About us
The Tizard Centre is at the forefront of research into autism, intellectual disability and community care. Celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2019, our work is highly influential and has helped to improve lives across the UK and internationally.
We aim to share our expertise via study programmes and research projects. The Centre has strong links with health and social care organisations and many students come to Tizard thanks to a personal recommendation.
Our pioneering approach dates back to our first Director, Jim Mansell who in 2012 was awarded a CBE. In 2013, the Centre received a Queen’s Anniversary Prize in recognition of its outstanding work in the field.
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Our mission
The Centre has a commitment to social justice and our work is underpinned by values relating to anti-discriminatory practice, social equality and rights. We keep people with IDD and their families as our main focus, and work on the health, care and education systems surrounding them. This distinctive approach allows us to make a sustained positive difference to their lives.
We are also pioneering in our focus on people with more complex needs. This work includes deinstitutionalisation, work on sexuality, supported employment, autism and challenging behaviour.
The most useful aspect of the course is listening to the academics who are pioneers in the field. They ask pressing questions and have shaped the way I think.
Postgraduate study
Our programmes are designed for practitioners, giving you the confidence to apply an advanced level of knowledge to many real-life situations.
- MA: a Master's degree that can be studied over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time).
- PCert: A postgraduate certificate
- PDip: A postgraduate diploma (takes longer than a PCert and is worth more credits)
The PCert and PDip are qualifications at the same level of study as a Master's degree but are shorter and you don't have to write a dissertation.
Taught programmes
- Analysis and Intervention in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - PDip, MSc
- Applied Behaviour Analysis - PCert, PDip, MSc
- Autism Studies - PCert, PDip, MA
- Autism Studies (Distance Learning) - PCert, PDip, MA
- Positive Behaviour Support - PDip, MSc (Hons)
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - PCert, PDip, MA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Distance Learning) - PCert, PDip, MA
Funding your studies: The University offers a range of funding opportunities for Master’s students.
Research programmes
You can study full-time or part-time, with expert supervision from an experienced member of staff:
- Applied Psychology - PhD
- Community Care - MA, PhD
- Mental Health of People with Learning Disabilities - MA, PhD
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - MA, PhD
How to apply: We welcome applications for PhD research degrees in a wide range of areas related to intellectual and developmental disabilities. You should accompany your application with: a proposal of approximately 2,000 words - including an outline of the research project you envisage; your research questions; your intended methodology; and an explanation of how your project will advance the existing scholarly literature on the topic. You are strongly advised to discuss your project with an appropriate member of staff (their research interests and contact details can be found on our website) or with the Tizard Centre’s PhD Programme Convenor Professor Michelle McCarthy M.McCarthy@kent.ac.uk prior to submitting your application.
Funding your studies: The Centre has a strong track record for attracting funding for our PhD research students.
I was in the first cohort of MA students. The experience was definitive for me – I still apply the learning from that time to my work on a daily basis.
Taster events
If you’re thinking about studying at the Tizard Centre, we run 'Taster' events regularly. These events are a perfect opportunity to find out more about what we do and hear about our pioneering work. For further information or to register your interest, please get in touch.
Research
The Tizard Centre is the leading UK academic group working in learning disability and community care. It is known worldwide and has an international reputation. Members of the Centre are selected both for their academic record and for their practical experience in services.
Consultancy
Our consultants are either staff who work within the Tizard Centre or highly-skilled professionals from external organisations who we have experience of working with. These include clinical psychologists, social workers and Tizard graduates (with a Master's or a PhD). All our external consultants are supervised by staff within the Tizard Centre.
Tizard Learning Disability Review
The Tizard Learning Disability Review (TLDR) is a journal co-edited by Professor Peter McGill and Dr Jill Bradshaw.
TLDR is valued as readable and challenging for those working in the field of learning and intellectual disabilities. It brings together the experiences of managers, practitioners, academics, researchers, users and carers, offering a unique opportunity to share their different perspectives.
Tizard Practitioners’ Network
Join our growing network of practitioners in the field – open to professionals who have been involved with our work as well as to Tizard Centre students, past and present.
As a member of the network, you will receive information about:
- Job opportunities
- Consultancy opportunities
- Requests for peer-to-peer support
Please complete our registration form if you’d like to join.
