Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

• Study a course designed for professionals working in the field of Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)
• Gain experience on a course that’s been developed with employers in the sector
• Specialise in areas that are appropriate to your work and interests
• Develop the knowledge, understanding and professional skills to progress in your practice and contribute to bringing positive outcomes to children and young people.

Please note that you will study this course at one of our partner colleges:

• Barnet Southgate College
• Chesterfield College
• Derby College

This part-time course is designed for professionals working in the field of Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) and has been developed with employers. It will enhance your ability to bring positive outcomes to the children and young people you work with. A range of relevant modules allow you to specialise in areas appropriate to your context. You will study this course at one of our partner colleges.

As you progress through the course you’ll develop as a confident, knowledgeable and effective practitioner when working with children and young people with SEND and their families within your context. It places emphasis on the knowledge, skills and competencies you’ll need to work effectively and inclusively with this group of children and young people in ways that will bring them positive outcomes.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You’ll study a mixture of theory and practical work and reflect on your practice.

How you're assessed

For information on entry requirements, please contact the partner college you wish to study at.

2024/25

For fee information, please contact the partner college you wish to study at.

2025/26

For fee information, please contact the partner college you wish to study at.

Please apply directly to the College at which you wish to study:

• Barnet and Southgate College
• Chesterfield College
• Derby College

You can progress on to stage three of an honours degree, for example BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs and Disability or BA (Hons) Education Studies with optional SEND pathway.

Many of our graduates have gone on to senior roles within their practice and workplace settings.

In recent years many of our graduates have:

• moved ahead in their vocational field - they are in senior roles, leading practice and settings.
• continued on to achieve a bachelors degree.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Download programme specification

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.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

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.

Other courses you might like

• Special Educational Needs and Disability with Foundation Year BA (Hons)
• Special Educational Needs and Disability BA (Hons)
• Education Studies with optional pathway in SEND or TESOL BA (Hons)
• Education Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons)