Programme Description
This innovative programme is designed to build capacity in neuroinclusive practice across a wide range of professional contexts, including education, training, community, public services, and workplace environments.
Grounded in neuroaffirmative principles, this programme focuses on understanding neurodiversity as a natural and valuable aspect of human variation, while equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills to create inclusive, equitable environments.
This level 7 programme is designed for those seeking to lead, influence, and embed systemic change, focusing on inclusive leadership, policy, and organisational transformation.
Attendance
Delivered fully online, enabling flexible participation alongside professional commitments
Includes two optional on-campus days for networking, collaboration, and enrichment (attendance not compulsory)
Start Date
Week commencing 21 September 2026 (Semester 1 teaching begins)
Semester 2 begins late January 2027, aligned with the University academic calendar
Duration is two 12 weeks semesters Semester 1 and 2
Two modules (30 credits each)
Total: 60 credits
Career Development
This course is designed for those seeking to:
Lead neuroinclusive practice across organisations and systems
Influence policy, strategy, and inclusive culture
Develop expertise in inclusive leadership and change management
It provides an excellent pathway to:
Masters in Education (MEd) (with potential APEL for entry/advanced standing into year 2 of master's programme)
Leadership roles in inclusion, equality, diversity and organisational development
Specialist roles in neurodiversity, accessibility, and inclusive design
Teaching and Learning
Both programmes adopt inclusive, flexible and practice-based approaches, including:
Interactive online seminars and workshops
Case-based learning using real-world scenarios
Reflective practice and critical inquiry
Collaborative discussion and peer learning
Access to digital resources, toolkits and guided activities
Learning is designed to be accessible, applied and professionally relevant, supporting participants to directly integrate learning into their own context.
Assessment
Module 1 - Developing Leadership in Neuro-inclusive Practice
Critical Reflective Portfolio (50%)
Applied Leadership Project (50%), including implementation of a neuroinclusive initiative
100% coursework, no exams
Module 2 - Assessment: Operationalising Neuroinclusive Practice
Assessment is 100% coursework and designed to be applied, practice-based, and professionally relevant.
Assessment Components (Module 2)
1. Intervention Design Portfolio (40%)
A structured portfolio (max. 2,500 words) demonstrating the design, implementation, and evaluation of a neuroinclusive intervention.
This will include:
Needs analysis to identify a gap or area for improvement
Co-creation with stakeholders / service users
Ethical considerations informing the intervention
Intervention design and implementation process
Evaluation strategy and reflection on impact
2. Media Asset and Reflective Commentary (60%)
Creation of a digital media output (e.g. video, infographic, or campaign) to promote neuroinclusive practice, supported by a critical commentary.
The submission includes:
A completed media asset designed for a specific audience
A reflective commentary exploring:
Storytelling choices and ethical considerations
Target audience and intended impact
Strategic communication and leadership approach
Focus:
Developing skills in digital communication, advocacy, and influencing change at scale.
Module 1: Developing Leadership in Neuroinclusive Practice
This module develops a critical understanding of:
Neurodiversity theories and models (medical, social, neurodiversity paradigms)
The neurodivergent spectrum, including cognitive and sensory differences
Intersectionality and systemic barriers
Legal, policy and ethical frameworks
Participants will explore how to apply this knowledge to inclusive curriculum, environments and organisational practice.
Module 2: Operationalising Neurodiversity Awareness
This module focuses on applied leadership and change, including:
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and inclusive design
Leading organisational and cultural change
Coaching, mentoring and building communities of practice
Learner voice, co-production and participatory approaches
Action research and leadership inquiry
Participants will design and implement a real-world neuroinclusive leadership initiative, evaluating its impact within their professional context.
Course Entry requirements
Applicants must be able to satisfy the University's general admissions requirements in one of the following ways:
Applicants must:
(a) have gained
(i) a second class honours degree (in any discipline) or better from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard or
(ii) a Postgraduate Certificate in Further Education
and
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
are over 18 years of age;
are assessed as being eligible for home fees;
are resident in Northern Ireland and have been for the past three years;
meet the Ulster University general entry requirements (opens in new window) and course specific requirements detailed above
Please note that funding is not available to applicants with the following residency:
a. GB and Islandsb. EU excluding ROI qualifying residents
c. International students
Terms and Conditions
Fee funding is only available for the September 26/27 intake and cannot be deferred to future intakes.
Fee funding is paid directly by the Department for the Economy to Ulster University.
Students cannot redeem the funding for an alternative programme nor redeem the cash value.
Students cannot redeem this funding in conjunction with any other course fee funding.
Fees and Funding Options
A range of funded and self-funded places are available to support professionals across further education, training organisations, the voluntary sector, and industry.
Through project funding, a number of places are subsidised to widen access and support workforce development. Applicants will be allocated a fee category based on their employment context and eligibility subject to availability of places.
Developing Leadership in Neuroinclusive Practice (Level 7) (x 2 30 credit modules)
The standard fee for 2026/27 academic year, for each 30-credit Level 7 module is £1,248.30. The total fee for the Level 7 programme is £2,496.60.
The following funding options apply:
Fully Funded (100% Scholarship)
A limited number of fully funded places are available for individuals working within Further Education (FE) settings. These places cover 100% of tuition fees for the Level 7 modules.Partially Funded (50% Subsidy) – £624.15 per module - £1,248.30 total
A number of partially funded places are available for those working within training organisations (e.g. People 1st, Clanrye Group) and the voluntary/community sector. Eligible participants will pay 50% of the module fee.Self-Funded (Full Fee) – £1,248.30 per module – £2,496.60 total
Participants from industry or those not eligible for funded places will be required to pay the full module fee.
Apply now
There are a limited number of places on the course with free fee eligibility or partial fee (50%) availability.
Offers will be made to those applicants who meet the entry requirements, and have provided evidence of such, on a first come, first served basis.
Therefore, when creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:
Passport
Evidence on meeting three year residency in NI
Degree Certificate
English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else)
