• Programme overview
• Entry requirements
• Awards
• Fees
• ACER Research Centre

Programme overview

The Autism (Adults) course is part-time, designed to work around professional or caring responsibilities. Delivered primarily via Distance Education, you are invited to residential weekends at the University and join a tutor group with its own Regional Tutor, who will have considerable experience of autism and Asperger syndrome. The University also offers online resources to support and network students of the course, so you are not working in isolation. This combines to offer a flexible way to study and gain a qualification in autism (including Asperger syndrome).

As a student of the course, you are introduced to the latest research and current best practice in the field of autism and Asperger syndrome, with a focus on the issues that apply to the adult sector. The course gives a broad coverage, encouraging you to evaluate your own practice as you work towards your qualification. The Autism (adults) course offers qualifications at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Comments from former students who have completed the qualification include:

‘Autism (adults) has enabled me to put sound theory into good practice, I still find the course resources useful and relevant in meeting the needs of adults with autism  who access our services’

‘…this course has enabled me as a practitioner to start the journey towards real understanding of this unique and complex condition and achieve  positive outcomes in meeting the needs of the adults  we support’

The three compulsory modules of the Autism (Adults) course are:

• Autism (Adults): Understanding and working with the continuum of need (covering current theory and relating this to student’s own practice)
• Autism (Adults): Intervention, Support and Education (covering the range of models of support appropriate for adults with autism/Asperger syndrome)
• Autism (Adults): A special studies (project) module (an opportunity to evaluate or develop an aspect of the student’s own practice)

These are studied in the first year of the course and lead to the qualification of Autism (adults): AdCert. (level H) or PGCert (level M). For students wishing to gain an Autism (adults) PGDip, BPhil or MEd qualification, further modules are studied in the second year and for the BPhil/MEd qualification, a dissertation is submitted.

Programme entry requirements

For an overview of the entry requirements, please refer to the "Admission requirements" page.

Awards

This programme can be studied on a distance education basis and leads to the following qualifications:

Level Three:

• One year: AdCert in Autism (Adults),
• Two years: BPhil Autism (Adults)

Level M:

• One year: PGCert in Autism (Adults),
• Two years: PGDip or MEd Autism (Adults)

Fees*

1st Year

* Fees correct as as of 7th November 2007

Fees for 1st year students commencing in 2008-09. Fees for subsequent years of study are likely to increase. An additional cost may be incurred for transferring between levels of study. These are indicative fees, to be confirmed. Students should confirm their fees upon being offered a place.

2nd Year

* Fees correct as of 7th November 2007

Fees for 2nd year students commencing in 2008-09. An additional cost may be incurred for transferring between levels of study. These are indicative fees, to be confirmed. Students should confirm their fees upon re-registering for their 2nd year.

ACER Research Centre

ACER strengthens and unites the different research and teaching components of the Autism Team and enhances its research profile, income and activities. ACER will provide clear and accessible information on the range and depth of activities and highlight the significant expertise in ASD within the Team.

For more detailed information about the activities of ACER, please visit the main website: www.webautism.ac.uk