BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs and Disability Studies - Full Time

Location

Applicant Type

University Level

Level

Level 6

Subject

Teaching & Training

Course Overview

UCAS Course Code: X161 - This course is validated by the University of East Anglia (UEA).

This programme is for those looking to progress to teaching, social work or management in the special education and social care sectors and will give you the skills and knowledge you need to create safe, stimulating and supportive learning environments.

Key Highlights

You will undertake valuable work placements that are linked your assessments
Placements often lead to employment
No exams, assessment is observation based, essays, research projects, presentations, MCQ Exams, short answer tests, Portfolios
The flexibility of the course allows you to balance other commitments

The BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Studies degree provides you with the theoretical and legislative skills that allow you to work in a variety of educational and care settings supporting those with specific needs (including learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health issues). The programme includes a work placement which will enable you to apply what is learnt in the classroom to the workplace environment and vice versa. This will give you the opportunity to share practice and experience throughout the degree.

The course will allow you to become familiar with workplace policies and to be aware of how these are put into practice. You will become familiar with a range of tools for assessing needs and the type of strategies and resources that may be used to support those with various needs. You will also learn to understand the skills required to gather and utilise evidence to underpin, support and evaluate practice.

This course is also available as a Certificate of Higher Education (Level 4) which follows year 1 and 2.

Course Structure

Year 1 (Level 4):

Introduction to Theoretical Perspectives in Education and Disability Studies
Legislation and Policy for SEND
Introduction to Specific Needs
Policies, their procedure, and practice in workplace setting
Effective Working Practices
Introduction to SEND Inquiry

Year 2 (Level 5):

Identifying and Supporting Individual Needs
Understanding Autism and Neuro-diverse Needs in Practice
Developing and Delivering Learning Support Programmes
Action Research
Educational Inquiry
Language Development and SEND Practice

Year 3 (Level 6):

Workplace Based Project
Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD)
Practice and Digital Innovation in SEND
Exploring Wellbeing and Mental Health in Childhood and Adolescence
Protection and Vulnerability

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 64 UCAS points from one or more of the following:

Access to Higher Education Diploma
A Levels
T Levels
BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma
GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C (old specification) or Grade 4 (new specification) or above OR a Level 2 equivalent such as Functional Skills

This list is not exhaustive, other qualifications may be considered. Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio/showreel of work, personal statement and reference.

Entry to this course will also be based on the quality of your application, personal statement and reference. An enhanced DBS check is required before you begin your placement and is included within the course fees. DBS identification documents will be verified as part of the admissions process.

Applicants who have lived overseas will be required to provide a criminal record check or certificate of good conduct from their country or countries of residence before starting the course.

Exceptional entry: Mature applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements but have relevant qualifications, professional or voluntary experience are encouraged to apply. Suitability may be assessed through an interview, portfolio and/or written assessment. For advice about your application, please contact HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk.

Assessment and Feedback

Contact hours: You will have 13 hours of contact time per week across two days consisting of 2-4 hour lectures/seminars and tutorial and dedicated one-to-one support when necessary.

Independent learning includes reading journal articles, books, periodicals and preparing coursework and presentations. A range of excellent facilities, including the library and online learning resources, the Learning Resource Centre and the Forum supports this.

You will:

Be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops, which enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of independent learning
Be expected to complete necessary work placements during every year of the course
Receive formative feedback as part of your modules and taught sessions with your module lead
Receive summative comments on all formal assessments undertaken by coursework

You will be assessed using a variety of methods including:

Essays
Research Projects
Presentations
MCQ Exams
Short Answer Tests
Portfolios

Written feedback is provided to students within 20 working days of submission through Turnitin.

Fees and Funding

The cost of this course is £9,790 for 2027 entry.

Fees are per academic year for Home/UK students.

Future study/career options

Possible career routes include teaching in:

Primary school
Special needs schools
The post-compulsory sector

Graduates teach in schools designated for children with mild and severe learning disabilities, or managing special units, community care centres or training centres. This degree also prepares you for employment in a wide range of other social care or educational settings.

Students wishing to pursue further study may continue at postgraduate level or continue in vocational training at another institution.

Previous graduates have gone on to:

The Primary SCITT programme and then into teaching
PGCE and teaching in lifelong learning sector
MA in Social Work
Mental health and care management
Student support services and pastoral management
Managing behavioural units
Working in a pupil referral unit and where an Early Years practitioner qualification (level 3) has been held into Early Years (0-5 years) SEND role

Most graduates also undertake teacher training.

Study Commitment

3 years

Additional Information

Full Time