The Tizard Centre is part of the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR) and is one of the leading UK academic groups working in intellectual disability and community care.
This is an archived page and for reference purposes only
Overview
The Centre has excellent links with health and social care organisations, and other relevant establishments. Our primary aims, through research, teaching and consultancy, are:
- to find out more about how to effectively support and work with people with learning disabilities
- to help carers, managers and professionals develop the values, knowledge and skills that enable better services
- to aid policymakers, planners, managers and practitioners to organise and provide enhanced services.
The Tizard Centre is recognised as leading the field in deinstitutionalisation and community living, challenging behaviour, quality of staff support, sexuality and autism, and has had a significant impact on national policies in these areas. We are committed to addressing issues arising from social inequality.
Due to overwhelming demand this year there is an early closing date for Tizard Centre postgraduate admissions:
- Applications received by Friday 4 April 2014 are guaranteed to be considered for 2014 entry.
- Applications received after this date will only be considered for 2015 entry.
It may be possible in exceptional circumstances to consider some applications for 2014 entry should spaces become available through students being withdrawn. - Students offered a place for 2014 entry should meet their conditions of offer by Friday 23 May 2014. Students who do not meet their conditions of offer by this date will be deferred to 2015.
National ratings
Most recent Research Assessment Exercise: social work, social policy and administration ranked 4th nationally for research quality, with 70% of the research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
Course structure
This programme is an advanced professional development programme involving some or all of the following: distance learning; study workshops; service placement visits; and a clinical placement (which can be in your home area). Autism Studies can be completed mainly by distance learning, with a residential workshop in the spring.
Coursework is taught through a mixture of web-based resources, directed reading, videos, lectures, seminars and practical sessions, supported by a number of workshops, where you work with skilled professionals and have the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with fellow students.
Modules
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.
| Modules may include | Credits |
|---|
Teaching and Assessment
Each of the four taught modules is assessed by a one-hour, web-based, multiple-choice exam and an extended essay. In addition, the Research Methods module involves short assignments and a worked problem. Placements are assessed by two 2,000-word service reports and one 4,000-word case report, plus feedback by placement supervisors.
Programme aims
This programme aims to:
- provide you with a detailed knowledge of autism and other developmental disabilities
- provide you with experience of conducting research or intervention in the field of autism.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You will gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the characteristics, diagnosis and epidemiology of autism
- cognitive, communicative and social characteristics of people with intellectual disabilities
- biological, social and environmental causes of autism
- behaviour analysis
- intervention and approaches to supporting people with autism
- challenging behaviour and other associated complex needs
- ideology, policy and service development
- definition and measurement of service quality
- the relationships between service organisation and quality research methodology.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual skills in:
- appraising and interpreting evidence from the academic literature and personal/work experience
- presenting critical, balanced arguments.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in:
- (applies to MA and PDip only) conducting research on a topic relevant to autism and / or conducting an intervention study and case study assignment relevant to autism.
Transferable skills
You will gain the following transferable skills:
- communication: the ability to organise information clearly and respond to written sources
- numeracy: if you are doing the statistical element of the research methods module, you will make sense of statistical materials and integrate quantitative and qualitative information. You will also become familiar with ways of summarising and presenting data
- information technology: the ability to produce written documents, undertake online research
- working with others: the ability to work co-operatively on group tasks both within the virtual learning environment and during the residential workshops
- improve your own learning: the ability to explore your strengths and weaknesses, time management skills and review your working environment
- problem-solving: the ability to identify and define complex problems, explore alternative solutions and discriminate between them.
Careers
For more information on the services Kent provides you to improve your career prospects visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability.
Study support
Graduate School
The Graduate School ensures that the academic and social interests of postgraduate students are provided for within the University. It works alongside academic schools to support and develop internationally disctinctive, exciting and innovative programmes of study that combine academic excellence with an exceptional student experience and appropriate learning resources through the provision of:
- high-quality postgraduate facilities
- a supportive environment for the intellectual interests of our postgraduates
- an excellent Researcher Development Programme
- a strong framework of specialist support for our postgraduates across the University
- the cultivation of external links with Research Councils, graduate schools and other organisations, both nationally and internationally, to provide further funding and study opportunities.
For more details see our Graduate School page.
Postgraduate resources
All teaching takes place at the Tizard Centre. The Centre has its own video equipment and computer-based systems for analysing video footage. Postgraduate research students have a shared office space with a computer and telephone.
Acclaimed active department
The Tizard Centre runs an annual seminar series where staff or guest lecturers present the results of research or highlight recent developments in the field of social care. The Jim Mansell Memorial Lecture invites public figures or distinguished academics to discuss topics that could interest a wider audience. The Centre also publishes the Tizard Learning Disability Review (in conjunction with Emerald Publishing) to provide a source of up-to-date information for professionals and carers.
The Tizard Centre provides consultancy to organisations in the statutory and independent sectors, both nationally and internationally, in diversified areas such as service assessment, person-centred approaches, active support and adult protection. The Centre also teaches a range of short courses, often in conjunction with other organisations.
Dynamic publishing culture
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Journal of Mental Health; Journal of Applied Research and Intellectual Disabilities; American Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. Details of recently published books can be found within staff research interests.
Entry requirements
A good honours degree, typically in psychology or other relevant social sciences, or comparable professional qualifications and experience.
Please also see our general entry requirements.
English language entry requirements
For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
Research areas
Current research areas include: social inequalities and community care; intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Staff research interests
Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.
Professor Julie Beadle-Brown: Professor in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Autism and social impairment in learning disability; the implementation of active support in services; the effect of grouping people in services; personcentred approaches; exclusion of people with challenging behaviour from services.
View ProfileDr Jill Bradshaw: Lecturer in Learning Disability
Staff attributions; communication and personcentred active support; communication environments; total communication approaches; augmentative and alternative communication.
View ProfileDr Mecca Chiesa: Lecturer in Learning Disability
Behaviour analysis; precision teaching; fluency building; autism and learning disabilities.
View ProfileProfessor Rachel Forrester-Jones: Professor in Social Inclusion; Director of the Tizard Centre
Community care outcomes (mental health, learning disabilities); social networks and social support relating to all client groups, including university students; social inclusion; social environments; supported employment; death, bereavement and spirituality.
View ProfileDr Nick Gore: Senior Lecturer in Learning Disability
Relational Frame Theory; acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); challenging behaviour; supported employment.
View ProfileDr Michelle McCarthy: Reader in Learning Disability
The sexuality of people with learning disabilities, in particular women with learning disabilities, and sexual abuse; sexual and reproductive health; the menopause for women with learning disabilities.
View ProfileProfessor Glynis Murphy: Professor of Clinical Psychology and Disability
Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural treatment for men at risk of sexual offending; effectiveness of treatment for people with untreated phenylketonuria (PKU); symptoms of abuse for people with severe learning disabilities; capacity to consent to sexual relationships; early development of self-injurious behaviour; effectiveness of early intervention in autism.
View ProfileDr Paraskevi Triantafyllopoulou: Lecturer in Learning Disability
Sleep functioning and sleep problems in children and adults with learning disabilities and/or autism; sleep and challenging behaviour; offending in people with learning disabilities; person-centred active support.
View ProfileProfessor Peter Langdon: Professor of Clinical and Forensic Psychology
Adapting, developing and evaluating psychological therapies for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; forensic mental health problems including sexual offending and their treatment; information processing models; use of technology in psychological therapies.
Fees
As a guide only, the 2014/15 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| Autism Studies - MA at Canterbury: | ||
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £5100 | £12450 |
| Part-time | £2550 | £6240 |
| Autism Studies - PCert at Canterbury: | ||
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £1710 | £4180 |
| Part-time | £860 | £2100 |
| Autism Studies - PDip at Canterbury: | ||
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £3435 | £8350 |
| Part-time | £7110 | £4180 |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Exceptions may apply. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk