for taught sessions and build research and analytical skills.
AssessmentAssessment methods are likely to vary, depending on the optional modules you choose. Most of our taught modules are assessed through written work such as essays and book and literature reviews.
Disability Studies