Special Educational Needs
UCAS Code: Combined Honours only – see combinations tab|Duration: 3 years|Full Time|Hope Park|UCAS Campus Code: L46Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Special Educational Needs (SEN) at Liverpool Hope University is an interdisciplinary subject underpinned by the work of the Centre for Culture and Disability Studies (CCDS). Studying Special Educational Needs at Liverpool Hope University will enable you to develop an understanding of the complex relationship between disability and society. You will explore the ways that disability studies can inform our understanding of the medical and social models of disability and learn the importance of this in working with children with so-called special educational needs. The degree incorporates insights from education, the arts, humanities and health care, to ensure you gain a critical understanding of the relationship between disability and education.
A central aspect of the course is an understanding of medical and social constructions of Special Educational Needs from a historical as well more recent perspectives. You will gain a knowledge and understanding of the importance of cultural representations in shaping individual and societal relationships with disability.
By completing this degree, you will have gained an awareness of global perspectives on disability studies, inclusion, education and society as well as an understanding of the role of disabled people as activists working for equality. This degree will enable you to develop your professional and personal confidence in advocacy and education. You will enter your professional life recognising the importance of criticality, compassion and understanding of your work with, and on behalf of, those who are disabled and/or identified as having a special educational need.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups, and tutorials which typically have no more than 10 students. You will also use the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Moodle and will have a one-to-one meeting with your tutor each week.
For the Special Educational Needs part of your Combined Honours degree, in your first year of study there are approximately 6 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 5 teaching hours in your second and third years. On top of teaching hours, you are also expected to spend 12-14 hours studying independently each week, as well as studying in groups to prepare for any groups assessments that you may have.
Assessment and feedback
Throughout your three years of study you will have a number of assessments, including a portfolio, essays, written exams, posters, an annotated bibliography, journal analysis and information pack. In your final year you complete a dissertation research project.
You will receive formative and summative feedback. This will include written feedback with opportunities for a one-to-one discussion of feedback with your tutors.
Year One
Introducing Special Educational Needs
Your first year introduces you to the history of disability and the education of disabled children. You learn about historical and contemporary policy and legislation in education. You will also explore different cultural representations of disability including those found in the news, advertising, literature, charities, comedy and film. You will explore key differences between the medical and social models of disability and there relevance to education. Finally, you look at educational ideas and practices that cause disablement and inequality.
Year Two
Exploring Special Educational Needs
In your second year, you learn about compulsory educational contexts and the relationship between impairment and educational provision. You will study the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice and will explore contemporary issues in provision. You will critically analyse the broad areas of need: cognition and learning; mental health; communication and interaction; physical and sensory impairment and develop alternatives ways of thinking about disability in education.
You will learn about the importance of research that is led by disabled people as well as emancipatory and participatory research and practice in researching disability. You will identify an area for your own independent research project.
Year Three
Advanced Studies in Special Educational Needs
During your final year, you will draw on the most recent research in disability studies to explore the range of influences which shape disabled people's lives, relationships and education. You will critically reflect on contemporary issues in disability and education and develop your own philosophy for taking this work into practice.
You will develop and design creative approaches to inclusive education, using ideas and techniques at the forefront of the field of disability studies, SEN and inclusion. You will also carry out an independent research project or dissertation on a topic of your choice.
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBC |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 112 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access to HE | 112 Tariff Points |
| IB | 28 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 112 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| Subject Requirements | No specific subject requirements |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
Graduates of this degree have the opportunity to pursue a range of professional qualifications in education both within schools and in other settings. Many students choose to progress to a PGCE course at Liverpool Hope University to train as a teacher, or continue their studies through a number of Masters available at the University, including an MA Disability Studies. Students may also progress to a postgraduate qualification in social work or our MA in Youth and Community Development.
The degree can also inform your future role as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), an Inclusion Support Co-ordinator, Behaviour Support Worker or Learning Mentor. In addition, this course offers opportunities for employment in areas such as disability inclusion and as a disability support worker.
Study in Special Educational Needs is also highly relevant to those who wish to work in community or charitable organisations.
Enhancement opportunities
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are £9,250 for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,250.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Additional costs
On top of tuition fees, you also need approximately £200 to purchase key textbooks and to cover the cost of any fieldtrips.
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at university. Visit our accommodation pages for further details about our Halls of Residence.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2022/23 are £11,400.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course combinations
This course is also available as a Combined Honours degree with the following subjects: