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Education (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion) (Top-up) BA(Hons)

2025-26 (also available for 2026-27)

Undergraduate Open Days

Start date

22 September 2025

Duration

2 years part-time

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. Advance your career: this course could you help you progress to a senior role within SEND and inclusion.
  2. 93.4% of our undergraduate students go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating.
  3. You'll use your place of work as a reference point to put theory into practice.

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have the right to educational support that values and respects them as learners, and takes account of their individual requirements. This course is aimed at those who work or volunteer in a relevant role and is designed to fit alongside this existing employment. Whether you want to progress your career in special and inclusive education contexts, mainstream schools or business and non-governmental organisations, this course could be for you.

Why Education (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Inclusion)?

  • You'll examine how policy and legislation have contributed to our understanding of children and young people with SEND. You’ll also investigate theories of development and learning, and consider how these can be used to underpin practice in supporting these learners.
  • Your place of work forms a key element of the course allowing you to put theory into practice. To ensure flexibility and access for those working within schools, colleges and other childcare settings during the week, teaching on this course typically takes place on Saturdays, approximately 8 per academic year.
  • While you're here, you'll learn from professionals with a wealth of experience in a range of educational and SEND contexts, and have the opportunity to reflect on how your learning can be applied to practice, with placements in different settings across the course.
  • Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in teaching, support work, the charitable sector, within Local Authorities, early years, further education or many other possibilities, this course will equip you with the knowledge and practical experience you need.

Course detail

Core modules:

Critical Approaches to Inclusive Education

On this module you’ll examine definitions and different understandings of inclusion and models of disability, considering a national and global context. You’ll explore the impact these different definitions and models have on educational policy and practice. You’ll also critically analyse current approaches to inclusion in a range of settings, as well as develop your understanding of approaches to inclusive planning, teaching and assessment that ensures accessibility, challenge and achievability for all pupils. Assessment typically takes the form of an in-class debate and an annotated teaching plan for an activity you’ve designed.

Option modules:

Choose one option module from a list which may include:

Supporting Learning in Young Children

You’ll be introduced to the principles of effective teaching for supporting children’s learning. You'll learn about the concept of inclusion, the principles of both medium and short term planning, and a variety of perspectives on planning and teaching. Assessment is typically via peer presentation and the development of a written, reflective report.

Health and Wellbeing

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally one of the following:

  • A Higher National Diploma, Foundation Degree, or equivalent.
  • An initial teaching qualification from a recognised teacher education institution.
  • Successful completion of a Higher Education qualification with 120 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits (or equivalent).

Your qualification should be in an area related to education, for example the study of special educational needs and disabilities, children’s learning and development (including atypical development).

In addition, you must also have GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme.

You must be in employment or voluntary work in an appropriate registered setting (for a minimum of 120 hours per year) and have support from your employer.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum of IELTS 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of Pre-Sessional English Programmes.

For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Your career


The course is designed to support your progression in to more senior roles in education roles related to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion.

86.5% of undergraduate graduates from the School of Business, Education and Law who are in work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduation. (HESA Graduate Outcomes 21/22, UK domiciled graduates)

86.5% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Important information

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

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Education (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion) BA(Hons)

If you’re currently employed or volunteer in the children’s workforce and are passionate about working with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, our course will help you develop the professional knowledge and skills you need. You’ll develop high quality practice and underpinning knowledge to help you progress as a SEND and inclusion practitioner.

Find out more How to apply

Part-time

Undergraduate