Undergraduate BA (Hons)

Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion

Gain an understanding of the challenges, complexities and rewards of inclusive practice and develop the knowledge and skills required of an inclusive practitioner.

Open days Apply now via UCAS

Course Overview

UCAS code

X361
Institution code

L27
Main location

Headingley Campus Beckett Park
Attendance

Full-Time
Duration

3 Years
Start date

20 Sep 2021

Gain an understanding of the challenges, complexities and rewards of inclusive practice in education. This innovative degree will help you develop your identity as an emerging practitioner, working with children and young people across the 3-18-year age range within mainstream and specialist settings.

You will examine how children learn from a psychological perspective and identify ways in which you can support their needs through building examples of best teaching practice, overcome barriers to participation, and creating inclusive and enabling environments.

You will explore what it means to celebrate diversity, considering the role of language and culture, how to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), and investigate the importance of whole school approaches when working with displaced children who have experienced trauma. Through this study, you will begin to develop ideas to promote inclusion for all learners.

Working with different stakeholders in educational settings, you will gain an understanding of the policy and practice behind their collaboration. This work, taking place between families, education, health, and care services, supports children and ensures young people have their voices heard and their needs met. Through this, you will also explore key issues in safeguarding to understand best practice.

You will also demonstrate knowledge of a range of social, economic, political and cultural issues that have shaped the education system over time and have ultimately impacted children’s life chances.

Investigating associated research and practices from around the world, you will identify global perspectives on current issues, such as mental health and wellbeing, and you will document your findings in the form of a literature review for your dissertation.

You will undertake a unique research experience drawing on the creative arts to investigate and present an investigative journey that explores how to engage and empower specific learners.

You will join a cutting-edge community of like-minded peers and teaching experts in the Carnegie School of Education, which includes Research Centres for LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, and Race, Education and Decoloniality. Our specialist team draws together academics and industry professionals who continue to shape and influence policy in education.

Through professional experiences and work-related activities, you will have the opportunity to attend both mainstream and wider educational settings, including specialist schools and charitable organisations, either in the UK or abroad. You will reflect upon your experience from both settings as part of your module assessment.

Guest lectures and networking events will further refine your knowledge, allowing you to learn from researchers and people working in the field. You will also be supported to develop a professional portfolio, as well as presentation and interview skills, through carefully designed taught elements and assessments to help you prepare for your future career aspirations.

For course news and updates, and to join the discussion, visit our Twitter page.

Why study Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion at Leeds Beckett University...

Learning linked with experiences in schools and specialist settings
Professionally experienced expert teaching team
Guest lectures from current practitioners and leading researchers
Strong and meaningful partnerships with schools and community organisations
Dedicated pastoral care team

Everything you need to know

Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.

Entry requirements

104

points required

If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.

Find out more

Entry requirements

104

points required

UCAS Tariff Points: 104 points required.

(Minimum 64 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies).

If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.

GCSEs:

GCSE English Language at Grade C or above (Grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.

Access to HE Diploma:

Pass overall with a minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points.

Scottish Awards:

Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade B at Higher Level.

Irish Leaving Certificate:

Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade C1 or above at Higher Level of which at least 3 must be at B2.

Selection Criteria

Due to the popularity of this course, we may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.

International baccalaureate

24 Points

IELTS

IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.

DBS Check

Satisfactory enhanced criminal history checks will be required by all applicants prior to acceptance on the course, (processed through the University only). The University is unable to accept DBS checks obtained through another institution (this includes those registered with the DBS Update Service); the checks undertaken by the University are appropriate to the course of study and relevant regulated activity placements. For important information on the UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check requirements please refer to the Guidance on DBS and Additional Checks.

Self Declaration Check

You will be asked to complete this online form as part of the DBS check process. You will be asked to identify on the self-declaration form if you have any cautions/convictions that would not be filtered out on a DBS certificate. Please refer to the following website for guidance on filtering. The form will also ask if you have resided outside of the UK after the age of 16, to establish if an Overseas Police Record check may be required.

Overseas Police Checks/Letter of Good Conduct

The DBS in the UK is currently not able to conduct overseas criminal record checks. International applicants; those without British Citizenship and British Citizens with a significant period of overseas residency of 12 months or more after the age of 16; therefore, require a criminal records check or certificate of good conduct from their home/overseas country(ies) prior to entry on to the course. A UK DBS check will also be required prior to enrolment; the DBS team will send you guidance on how to apply following your offer of a place. The application process and timeframes for Overseas Police checks can differ from country to country and so it is recommended that you start the process as soon as possible after you have been made a conditional/Unconditional offer to ensure you have enough lead in time to obtain the check prior to enrolment. For some countries, an individual can only apply in person and so it is preferable for those applicants still resident in the relevant country, to apply before entering the UK.

Our commitment to help every student succeed:

Leeds Beckett University is committed to ensuring that every student with the potential to succeed at our University is able to do so regardless of their background. For this reason we operate a contextual admissions policy, which means we take into account a range of additional factors when we assess a student’s application. Applicants who meet at least one of our contextual admissions criteria will be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points than our published tariff (above).

Our contextual admissions criteria are:

Home postcode is in an area where few people go to University (POLAR4 quintile 1 or 2 area. This can be checked on the Office for Students website)
Declared disability on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part time applicants)
Over the age of 21 on the 1st of September before the course starts
Declared as a care leaver on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part time applicants)

Our place as an Anchor Institution:

Leeds Beckett University is in the top 10 universities nationwide for being representative of our local community. To further strengthen our position as a key provider of education and training for West Yorkshire we apply an Anchor Institution Policy in our admissions process. Students who apply to us from any of the five Local Authority areas in West Yorkshire (BD, HD, HX, LS, WF) will be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points.

Mature applicants:

Our university welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable..

All applicants should meet our standard entry requirements of GCSE grade C in English language and, where specified, Maths. Alternative qualifications such as functional skills are accepted in lieu of GCSEs for most courses.

Don’t quite meet these requirements?

Discover our Foundation Year

If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.

Selection Criteria

Due to the popularity of this course, we may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.

International baccalaureate

24 Points

IELTS

IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.

DBS Check

Satisfactory enhanced criminal history checks will be required by all applicants prior to acceptance on the course, (processed through the University only). The University is unable to accept DBS checks obtained through another institution (this includes those registered with the DBS Update Service); the checks undertaken by the University are appropriate to the course of study and relevant regulated activity placements. For important information on the UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check requirements please refer to the Guidance on DBS and Additional Checks.

Self Declaration Check

You will be asked to complete this online form as part of the DBS check process. You will be asked to identify on the self-declaration form if you have any cautions/convictions that would not be filtered out on a DBS certificate. Please refer to the following website for guidance on filtering. The form will also ask if you have resided outside of the UK after the age of 16, to establish if an Overseas Police Record check may be required.

Overseas Police Checks/Letter of Good Conduct

The DBS in the UK is currently not able to conduct overseas criminal record checks. International applicants; those without British Citizenship and British Citizens with a significant period of overseas residency of 12 months or more after the age of 16; therefore, require a criminal records check or certificate of good conduct from their home/overseas country(ies) prior to entry on to the course. A UK DBS check will also be required prior to enrolment; the DBS team will send you guidance on how to apply following your offer of a place. The application process and timeframes for Overseas Police checks can differ from country to country and so it is recommended that you start the process as soon as possible after you have been made a conditional/Unconditional offer to ensure you have enough lead in time to obtain the check prior to enrolment. For some countries, an individual can only apply in person and so it is preferable for those applicants still resident in the relevant country, to apply before entering the UK.

Additional entry requirements:

Verify your qualifications

If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

Need to improve your English Language skills?

Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.

Teaching & Learning

Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.

Our silver status in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework, reflects our commitment to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.

Modules, Workload & More

Fees & Funding

£9,250

Home / EU 2021

The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2021/22 is £9250. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.

£13,000

International 2021

The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2021/22 is £13000. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.

Find out more

Our BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs, Disability & Inclusion degree is designed for students who want to make a difference for all children and young people, but especially those with special educational needs and disabilities. At the Carnegie School of Education, we believe all children should have the best possible life chances; through this degree, we are committed to support students to become specialist inclusive practitioners.

Esther Cummins Lecturer

Carnegie School of Education

Creating inclusive practice does not only mean establishing spaces, resources and opportunities for diverse pupils, it requires us, the practitioners, to reflect on our own assumptions and understandings of inclusion. This degree enables that reflection through rich content embedded in research and informed by the lived experiences of diverse people in diverse contexts.

Katarzyna Fleming Lecturer

There are some big questions that scholars have been grappling with for the last 20 years, including who is seen as 'normal'? Who belongs? And who is excluded? This course looks into these questions. This is a degree shaped and informed by the most up-to-date research and taught by staff with expertise and vast professional experience in critical disability studies, disability studies in education, inclusive education and practice, co-production and many more.

Dr Antonios Ktenidis Lecturer

Your future in our hands

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.

Career Prospects

Whether you want to work as a teaching assistant, develop your ability to work as an inclusive practitioner, or are starting out on your teacher training journey, this course will encourage you to think differently and prepare for an exciting career in education. You will develop the tools to become a professional inclusive practitioner, promote inclusion within education and help to make a difference to the lives of children and young people.

Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCo)
Class teacher
Education centre manager (alternative provision)
Individual needs assistant

Esther Cummins

Lecturer / Carnegie School of Education

Esther is a Lecturer in Education, drawing on her experience as a class teacher and senior leader in primary schools across the country. She believes in the power of education and uses this belief to underpin her teaching and research.

Visit Esther's staff profile Visit Esther's staff profile

Scholarships and bursaries

We are committed to ensuring that the opportunity to experience an education here at Leeds Beckett University is open to all. If you're thinking of joining us to study for your undergraduate degree, you may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary.

Bursaries are usually awarded depending on household income, whilst scholarships are available for a number of areas, and are based on sporting or academic excellence. For more information visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

Beckett Careers Team

Our Beckett Careers Team will support you with all aspects of your career planning, throughout university and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a part-time job or want to gain experience alongside your studies, need help preparing an application or exploring graduate job options, we can provide expert support every step of the way!

Throughout your university journey and up to five years after you graduate you'll have access to a broad range of support and tools to help you with: