BA (Hons) Special Education
Course overview
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Teaching and Education
Attendance
Full-time, 3 years
Full-time, 4 years
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
This intellectually challenging and thought-provoking course offers you a hugely rewarding undergraduate experience here at the University of East London.
It opens up the world of Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and offers you the chance to enter the world of work with confidence. We’ll equip you for a range of careers helping to bring about a more inclusive society.
Our course takes you on a fascinating journey through this complex area. You’ll learn about every aspect of the subject in line with government policy, including autism, speech, language and communication, challenging behaviour, disabilities, dyslexia, therapeutic teaching and learning, as well as alternative educational provisions.
You’ll develop a reflective approach to special education and critical thinking skills that are transferable to the workplace.
Students on this course come from all over the country because its content is so comprehensive. Many already work with children with SEND.
We’ll give you the opportunity to bring your own passion and experience to the course. We put an emphasis on sharing and discussing personal experiences to enrich our teaching.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out morePlacement
Optional placement year available
95%
Our overall student satisfaction score (NSS, 2019)
75%
Percentage of our graduates who work in Special Educational Needs. Of which, 61% work in care and personal services while 18% progress to professional or managerial positions (Unistats, 2017).
Teaching and Learning
You will develop a reflective approach to special education and critical thinking skills which are transferable to the workplace.
James Bennett
Special Education, BA (Hons) undergraduate,
Without doubt, the best thing about my course at UEL is the dedicated and knowledgeable lecturers that I’ve been taught by. I’m well supported in my learning. I feel valued in the classroom and inspired to learn and progress further in my field.”
Fees and funding
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Maintenance Loan
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation. How much you can borrow depends on where you live and study, and whether you are currently on welfare benefits. The maximum loan you can apply for is £12,382.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Supplementary Grants
The government also offer the following additional support:
- Parent’s Learning Allowance
- Adult Dependants' Grant
- Childcare Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
Bank Of England Scholarship Programme
European Funding GuideThe Student Disability Association Fund
Some courses offer the option of a placement year, giving you the chance to gain valuable work experience in a relevant industry between your second and third years. If you are an international student on a Tier 4 visa, you are able to undertake a placement if it is an integral and assessed part of your course.
In 2018/19 placement year tuition fees are set at £1,060.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will automatically be cancelled.
For information visit gov.uk/student-finance
Please note EU students can only apply for their funding using a paper application form.
To download a form visit www.gov.uk/student-finance-forms
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
Bank Of England Scholarship Programme
European Funding GuideThe Student Disability Association Fund
Some courses offer the option of a placement year, giving you the chance to gain valuable work experience in a relevant industry between your second and third years. If you are an international student on a Tier 4 visa, you are able to undertake a placement if it is an integral and assessed part of your course.
In 2018/19 placement year tuition fees are set at £1,060.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
At UEL, we understand that studying in another country is a big financial commitment. If you apply early for an undergraduate, you may be entitled to a scholarship of up to £3,000.You can find out more about the international scholarships here.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082233333 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages (www.uel.ac.uk/isa) for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
Deposits and paying by instalments
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
- September 2021
-
Degree
112
New UCAS Points
Access to HE Diploma (QAA approved) with 60 credits overall and 45 credits at Level 3
We will also consider the UEL New Beginnings pre-entry course
Level 2 equivalences such as Level 2 Functional Skills in English / Maths, Level 2 Key Skills in Communication / Application of Number and Level 2 Adult Literacy / Adult Numeracy
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more.
What you'll learn
This course will give you a broad and in-depth understanding of current practice, policy and theoretical concepts in the field of Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
It covers the concepts of equal opportunity, inclusion, children’s rights and working in partnership and it will also give you a good understanding of teaching and learning.
You’ll learn about the historical development of special education and about specific areas such as communication and interaction, challenging behaviour, specific learning difficulties and management.
You’ll also explore theoretical perspectives on inclusion and look at actual models of inclusive practice such as the modern-day policy of teaching children with special needs in mainstream schools.
In addition, you’ll learn about educational organisations, the social context of learning and the development of children as learners. We’ll show you how to evaluate the language of special needs in relation to the concepts of equal opportunity, rights and disability.
You’ll also have the chance to look at SEND from an international perspective through modules such as Critical Global Perspective in Special and Inclusive Education, which outlines international agreement, partnerships and thinking.
What you'll study and when
We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up-to-date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.
- Mental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 1 (Core)
- Exploring Social Worlds (Core)
- Key Principles for Inclusion (Core)
- Emerging Research Communities (Core)
- Practice module Part 1 Technical and procedural knowledge for SEN practice (Core)
- Practice module Part 2 Technical and procedural knowledge for SEN practice (Core)
- Mental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 2 (Core)
- Identity and Social Justice (Core)
- Building Research Communities (Core)
- Contemporary Issues in Education (Core)
- Specific Learning Difficulties (Core)
- SEND Careers (Core)
This course offers the opportunity of year-long placement between years two and three. If you choose to take this option, you’ll spend your third year on a placement with a relevant company or organisation, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.
The extra placement year means it will take four years to complete your studies, instead of three.
- Mental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 3 (Core)
- Critical and Global Perspectives on Education (Core)
- Volunteering (Core)
- Communication and Interaction (Core)
- Active Research Communities (Core)
How you'll be assessed
We assess all modules through different forms of coursework. Assessment methods include course work assignments, self reflective assignments and individual tutorials.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: 100% coursework
Year 2: 100% coursework
Year 3: 100% coursework
In addition to writing traditional essays, you’ll be required to write reports, policy reviews and give presentations. This is to ensure you gain skills that are relevant to and can be transferred to the workplace. In your final year, you’ll write a research dissertation.
All grades count towards your module mark.
More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides.Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL’s assessment and feedback policy.
How you'll learn
In addition to innovative digital research methods we offer dual delivery which combines traditional on-campus face-to-face teaching and online teaching simultaneously, allowing you to interact as if you were there in person. You can move smoothly between online and on campus teaching subject to your individual timetable (and health requirements). Students can interact and collaborate in person and online in any of these live-streamed sessions. Live-streamed sessions will also be recorded, so you can login when you want, playback and watch from the comfort of your home and whilst on the go.
Practical on campus sessions are scheduled in blocks with online options. We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.
You will be supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students. If you need support with certain skills such as academic writing, our Skillzone and English for Academic Purposes offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments will help you to achieve your potential.
You’ll be taught by staff with relevant experience and practice to ensure you learn from real life experience and research. We offer dual delivery which combines traditional on-campus face-to-face teaching and online teaching simultaneously, allowing you to interact as if you were there in person. You can move smoothly between online and on campus teaching subject to your individual timetable (and health requirements). Students can interact and collaborate in person and online in any of these live-streamed sessions. Live-streamed sessions will also be recorded, so you can login when you want, playback and watch from the comfort of your home and whilst on the go.
When not attending timetabled lectures you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, Microsoft Teams and Moodle.
We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7.
You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses.Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised help desks to cater for your every need.
We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.
UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs). Your overall workload consists of class and online tutor led sessions, individual learning, practical activities.
Our aim is to prepare our students for a broad range of careers, so that they can make amazing contributions to their communities. When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Class sizes:
20-30
Who will teach on this course
Graham Robertson
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
Your future career
There’s an increasing demand for skills in Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and 75 per cent of our Special Education graduates go on to work or study in this field.
Of these, 61 per cent go into caring and personal service occupations, while 18 per cent move into professional or managerial positions.
Our teaching team’s strong relationship with local schools, SEND organisations and loyal alumni means you’ll have plenty of contact on the course with potential employers through work placements, mentoring, careers fairs and guest lecturers.
As a graduate of this course you could apply to train as a teacher, for example via a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) course. The University of East London offers PGCEs specialising in SEND in primary education and a number of secondary subjects. Our staff are readily available to support you and give you advice.
Alternatively, you might consider working within the public and private sectors as a teaching assistant in a school, or train as a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, social worker or in the wider caring industry.
Other postgraduate avenues open to you at UEL include Postgraduate Certificates in Autism Spectrum Conditions and Learning, Understanding and Supporting Behaviour and Special Educational Needs Co-ordination.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
