Psychology and Special Educational Needs

Psychology

Psychology is the study of people, with a particular focus on individuals. Knowledge and skills cultivated within the discipline enable practitioners to intervene at personal, inter personal and systemic levels in order to enable people to live better lives. Choice of programmes allows students to study a course that reflects their prior interests, lived experience, or future goals. Ethical practice and working within a shared set of values is also important to us; our University is deeply committed to serving the common good. We see Psychology as a discipline with the capacity, and responsibility, to make a positive contribution to how people live in everyday life.

In our teaching of Psychology, we strive to enable our students to grow into constructive citizens who are curious about people, and motivated to make a positive difference to the lives of others. Beyond classroom learning, there are opportunities to enrich your chosen programme of study in a way that will help you in developing your psychological thinking. They include going on a placement, working as a research assistant in a laboratory, travelling to another country as part of Global Hope, or under the Erasmus study abroad scheme.

Special Educational Needs

Studying Special Educational Needs at Liverpool Hope University will enable you to understand the relationship between disability and education and will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to educate others about the nature of disability. The degree incorporates insights from education, as well as drawing on work in the arts, humanities and health care, to ensure you gain a broad and balanced understanding of the principal features of education in a wide range of contexts.

A central aspect of the course is an understanding of medical and social constructions of Special Educational Needs and Disability, the legal requirements regarding provision for SEN/Disability and a critical understanding of past and contemporary practices. You will gain a knowledge and understanding of the global perspectives on special education and disability, and issues relating to children and families, as well as having the ability to critically engage with professional expertise.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) is an interdisciplinary subject underpinned by the work of the Centre for Culture and Disability Studies (CCDS). You will become a professional who is knowledgeable and skilled in this field. You will enter your professional life recognising the importance of compassion and understanding of your work with, and on behalf of, those who are disabled and/or identified as having a special educational need.