Program Overview

This degree offers you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence before you advance to stage one of your honours degree.

Course description

We are offering an exciting new route into a satisfying career working in special educational needs and disability support. This four year degree will build your knowledge and confidence while offering an excellent introduction to all aspects of SEND.

• Education at Derby has been ranked in the Top 25 in the Guardian League Table 2020
• Choose our foundation year route if you want to strengthen your knowledge and skills before you progress to stage one of the BA (Hons) SEND degree
• Look forward to a career where you can make a genuine difference – from family liaison and inclusion support to teaching assistance and mentoring
• Gain an in-depth understanding of the theories, factors and contexts for special educational needs and disability (SEND)
• Develop your practical, professional and intellectual skills through a variety of work placements
• Be inspired by experts in the fields of education, health, psychology and social work so that you gain real insights into professional life
• Take the opportunity to spend time studying abroad through the Go Places, Go Further international exchange scheme.

We will equip you for a broad range of roles where you can improve the life experiences of individuals with special learning needs. You’ll build the skills and knowledge to support children and adults with diverse needs, such as specific learning difficulties, physical disabilities, behavioural problems and sensory impairments.

You will gain an in-depth understanding of all aspects of SEND. We engage you in discussions and debates, harnessing the latest research to stimulate your thinking and challenge your ideas. You will also explore the possible psychological, sociological, philosophical and biological causes of SEND.

A whole range of professionals – including carers, social workers, special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) and therapists – come together to deliver SEND support. As part of the course, you’ll take a close look at the importance of this multi-agency support and the positive impact it can have on individuals.

Throughout the course, your learning will be enriched by our strong professional links. We will introduce you to leading practitioners and our Visiting Professors include notable figures such as Brian Lamb OBE, who chaired a high-profile inquiry into parental confidence in SEND and whose work has influenced major policy changes.

We have launched a Professional Development Network for SEND and Inclusive Practice which brings together practitioners working to ensure positive, effective and inclusive education across the special and mainstream sectors.

By joining this professional community, you can take part in our annual SEND conferences which attract influential guest speakers and spark important debates about how to improve SEND provision.