Postgraduate Certificate in Inclusive Educational Leadership (SEND)

Next start date

Sept 2026

Location

Online, part-time

Course duration

37 weeks

Fees

£3,000

This practical programme is crafted to support new and aspiring Inclusive SEND Leaders in developing critical, reflective and effective practices in their role.

Join one of our upcoming webinars to find out more about our courses.

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Course Overview

A Postgraduate Certificate is the first step into postgraduate education and provides focused, Master's-level training in a specific area. 

Developed in collaboration with leadership experts and SEND specialists, this practical, part-time professional qualification equips students with cutting-edge expertise and skills in Inclusive Educational Leadership and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It is the equivalent of:

  • completing one module of the Master's level course
  • completing an NPQ for SENCOs (a UK qualification that replaced the NASENCO award)

Every student that earns a PGCert will be awarded 60 Level 7 credits to put towards a PG Diploma or Master's should they choose to continue their studies.

Successful graduates will be able to:

  • Support better understanding of the needs of vulnerable pupils and increase skills of school staff to ensure needs are met.
  • Facilitate sustainable and positive change for the most vulnerable pupils with highly complex needs.
  • Communicate best practice to fellow specialists and non-specialists.
  • Improve positive outcomes for pupils with SEND.
  • Develop their career prospects through leadership in SEND.

Course Content

Course Content

The course will consist of three units:

  • Unit 1: Professional Knowledge and Understanding - understanding the legislative context for SEND in the UK and abroad, linking evidence of application of theoretical concepts underpinning leadership and practice.
  • Unit 2: The SENCO as an Inclusive Leader – Leading and Coordinating Provision - students reflect on the effectiveness of expertise and capabilities needed to lead and coordinate provision effectively.
  • Unit 3: The Critical Professional SENCO – Personal and Professional Qualities - students evaluate personal positive impact on the ethos and culture of their school/setting.

As part of the course students will need to complete:

  • A reflective essay; you will receive guidance on developing as a reflective leader.
  • An Action Research Project based upon your own setting.
  • A Professional SEND Development Portfolio (on Moodle) where the focus is on the student to reflect on their own practice within their education institution in order to have met the SEND learning outcomes.

Course Delivery

Course Delivery

All of our postgraduate courses are taught and delivered online, so no matter where you are in your teaching career, or the world, you can study with one of the most established teacher training providers in the UK.

The course runs from September to June, and attendance is required at four online training sessions during the academic year.

You will be guided through each stage of the course:

  • Termly, online support is provided from an experienced tutor.
  • You will have access to a fully online, high-quality and interactive programme and resources delivered by SEND experts and specialists.
  • The course is delivered through the University's online learning platform: Moodle.
  • You will be provided with relevant resources to guide your work.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

All applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree and to be currently working at a school or another education organisation.

You will also need to have IELTS 6.5 (with 6.0 or above in each component) or equivalent English level qualification. To see what is accepted by the University, visit our FAQ page on Language Requirements.

Fees

Fees

Tuition Fee: £3,000

Fees are invoiced for in September, at the beginning of the course, and can be paid in termly instalments or in one lump sum. Termly instalments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.

All fees are charged directly by the University of Buckingham, BISE will not add any additional charges for our services.

How To Apply

How To Apply

Click Apply Now below to apply online through Buckingham International School of Education. We will support you to complete your application before submitting it directly to the University of Buckingham.

If you have any queries, click Ask a Question and our admissions team members will endeavour to reply to your enquiry within 24 hours.

Our hours of business are 10am to 7pm (GMT+8), Mon-Fri.

Admissions for September 2026 intake will close on 31 July 2026.

 

FAQ's

What is the difference between the PGCert, PGDip and MA?

A Postgraduate Certificate is the first step into postgraduate education and provides focused, Master's-level training in a specific area. Every student that earns a PGCert is awarded 60 Level 7 credits to put towards a PG Diploma or Master's should they choose to continue their studies. A Postgraduate Diploma follows on from a Postgraduate Certificate. Upon completion of both at Level 7, a student would have 120 credits and may go on to gain a full Master's by completing a dissertation module.

What supporting documentation do I need to provide to apply?

You will be required to provide supporting documentation to prove that you meet the entry requirements. Entry requirements for each course are listed on the individual course pages.

Here are some examples of what you might be asked to provide:

  • A copy of your Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree certificate.
  • For any degrees completed outside of the UK, you will need a 'Statement of Comparability' from ENIC.
  • If you are not from an English-speaking country or your academic degree was not delivered in English, you will be required to provide evidence of English Language proficiency. Doctorate applicants may be waived of this requirement at the discretion of the university.

For any questions, get in touch with our admissions team.

Do I have to work in a school to apply?

It varies from course to course. For the teaching qualifications, such as PGCE and iQTS, you do need to be working in a school for the duration of the course to be able to meet the requirements in terms of teaching hours and lesson observations. While we cannot provide teaching placements, applicants are welcome to apply for the course while they search for a teaching post. Schools are often happy to support new teacher's CPD. For degree courses, you do need to be working in a school or other education-related setting to be eligible to apply. This is because you will need to complete research for your thesis in your educational setting.