The Science of Literacy Difficulties for Intervention and Assessment Short Courses and CPD - Entry

The Science of Literacy Difficulties for Intervention and Assessment is an assessed, non-credit-bearing Bangor University continuing professional development (CPD) course delivered through the Miles Dyslexia Centre.

The course explores current research and theory relating to literacy development, literacy difficulties and dyslexia. You will consider the cognitive processes involved in reading, writing and spelling, and examine how assessment information can be used to identify support needs and inform intervention planning.

The course does not carry Bangor University academic credit and successful completion does not lead to a Bangor University academic qualification.

You may study this course individually or as part of the Specialist Teacher and Assessor Professional Training Pathway.

View the Specialist Teacher and Assessor Professional Training Pathway

Who is this course suitable for?

This course may be suitable for:

• teachers
• specialist literacy tutors
• teaching assistants and learning-support staff
• Additional Learning Needs practitioners
• speech and language therapists
• other professionals working with learners who experience literacy difficulties or dyslexia.

You do not need to have completed either of the other pathway courses before beginning this course. If you intend to follow the full pathway, this course may be completed before or after the Specialist Practitioner course, but must be completed successfully before you begin the Specialist Assessor course.

What will you learn?

Through the course, you will develop your ability to:

• evaluate current research and theory relating to literacy development, literacy difficulties and dyslexia
• understand the cognitive processes involved in reading, writing and spelling
• consider how cognitive strengths and areas of difficulty may affect literacy development
• understand key principles of psychometrics and educational assessment
• interpret assessment information and relate findings to literacy attainment
• consider the role of screening and digital tools in identifying literacy difficulties
• use evidence to inform appropriate support, intervention and reasonable adjustments
• communicate evidence-informed approaches to colleagues and support inclusive practice.

Delivery and study commitment

The course is delivered flexibly over six months and can be studied online. Delivery includes live teaching, recorded learning materials, online activities and tutor support. Face-to-face learning at Bangor University may also be available.

You should plan for approximately 12 hours of independent study each week alongside live teaching and assessment-related activity.

The next course is expected to begin in January 2027.

Assessment

Assessment methods may include:

• written assignments exploring the research and theoretical frameworks underpinning literacy difficulties
• online assessments and activities
• a professional-development presentation.

Formative activities are used throughout the course to support your learning. Summative assessment is used to determine whether you have met the course requirements.

Professional recognition

This course does not itself result in professional accreditation.

Successful completion of all three pathway courses will enable eligible learners to apply separately for specialist teacher-assessor professional recognition and an Assessment Practising Certificate through a SASC-approved professional association, such as the BDA, Patoss or Dyslexia Action.

Professional recognition, membership and an Assessment Practising Certificate are not awarded automatically by Bangor University. Learners must apply separately and meet the relevant organisation’s current eligibility, membership, application and fee requirements.

Tutor

Ruth Elliott

Ruth Elliott is the CPD Lead at the Miles Dyslexia Centre and a specialist teacher and assessor of children, young people and adults with literacy difficulties. She is a qualified teacher and holds AMBDA with the British Dyslexia Association. She is also a content creator and adviser for the CA:LON project.

What will you study on this course?

The course examines the research and theory underpinning literacy development, literacy difficulties and dyslexia.

Topics may include:

• cognitive processes involved in reading, writing and spelling
• contemporary explanations of literacy difficulties and dyslexia
• cognitive strengths and areas of difficulty that may affect literacy development
• the relationship between theory, assessment and intervention
• principles of psychometrics and educational assessment
• interpreting assessment information alongside literacy attainment
• the use of screening and digital assessment tools
• using evidence to plan support, intervention and reasonable adjustments
• communicating evidence-informed approaches and supporting inclusive practice.

How is the course delivered?

The course is delivered flexibly and can be completed online. Teaching may include:

• live online sessions
• recorded learning materials
• online learning activities
• tutor support
• assessment-focused training
• face-to-face learning at Bangor University, where available. 

You should plan for approximately 12 hours of independent study each week alongside scheduled teaching and assessment activity.

Teaching is delivered through the medium of English, with additional specialist Welsh-medium sessions.

Resources are available and assessments can be completed through Welsh or English.

For the 2026/27 academic year, the fee for this individual course is £750.

If you book all three courses as the Specialist Teacher and Assessor Professional Training Pathway, the total discounted fee is £4,750.

View the full professional training pathway

Fees charged by external professional organisations for membership, professional recognition or an Assessment Practising Certificate are not included in the course fee.

You do not need to have completed a previous specialist course before applying.

Applicants should:

• have the academic skills, professional experience and capacity needed to undertake demanding part-time professional study and assessed work
• have strong reading, writing and communication skills
• be able to engage with research, theory and assessment-related material.

If you intend to continue to the Specialist Practitioner or Specialist Assessor courses, additional entry and practical requirements will apply. Please check the relevant course pages or contact the Miles Dyslexia Centre for advice.

Applicants whose first language is neither Welsh nor English may be asked to provide evidence of English-language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0.

Please contact the Miles Dyslexia Centre if you are unsure whether your qualifications or experience meet the requirements.

Apply for this course or the full pathway

To apply for The Science of Literacy Difficulties for Intervention and Assessment as an individual CPD course, or as part of the full Specialist Teacher and Assessor Professional Training Pathway, complete the application form below.

The form will ask you to select whether you are applying for the full pathway or for an individual course.

Apply for this course or the full pathway

Need advice before applying?

If you would like to discuss your eligibility, professional accreditation aims or whether this is the most appropriate course for you, complete our enquiry form or contact the Miles Dyslexia Centre:

Email: mdc-training@bangor.ac.uk

Request advice from the Miles Dyslexia Centre

Professional accreditation

Applying for a Bangor University CPD course is separate from applying for professional accreditation, membership or an Assessment Practising Certificate through an external professional organisation.