Special Educational Needs and Disability

You will find aspects of SEND throughout our society, including education, health and social care. This course will allow you to share your passion for working with similar minded students and staff, who are keen to make a difference to the lives of individuals living with disabilities and difficulties. It is important that their experiences and voices are fundamental in research and practice.

This distinctive degree prepares you for a broad range of roles where you can improve the life experiences of individuals with special learning needs. You can 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.

• Prepare for roles where you can make a genuine difference – from family liaison and inclusion support to teaching assistance and mentoring
• Build an in-depth understanding of the theories, factors and contexts for special educational needs and disability (SEND)
• Student feedback from surveys such as NSS has indicated that they think that the teaching and listening to their voice is excellent
• Undertake work placements to develop your practical, professional and intellectual skills
• Learn from experts in the fields of education, health, psychology and social work to gain real insights into professional life
• Chart your future direction at a university with a strong track record for employability: 96% of Derby graduates were in work or further study within six months of completing a full-time degree
• If you already have a Foundation degree then and wish to top it up to a full BA (Hons) then you can do so by applying directly to the university
• If you complete this course and meet the entry requirements for our PGCE Primary, we will guarantee you an interview - see below for full detail

This course prepares 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.

Why study BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs and Disability?

Thinking about a career in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)? Our students share why they chose to study BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs and Disability at the University of Derby. From passionate tutors and engaging course content to strong student support and high satisfaction rates, hear what makes this course a great choice. Whether it's the opportunity to specialise in areas like Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities or the inspiring classroom debates that shape future professionals, this degree offers an enriching and transformative experience.

Explore a range of videos to gain an overview of this course on this YouTube playlist.

Specialist knowledge to take you far

You’ll 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’ll also explore the possible psychological, sociological, philosophical and biological causes of SEND.

Successful SEND support relies on collaboration from a range of professionals including carers, social workers, special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) and therapists. 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.

Gain vital practical skills on placement

Throughout the course you will collaborate with organisations and practitioners to develop your employability skills, knowledge and experience knowledge into your chosen career in a range of SEND contexts. This focus underpins our focus on placements and live projects.

You will undertake two placements as part of your studies, giving you important insights into professional practice. You can choose to be based in a variety of settings such as hospitals, schools, social services, adult provision or charitable organisations. In your second year, you will have the option to undertake study and a placement abroad.

Our students have worked with a range of employers and voluntary organisations, including:

• SEND Dynamic (a SEND advocacy charity)
• Derby City Council SEND project Employment and Skills team, Parent & Carers Forum
• Transition2 - post 16 SEND provider
• Kedleston Hall
• NELLIE - Social care and education services
• Wendy - Cromford Mills
• Portland college
• Students Union
• Derbyshire Law Centre
• Walsall Football Club
• GB Wheelchair Rugby
• Hubbub dance and movement

Be inspired by our expertise

Our course is delivered by 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.

The University has a growing reputation as a centre for excellence in SEND and inclusive practices, which means your course is underpinned by latest theories and innovative ideas. 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.

Draw on our professional networks

Our strong professional links enrich your learning and introduce you to leading practitioners. 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 who are working to ensure positive, effective and inclusive education across the special and mainstream sectors.

As part of this professional community, you’ll be able to 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.

You will have access to a wide range of books and journals relating to SEND. These includes both physical texts and ebooks and journals. You will produce digital and physical resources which can be used to support issues such as sensory and physical needs, within a range of contexts and placements. You will work with providers to collaborate on developing resources to support their practice alongside the course material.

You will have opportunities to share your knowledge and experience with others in a range of contexts such as Open Days, conferences and working with students from other courses who share our modules.

You will access a range of assessment types, including writing blogs, creating podcasts, producing web pages and TED talks, presentations and shared projects with employers.

Pursue your personal interests

The three pillars which underpin the course (research, application to practice and the impact of SEND on the lived experience of individuals and others) are embedded throughout the course. You will study a range of issues identified within the SEND Code of Practice: Cognition and Learning needs which includes learning difficulties, dyslexia and dyspraxia, Social Emotional and Mental Health difficulties such as ADHD, Communication and Interaction needs such as speech, language and autism, Physical and Sensory needs. You can then apply these areas of need to a specific context and focus of your choosing.

We offer a choice of optional modules so that you can tailor your studies to match 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.

Guaranteed interviews for our PGCE Primary

If you complete this degree and meet the entry requirements for our  course, we will guarantee you an interview during your final year of undergraduate study (subject to places being available). 

Places on our PGCE are highly sought after, so we recommend you apply as early as possible once UCAS opens.

Terms and conditions:

• There are a limited number of places on the PGCE Primary. Once the course is full, applications will close and no further interviews will be held
• Interviews are guaranteed for students who meet the entry requirements for the PGCE Primary, including GCSE grades, degree classification, experience and successful completion of the Skills Tests
• An interview does not guarantee an offer to study on the course

Expert teaching

You will be taught by a team of SEND experts, who have worked in a range of contexts including primary, secondary and tertiary education, as well as in HE. The team support teachers and other professionals in their practice. Staff regularly present their research and experience of SEND at national and international conferences. Each member of the team has expertise in a range of SEND policies and practices, including autism, SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health), ADHD, speech, language and communication, national and international policies and practices. You can develop your own focus of research working with a supervisor, in the Dissertation module.

What to expect from this course

Hear from Trevor Cotterill, Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs and Disability, as he provides an overview of what to expect from studying this course. 

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We’ll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

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

There are no exams. You’ll be assessed through small group work, individual peer presentations, completion of directed tasks and drafting of tasks, tutorial discussions and coursework.

Graduating from this degree has enabled our students to embark on a range of careers such as teaching, social care, advocacy, play, animal and speech and language therapies, counselling, law and uniformed services amongst others.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Additional entry requirements

• 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

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

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.