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
Make a difference in your career
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.
A strong focus on real world learning
To ensure that you’re ‘career ready’ when you graduate, you’ll learn a range of practical techniques to support individuals both inside and outside the classroom.
As part of your studies, you’ll undertake two placements which will give you important insights into professional practice. You can choose to be based in settings such as hospitals, schools, social services, adult provision or charitable organisations.
Expertise, influence and inspiration
You will learn from a dedicated and enthusiastic team, including experts in the fields of education, health, psychology and social work. They will share their experiences with you and provide fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of working in SEND.
Our course is underpinned by the latest theories and innovative ideas in SEND and inclusive practices. Our lecturers regularly publish their work and have conducted important studies into a wide range of subjects, such as managing the inclusion of SEND pupils in the classroom.
Raise your professional profile
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.
A vibrant learning experience
We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, welcoming learning environment where you will receive plenty of encouragement and guidance. Our tutors are approachable, dedicated and passionate about their subjects.
You’ll learn in our Kirtley Building which offers first-rate facilities, including specially designed collaborative learning spaces and a large hall for practical activities and observing learning in action.
Build a course that matches your interests
Our choice of optional modules means that you can tailor your studies to reflect your personal interests and career aspirations. These could cover themes such as autism in children and adults, attention disorders, diversity in social, emotional and behavioural development, and diversity in communication, speech and language development.
To broaden your horizons further still, you also have the opportunity to spend part of your course studying abroad. Under the Go Places, Go Further international exchange scheme, we have agreements with universities in Amsterdam and Brussels where you can explore a new culture and add an extra dimension to your CV.
Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
Throughout the degree, you’ll be supported and encouraged to develop your capacity to evaluate, analyse and critically engage in the field of SEND, drawing on a wide range of learning, teaching and assessment activities. As you progress, you’ll be expected to undertake increasing responsibility for independent self-directed study, drawing on the range of resources available to you. At all levels, you are invited to engage in e-learning opportunities.
How you'll be assessed
During your foundation year you will be assessed mainly by coursework, and with some in-class tests.
From stage one onwards, there will be no exams and you'll be assessed through small group work, individual peer presentations, completion of directed tasks and drafting of tasks, tutorial discussions and coursework.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
September 2021 typical entry requirements
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| Specific requirements at A-level | No specific subject requirements |
| Specific requirements at GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study. |
| IELTS | 6.0 (with 5.5 in each skills area) |
| Interview / Audition | N/A |
| Portfolio | N/A |
Alternative entry qualifications:
- BTEC - MPP
- Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied. More information.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
Taking this course with a foundation year gives you a clear and smooth transition to the full honours degree qualification. On graduation, you will be equipped for a wide range of careers in the SEND sector, including family liaison, advocacy, inclusion support, teaching assistance, mentoring, adult education and careers services.
There are opportunities to progress to postgraduate study in areas such as health, psychological services and social care if you would like to take your skills and knowledge to the next level.
Please note that this course does not lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). However, if you’d like to train to be a teacher, you can apply to study one of our postgraduate courses, such as PGCE Primary or PGCE Post-14 (Education and Training).
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information below is correct for entry in the academic year September 2020 - August 2021 only. Entry for future academic years may be subject to change.
Included in your fees
- £100 book voucher provided centrally by the University
- Deaf awareness workshop
- Education Studies Conference
- Education Studies Symposium
- SEND Conference
- Print credit for 200 black and white copies on a pro-rata basis dependent on student status i.e. whether full-time/part-time students; this is reviewed annually
- Initial DBS check
- All placement travel costs outside the one day a week in semester 2 of stage 2
- Induction activities and trips
- A range of in class visitors/expert guest speakers to enhance your learning
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Print costs above the allowance
- Binding of IS dissertation at stage 3, approx. cost £6
- Replacement DBS if lost, approx. cost £50
- Placement travel costs that exceed £5 per day for one day a week in semester 2 of stage 2 only
Optional costs not included in your fees
- All placement travel costs outside the one day a week in semester 2 of stage 2
- Field trips abroad that offer enrichment opportunities – these are optional, approx. cost £430-£1000
- Memberships to sports clubs and societies encouraged but not mandatory, approx. cost £17 for Athletic Union membership plus club fee, £7 for societies card plus society fee
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
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