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 is ranked in the Top 30 in The Guardian University Guide 2024
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A Level | DDD |
| T Level | Pass |
| BTEC | MMP |
| 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 |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 21 |
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
2025 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A Level | DDD |
| T Level | Pass |
| BTEC | MMP |
| 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 |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 |
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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).
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.
Contact us Contact us 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.
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