Program Overview

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Education (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion) (Top-up) BA(Hons)

Overview

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have the right to educational support that values and respects them as learners, and takes account of their individual requirements. This course is aimed at those who work or volunteer in a relevant role and is designed to fit alongside this existing employment. Whether you want to progress your career in special and inclusive education contexts, mainstream schools or business and non-governmental organisations, this course could be for you.

Why Education (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Inclusion)?

• You'll examine how policy and legislation have contributed to our understanding of children and young people with SEND. You’ll also investigate theories of development and learning, and consider how these can be used to underpin practice in supporting these learners.
• Your place of work forms a key element of the course allowing you to put theory into practice. To ensure flexibility and access for those working within schools, colleges and other childcare settings during the week, teaching on this course typically takes place on Saturdays, approximately 8 per academic year.
• While you're here, you'll learn from professionals with a wealth of experience in a range of educational and SEND contexts, and have the opportunity to reflect on how your learning can be applied to practice, with placements in different settings across the course.
• Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in teaching, support work, the charitable sector, within Local Authorities, early years, further education or many other possibilities, this course will equip you with the knowledge and practical experience you need.

Key Information

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally one of the following:

• A Higher National Diploma, Foundation Degree, or equivalent.
• An initial teaching qualification from a recognised teacher education institution.
• Successful completion of a Higher Education qualification with 120 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits (or equivalent). Your qualification should be in an area related to education, for example the study of special educational needs and disabilities, children’s learning and development (including atypical development). In addition, you must also have GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme. You must be in employment or voluntary work in an appropriate registered setting (for a minimum of 120 hours per year) and have support from your employer. If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum of IELTS 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent.

Start Dates

• 22 September 2025

Duration

• 2 years part-time

Course Detail

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Teaching and Assessment
• Teaching excellence

Core Modules

Understanding Children's Health and Wellbeing

Through this module you will explore different aspects of the health and well being of children and young people and become equipped to evaluate the wider public health agenda, national trends and supporting legislation. You will evaluate how legislation, policy, research and health promotion models support the chosen promotion and how this may impact on children or young people’s lives.

Inclusive Approaches to Education

In the module, you will examine definitions and different understandings of inclusion and models of disability, considering a national and global context. You will explore the impact these different definitions and models have on educational policy and practice and critically analyse current approaches to inclusion in a range of settings. You will develop your understanding of approaches to inclusive planning, teaching and assessment that ensures accessibility, challenge and achievability for all pupils.

Researching the Major Study

This module forms the first part of a two module package (along with Major Study in Education) which constitutes the project that demonstrates the application of the skills and knowledge acquired within the course. It leads to a project plan which will be implemented in the second module. The focus is on preparatory and background activities leading to a detailed project proposal.

Major Study in Education

This module builds on the Researching the Major Study module. You will undertake a substantial piece of work (dissertation) on a relevant topic in education, which is of particular interest and relevance to your practice. Your dissertation may be literary (an in-depth study of theories, texts, themes), empirical, based on the design, development and evaluation of an enterprise or resource or a combination which has been negotiated with your tutor.

Teaching and Assessment

You’ll be taught through a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials and interactive workshops. You’ll also have a personal tutor who’ll be assigned to you throughout your top-up degree to support your ongoing wellbeing and ensure that you have a positive learning experience. Assessment takes place through a variety of seminars, essays, presentations, independent research, discussions and delivering teaching/training using digital technologies.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - part-time

The maximum fees we will charge for UK based students on undergraduate courses in 2025/26 will be £1,589 per 20 credit module and £2,384 per 30 credit module per year for part-time students (subject to parliamentary approval). We review and revise fee levels in line with inflation (RPI-X) and regulatory permissions. Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision and examinations. For more information about funding, fees and finance for UK students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see Fees and finance.

Additional Costs

• Your placements could be in Huddersfield or surrounding areas, so please consider any travelling costs you may incur.
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required to enable you to undertake placements in settings with children. We arrange this as part of the application process. Please note that there may be a charge for the DBS check.

Career Support

The course is designed to support your progression in to more senior roles in education roles related to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion. 86.5% of undergraduate graduates from the School of Business, Education and Law who are in work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduation.

Research Excellence

Our researchers carry out work that makes a real difference to people's lives:

• We are in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power.
• Three quarters of all our research is world leading and internationally excellent.
• Over 60% of our research environment was classified as world leading and internationally excellent, especially in Music, Biological Sciences, Architecture and Built Environment, Social Work and Social Policy, History and Communication and Media Studies.