Program Overview

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

The Education (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion) BA(Hons) course is designed for those who work or volunteer in a relevant role and is aimed at fitting alongside existing employment. The course is suitable for individuals seeking to progress their career in special and inclusive education contexts, mainstream schools, or business and non-governmental organizations.

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, taking account of their individual requirements. This course examines how policy and legislation have contributed to our understanding of children and young people with SEND, investigating theories of development and learning, and considering how these can be used to underpin practice in supporting these learners.

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 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.
• Teaching on this course typically takes place on Saturdays, approximately 8 times per academic year, to ensure flexibility and access for those working within schools, colleges, and other childcare settings during the week.
• 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.

Entry Requirements

• 112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of A Levels or Level 3 qualifications in Early Childhood, Learning Support, or a related educational area.
• Merit in T Level.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
• 112 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.
• If you already have a level 4 or higher qualification such as NVQ level 4 or 5 or Foundation Degree relating to the course, you will be considered for entry directly into Year 2 or above.
• In addition, you must also:
  • Have GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above (grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme), or equivalent.
  • 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.
• You must also demonstrate during an interview that you have sufficient general academic skills to be able to undertake the course.
• If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent.

Course Detail

The course is structured over four years, with an emphasis on work-based practice. Module content gives you the opportunity to gain underpinning knowledge in a range of essential subjects. You'll be encouraged to develop your own particular interests by choosing an option module after Year 3.

Core Modules:

• Academic Skills for Study: Develops your academic study and communication skills necessary for successful study at degree level.
• The Professional Practitioner: Nurtures independent learning and emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to enhancing professionalism and practice through structured workplace learning.
• Theories of Learning and Development: Explores significant theories and research that underpin development and learning for children, young people, and adults.
• SEND: Understanding policy and practice: Studies current understanding of SEND and its impact on inclusion, examining the statutory and regulatory context for SEND equality and the implications for practice.
• Safeguarding in Practice: Raises awareness of current legislation, policies, and procedures that exist to promote children and young people's rights and to keep them safe.
• Child Development and SEND: Explores theories of child development from historical, psychological, and sociological perspectives, examining how children with SEND are constructed within these narratives.
• Developing Language, Literacy and Numeracy: Develops your understanding of language acquisition, literacy development, and maths development in children, young people, and adults.
• Person-centred Approaches: Studies current policy and legislation related to person-centred approaches within education, health, and care settings for children and young people with individual learning needs or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Inclusive Approaches to Education: Examines definitions and different understandings of inclusion and models of disability, considering a national and global context.
• Researching the Major Study: Forms the first part of a two-module package that constitutes the project demonstrating the application of the skills and knowledge acquired within the course.
• Major Study in Education: Undertakes a substantial piece of work (dissertation) on a relevant topic in education, which is of particular interest and relevance to your practice.
• Understanding Children's Health and Wellbeing: Explores different aspects of the health and wellbeing of children and young people, becoming equipped to evaluate the wider public health agenda, national trends, and supporting legislation.

Teaching and Assessment

You'll be taught through a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and interactive workshops. Teaching on this course typically takes place on Saturdays at the University campus to ensure flexibility and access for those working within school and other childcare settings during the week. Assessments vary and include essays, developing creative and teaching resources to support children's learning, student-led seminars, presentations, and timed tests.

Career Support

Successful completion of this course will enable you to progress in special education in a range of organizations, including special and inclusive educational contexts, schools, businesses, Local Authorities, and the non-governmental sector. This course is suitable for those seeking to work with local, national, and international charities involving children and young people.

Fees and Finance

The maximum fees 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). Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations.

Additional Costs

• Your placements could be in Huddersfield or surrounding areas, so please consider any traveling costs you may incur.
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required to enable you to undertake placements in settings with children. There may be a charge for the DBS check.

Important Information

When you enroll as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations, and associated policies. It is essential that you familiarize yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.