Special Educational Needs and Disability (With Foundation Year)

This degree provides a thorough grounding in research, theory and practice across the broad field of SEND, and includes opportunities to engage with professionals in the real world of work. Through a powerful mix of theory and its practical application, you explore concepts such as needs, inclusion and disability, relating them to policy, everyday practices and decision making. This in-depth course has been designed and is taught by specialists with a reputation for integrating theory, research and practice in SEND.

Foundation Year
In the Foundation year you will study three days per week. The focus will be on academic writing skills and numeracy, plus subject-specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree. It provides a balance between content related to your chosen subject and the range of wider skills required for undergraduate study. This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will be required to pass the foundation year in order to progress to the first year of your degree. This course is ideal for those who do not meet our standard entry requirements or those with a non-standard educational background. It will allow you to graduate with a full undergraduate degree in your chosen subject in four years.

Facilities and Specialist Equipment
- Specialist Early Years and Sensory Centre to support your understanding of how teachers teach and children learn, within SEND contexts.

- Forest School where you can deepen your understanding of the long-term educational benefits of outdoor learning opportunities and learning in SEND.

- Classrooms with specialist technology so you can watch and assess different teaching approaches within SEND teaching.

- Multi-media space for webinars and podcasting.

- Wide range of sports facilities.

Partnerships and Collaborations
- We have well-established partnerships with more than 500 schools and other associated organisations.

Your Student Experience
- Deepen your knowledge, experience and understanding through placements and visits to relevant, professional organisations.

- Gain the ability to reflect sensitively on the issues and barriers young people with SEND face in education while exploring ways to address them.

- Benefit from the support of your own personal tutor as well as unit and course coordinators.

- Broaden your understanding through regular visits by professionals from schools and academy chains; SEN schools; local education authorities; and other involved agencies.

- Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well.