Tizard Centre

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.

Our programmes are designed for practitioners, giving you the confidence to apply an advanced level of knowledge to many real-life situations.

• MA/MSc (Master of Arts/Master of Science)
• Comprehensive postgraduate degree
• In-depth study, research, and coursework.
• Requires completion of credit hours, thesis, and exams
• Often a prerequisite for further research or PhD
• PDip (Postgraduate Diploma):
  

• Postgraduate qualification
• Similar academic rigour to MA/MSc
• Focuses on coursework
• No research component like a thesis

• PCert (Postgraduate Certificate)
• Shorter postgraduate qualification
• Completed in a year
• Fewer credit hours/modules than a master's degree or a PDip
• Focuses on coursework
• No research component like a thesis

A PDip 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. 

Credits

Typically, each qualification is equivalent to:

• MA/MSc:180 credits
• PDip: 120 credits
• PCert: 60 credits

But ABAI verified courses (ie ABA/PBS), are typically equivalent to:

• MSc: 180 credits
• PDip: 140 credits
• PCert: 100 credits

Taught programmes

• Analysis and Intervention in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - PDip, MSc
• Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support
• Autism Studies - PCert, PDip, MA
• Autism Studies (Distance Learning) - PCert, PDip, MA
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - PCert, PDip, MA
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Distance Learning) - PCert, PDip, MA
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Forensic issues (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

The Tizard Centre is not currently considering applicants to Research programmes. We will update this page should applications open for September 2023 entry.

Subscribe to our mailing list

If you'd like to be kept informed about the Tizard Centre's activities and research, please sign up to our mailing list.

The Centre has an enduring commitment to social justice and our work is underpinned by values relating to anti-discriminatory practice, social equality and rights. We keep people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families as our main focus, and work enhancing the health, care and education systems surrounding them in proactive ways. This distinctive approach allows us to make a sustained positive difference to people's lives.

We are also pioneering in our focus on people with more complex needs. Our work includes deinstitutionalisation, support for people’s sexuality, supported employment, special education, autism and neurodiversity, and behaviours that challenge.

The Tizard Centre is the leading UK academic group working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those who support and care for them. It is known worldwide and has an international reputation of excellence. Members of the Centre are selected both for their academic record and for their practical experience in services and in supporting people and their families.

The Tizard Learning Disability Review (TLDR), is a highly esteemed peer-reviewed journal specifically tailored to professionals working in the field of learning disabilities. Recognised for its readability and thought-provoking content, TLDR brings together the invaluable experiences and insights of managers, practitioners, academics, researchers, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and carers. The journal's primary focus is on applied research that directly benefits practitioners, offering them practical knowledge and innovative approaches to enhance their work. By providing a platform for diverse perspectives, TLDR fosters collaboration and encourages the sharing of best practices in the field of learning disabilities.

• Editor in Chief: Dr Jill Bradshaw
• Associate Editor: Dr Magali Barnoux
• Associate Editor: Dr Athanasios Vostanis
• Associate Editor: Dr Serena Tomlinson

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.