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OVerview

The MSc Neurodiversity is a fully online postgraduate degree designed for professionals across all professional walks of life including, health, social care and education. 

Grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm, it challenges deficit-based models and promotes strengths-based, inclusive approaches to supporting neurodivergent individuals throughout the lifespan. Delivered flexibly over three years, the programme combines interactive online learning, live sessions, and practice-based tasks, making it ideal for working professionals. 

Throughout your studies, you will develop advanced knowledge and leadership skills to drive systemic change, co-design inclusive solutions, and advocate for neuro-affirming practices. With exit points at PgCert and PgDip levels, the MSc offers a clear progression route and enhances employability across diverse fields, including policy, integrated care, and third-sector organisations. 

As a graduate of the MSc Neurodiversity, you will be equipped to influence practice, shape inclusive services, and contribute to research, ensuring meaningful impact in a rapidly evolving area of professional need.

COURSE HIGHTLIGHTS

The programme is designed for working professionals, and is delivered fully online with flexibility to fit around other commitments. There is a mix of live interactive sessions and study that can be completed in your own time.  delivered over three years with asynchronous learning and live interactive sessions. 

  • Relevant to health, social care, education, criminal justice, and third-sector roles, the programme has a truly interdisciplinary focus.
  • The MSc promotes strengths-based, inclusive, and rights-focused approaches aligned with current legislation and policy.
  • There are clear progression routes, with exit awards at PGCert, PGDip, and MSc levels.
  • Engage in practice-based learning including case studies, reflective tasks, and theoretical co-design opportunities to apply theory to real-world contexts.
  • Enhance your employability. Graduates will be prepared for leadership, advocacy, and research roles across diverse sectors. 

Careers

It is envisioned that graduates of this programme may work in the following sectors: 

  • Health and Social Care Services: NHS trusts, integrated care systems, community health organisations
  • Education Sector: Schools, colleges, universities, and educational support services
  • Third Sector Organisations: Charities and advocacy groups (e.g., autism, dyslexia, neurodivergence support).
  • Policy and Government Bodies: Local authorities, policy development teams
  • Corporate and Employment Services: HR departments, diversity and inclusion teams in private companies
  • Criminal Justice and Public Services: Ombudsman offices, justice system support services

Entry requirements

What qualifications do you need?

We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

Do not worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience

If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate Entry Requirements page, which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.

  • Applicants will typically possess any ordinary degree, or equivalent 
  • Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient professional or practice-based experience to undertake master's studies, for example, two years’ experience working in a professional, leadership or management roles where they are required to provide written reports
  • English language proficiency for non-native speakers: IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (see below for more information on English language requirements)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW

All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.

* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:

  • native speakers of English
  • Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
  • non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
  • students whose previous degree-level study has been taught and assessed in English in what UK Visas and Imigration (UKVI) define as a majority English speaking country

In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).

 

UWS & INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST SYSTEM (IELTS)

At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:

Undergraduate (bachelor's - BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc etc.) degrees and postgraduate (master's - MA, MBA, MSc etc.) taught degrees

  • the CEFR equivalent requirement is normally an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

Postgraduate research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA etc.)

  • the CEFR equivalent requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 6.0 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.

† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information). 

 

IELTS SCORE EXCEPTIONS (RESEARCH DEGREES, BIOMEDICAL & PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREES, MIDWIFERY DEGREES WITH NMC REGISTRATION, SOCIAL WORK DEGREES, CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ETC.)

RESEARCH DEGREES

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 6.5
  • no sub-test score of less than 6.0

MIDWIFERY AWARDS

For Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and
  • score of at least 6.5 in writing

PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREE

Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test score of less than 6.5

BIOMEDICAL DEGREES

For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test score of less than 6.5

SOCIAL WORK DEGREES

Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test score of less than 7.0

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 5.0
  • no sub-test less than 4.5

 

OTHER IELTS EQUIVALENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS

In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests

 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE HIGH SCHOOL QUALIFACTIONS ACCEPTED FOR NON-EU APPLICANTS

UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications

 

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES AT UWS

Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:

    • 10-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
    • 5-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
    • English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with an overall score of 4.0, plus a score of 4.0 in all sub-tests (10-month course), or an overall score of 4.5, plus no score below 4.0 in all sub-tests (7-month course).

Find out more about our English language Courses.

How to apply

Postgraduate courses (MA, MSc, MEd, MBA, DBA, PG Cert, PG Dip, etc.) & some Post-experience courses (CertHE, BA, Grad Cert, Grad Dip, etc.)

All students should apply directly to the University through our online application system. Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.

The first stage of the process is to complete the initial application form. You will then receive a follow-up email with further instructions relating to your application including documents that you will need to forward to support your application, e.g. degree transcripts and certificates etc.

Most courses don't have a formal closing date, but they will close when they are full; apply early to avoid disappointment. There may also be funding deadlines that apply to you.

 

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international students and researchers (apart from exempt nationalities) who are subject to UK immigration control and are intending to study or research at postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.

Students and researchers who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate.

An ATAS certificate may be required for certain taught postgraduate master's degrees for international students at UWS.

For the latest information on ATAS and details of eligibility and how to apply for a certificate check the UK Government's dedicated ATAS web pages.

Get in touch

Do you have a question about applying for this course? Our friendly admissions teams are here to help!

International prospective students

Our international team is ready to support you with your application and any questions about joining UWS from abroad.

international@uws.ac.uk

UK based prospective students

If you’re applying from within the UK, our applicant enquiry team is here to guide you every step of the way.

ask@uws.ac.uk

Postgraduate Tuition Feels for Online Course

Total tuition fees for the online version of this course 2025/26

Scottish

£7,500 Total cost for online study

All other UK & Republic of Ireland

£11,750 Total cost for online study

Channel Island & Isle of Man

£11,750 Total cost for online study

International (all other EU plus Non-EU)

£18,000 Total cost for online study

More on tuition fees and funding

Online Modular Tuition Fees (20-credit points) 2025-26

Scottish

£1,070 per module (20 credits)

All other UK & Republic of Ireland

£1,680 per module (20 credits)

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

£1,680 per module (20 credits)

International (all other EU plus Non-EU)

£2,570 per module (20 credits)

More on tuition fees and funding

We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.