Our programmes in vision impairments provide opportunities for professional development for those who want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people with vision impairments

Approved by the Department of Education and designed to fit around busy working lives, the PGDip / MA Mandatory Qualification for Teachers of Children and Young People with Vision are blended learning programmes that enable qualified teachers (QTS or QTLS) to gain specialist skills and knowledge that make a difference to children and young people in the classroom. You will be able to work through online learning materials at your own pace and will be supported by both online tutorials and live lectures. There are also two face to face study weekends which you must attend if you wish to gain the mandatory qualification.

Why study this course?

Approximately 100 specialist teachers of children with vision impairments are trained each year, making the University of Birmingham the largest teacher training provider in the area of vision impairment in the United Kingdom.
The course is strongly rooted in practice and makes strong links with mainstream settings, special schools and settings, and sensory support services to help keep provision up to date and relevant to practice.
The programme with its three sensory pathways, benefits from association with members of the Vision Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research (VICTAR), who are leading researchers in vision impairment education.

We also offer a number of other programmes across a range of SEN and Inclusion that may be relevant to your needs.

Employability:

The MA/PGDip Mandatory Qualification for Teachers of Children and Young People with Vision Impairments is ideal for teachers who are already qualified to teach school-aged children in England but require the mandatory qualification to achieve Qualified Teacher of Children and Young People with Vision Impairments (QTVI) status from the Department for Education. The PGDip/MA Education of Children and Young People with Vision Impairments qualifications are suitable for professionals who do not wish, or are not eligible, to obtain qualified teacher for children with vision impairments status – for example lecturers of students with vision impairments and educational psychologists.

There is the opportunity to work towards a further professional qualification in the field of Education both within schools and in other settings, including progression to a PhD or EdD. The excellent careers advice provided by personal tutors has encouraged many of our graduates to successfully apply for leadership roles working with children and young people with vision impairments.

Students can exit at PGDip level.