Research in Special Needs Education, Master Degree, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo

Norway

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Master Degree	Full-time	2 years	August	find out	find out

About Research in Special Needs Education, Master Degree - at Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo

Equal access to education is one of the key tools we have to overcome social inequalities. The international Master's programme Research in Special Needs Education provides a strong foundation for a career committed to improving the quality of life of people with special needs and promoting social justice in local communities. This programme is one of the most innovative in special needs and inclusive education.

About the programme

The Master's in Reseach in Special Needs Education (RSNE) rigorously align with open science, inclusion, multiculturalism, sustainability, democracy, and the of promotion social justice. This program addresses several of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Read more about sustainability in special education.

Teaching is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures, focusing on various theoretical disciplines, historical contexts, and research training. Assessments include written assignments and exams, with plenty of opportunity to reflect on different professional and cultural contexts through groupwork and discussions. The language of instruction is English.

This programme educates students who want to work in the sectors of special needs education, promoting inclusion and inclusive practice, and in policy development. Choosing the programme is a step towards a career committed to improving the quality of life for people with special needs, and to promoting social justice in local communities. The programme is relevant for candidates looking to develop their professional practice, and for those wishing to pursue an academic career as a researcher in special needs education (e.g., as a Ph.D. candidate).

As an RSNE student you have access to esteemed scholars and leading institutions through our international network. Expand your horizons and enhance your research with insights from top experts in the field.

Study environment

There are numerous student societies, which all University of Oslo students may join.

If you have an interest in writing, you can write for Pedagogisk Profil, which is a student-driven magazine. You can also contribute to the study environment by joining Kjellerutvalget – the organisation responsible for the Faculty's student pub, or you can get involved with the UV – Student Union and be a representative of the students at the faculty.

The Department of Special Needs Education is part of an extended international network, providing students with the opportunity of encountering high-level international scholars and institutions.

Further studies and career opportunities

As a graduate of this programme, you will have the skills to work in an international environment, and the knowledge to operate in the different roles involved in the preparation, management and realisation of intervention, consultation, inclusion, and research.

As a graduate, you are eligible to apply to PhD programmes in Norway and elsewhere.

You can find more information about further studies and career opportunities on our website.

Learn more about Research in Special Needs Education, Master Degree - at Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo

Visit course webpage

Notes about fees for this course

Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not have to pay tuition fees.

Students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees, unless they qualify for an exemption. Applicants who are offered admission, will receive information about the precise tuition fee alongside the offer.

Entry requirements

Application deadlines

Applicants residing in Norway and Nordic citizens:

The application portal opens 1 February
The application deadline is 15 April

Applicants from EU/EEA and Swiss citizens:

The application portal opens 1 February
The application deadline is 1 March

Applicants from outside EU/EEA and Switzerland:

The application portal opens 15 October
The application deadline is 15 November

The study programme starts in August every year.

Answer three questions in our admission guide to get:

your application deadline
admission requirements
which documents to submit
access to the application portal Søknadsweb

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo

The majority of Norwegian universities and state university colleges are publicly funded. This means that we do not charge any tuition fees from our students, regardless of their country of origin.

Student reviews of Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo

Find out what students say about Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo

From Master's to PhD in Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation

Jianan Chen is a Doctoral Research Fellow (PhD) at the Centre for Research on Equality in Education (CREATE) at the University of Oslo. She graduated from the Master's Programme in Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation in the spring of 2023.

– Having a background in health economic evaluation, I was looking for opportunities to learn programming and facilitate more advanced data analysis. This programme provides solid training in research methods based on R programming, which are applicable across various fields in social sciences.

– My Master's Degree provides me with highly relevant courses and programming skills that form the foundational framework for my PhD. My project focuses on progressive tests for screening language skills in early childhood.

Empowering students with special needs

Liisa Kallio completed her Master's degree in Research in Special Needs Education in 2024. She now works as a special educational needs teacher in the Primary Years Programme at an IB (International Baccalaureate).

Based at an international school in Norway, Kallio works to support and enhance the educational journey of students with diverse needs. Her responsibilities include crafting individual education plans (IEP) in collaboration with the SEN coordinator, other teachers and the students' parents.

– My job is to plan these lessons to target the given goals and differentiate wherever needed. By combining one-on-one instruction with classroom support, I ensure that every student receives appropriate and tailored guidance.

The first year of the studies provides a comprehensive but surface level view on different aspects of the SNE field and the master’s thesis gives you an opportunity to deepen your knowledge in a particular topic.

– I had a clear career plan after my studies, so I strategically selected my master's thesis topic to focus on the international school context, ensuring its relevance and helping me build connections with schools.