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LOCATION
Stratford Campus
Location Fees and Funding
Here's the fees and funding information for each year of this course
Overview
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.
What makes this course different
Foundation Year
Find out more about our flexible Early childhood studies, Education and Special Needs foundation pathways.
Find out more
Placement
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).
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.
MODULES
- Core Modules
Mental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 1 CloseMental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 1
This module will provide students with the opportunity to identify the skills, competencies and experiences required for youth work and a range of potential future career areas.
Students will be supported to recognise the areas for their own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences) through taught and workshop activity.
Central to the developmental process is for each student to cultivate their reflective skills, openness and self-awareness to enable themselves to assess what they are doing, identify areas for improvement and confidently receive and give constructive feedback. Students will additionally develop knowledge and strategies for advancing their own emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences and improve their health and well-being.
Exploring Social Worlds CloseExploring Social Worlds
This module will develop your understanding of people's social and cultural experience in a range of contexts and will prepare you to think about practical support for children's, young people's lives and rights. You will learn about a range of theoretical perspectives that will help you understand the experiences of children, young people and young adults. As part of this module you will present key recommendations for improvements to their lives.
Key Principles for Inclusion and Diversity CloseKey Principles for Inclusion and Diversity
- To provide a broad and critical historical review of the development of the field of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), and the legislative frameworks underpinning its practice.
- To introduce and develop awareness of concepts, terms, definitions and debates within the field
- To introduce critical disability studies and consider the experience of SEN and Disability for diverse social groups
- To provide a critique of the individual deficit model of disability and a critical focus of social oppression theory in the context of commitment to equal opportunities and human rights.
Emerging Research Communities CloseEmerging Research Communities
This module will provide you with the opportunity to develop skills associated with problem solving, critical thinking, logical reasoning and researching.
Over the space of twelve weeks, you will work with experienced researchers and academics in the Education subject area at the School of Education and Communities. You will build an active research community of your peers, which will be cultivated over your three years at the University of East London. Staff will continue to support and scaffold this community of research in Level 5, culminating in your own independent research project at Level 6.
During lectures, you will explore the most appropriate research methods within your discipline accounting for ethical, cultural and social issues. You will be introduced to the key concepts, principles and stages of the research process, engaging with real-life examples from existing and ongoing research in your field of study. During workshops and tutorials, you will work collaboratively with your peers. You will develop the ability to read and compare current and ongoing research literature in your discipline. You will determine the credibility of sources and reflect on the research processed used.
The assessment for this module will be in the form of collaborative group work. It will be submitted as an e-portfolio consisting of two sections (i) an infographic/e-poster (ii) 1,500 written comparison of two pieces of academic research. You will be guided by experienced staff members to achieve the digital proficiency necessary for this assessment, skills which will be beneficial to a future career in any industry.
Practice module Part 1 ClosePractice module Part 1
This module will introduce you to ideas about the ways children develop.. You will study key theories of development and learning and learn about contemporary practices used to support children’s physical, social, cognitive and language development in the early years. You will have the opportunity to observe in early childhood settings and discuss the way theory and practice are integrated.
Practice module Part 2 ClosePractice module Part 2
You will gain an introduction to key pedagogical theories and explore how these relate to effective teaching and learning within an early years context. Through experiences with children's resources such as books and games you will learn to practically apply pedagogical theories to children’s learning. There will be opportunities to apply this knowledge in practical contexts during visits to early years settings.
- Core Modules
Mental Wealth: Introduction to Academic and Professional Identity/Practice CloseMental Wealth: Introduction to Academic and Professional Identity/Practice
This module is the first of four rungs on the Career Passport pathway which recognises the importance of acknowledging the value of skills, competencies and experience (SCE) beyond academic subject assessment to aid the graduate in securing a job and support career acceleration.
The module will allow students the opportunity to acquire tangible evidence to support their employability narrative, at intervals as the progress throughout their academic studies.
Areas of focus will include intelligence and digital proficiency. Individual intelligence which includes intrapersonal ability to identify, assess, and regulate one’s own emotions and moods; to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions and where one has to make consequential decisions for oneself. These areas will be covered under four areas, emotional, social, physical and cognitive intelligences.
Digital proficiency will provide students with an environment to explore their ability to use ICT effectively; to understand the implications of the proliferation of technology and access to information; and to develop competencies to realise opportunities in the connected digital social and economic space. All UEL students should have access to a Digital Skills Planner (and accreditation programme) to ensure all get to ‘Digital Competence’ level. Where degree-appropriate, a further Digital Expertise route would be available.
Introduction to Early Childhood, Special Needs and Education CloseIntroduction to Early Childhood, Special Needs and Education
To prepare students for degree level study at the University of East London, by:
· To introduce students to some of the key concepts within the discipline of the Early Childhood Education, Special Education and Education Studies
Social, Emotional and Mental Health CloseSocial, Emotional and Mental Health
· To reflect on what is meant by behaviour. In doing this, students will be encouraged to consider the effect of issues including stereotyping, expectations and language on how such ‘challenging’ behaviour might be described.
· Students will consider a range of views on how best to support children who may display SEMH difficulties, including the importance of working with parents/carers and specialist agencies.
Placements in Context - Play and Learning ClosePlacements in Context - Play and Learning
· To understand that young children are learning all the time at home, in the community and in whatever setting they are placed
· To become familiar with different learning environments and settings that support children’s learning and development.
· To understand that young children are learning all the time at home, in the community and in whatever setting they are placed
· To gain an insight into how to observe children closely and to use this as the basis for planning for supporting children’s learning and development.
· To consider carefully the role of language, talk and play in supporting the learning and development of children
· To explore issues relating to language, cultures, needs and interests
· To understand the importance of reflection in practice
Skills for Academic and Professional Writing CloseSkills for Academic and Professional Writing
To prepare students for degree level study at the University of East London, by:
- Assisting students to manage their own learning and identify, reflect upon and develop their transferable skills
- Providing students with the necessary study skills in the areas of academic writing, information retrieval, and presentation skills
- Providing students with an understanding of theory relevant to studying early childhood, special education and education studies in higher education
Research in Practice: Live Project CloseResearch in Practice: Live Project
- To consolidate knowledge and understanding of topics covered across the foundation programme
- To understand the importance of digital literacy and its role in employability
- To gain an insight into how to design a video presentation and writing scripts
- Plan, prepare and execute a video presentation based on a topic discussed as part of the programme.
- Respond to guidance, affording opportunity for contextualisation and improvement of the representation for project work
- Demonstrate confidence and professionalism in preparation, management, selection and contextualisation of practice, preparing and representing live project work using appropriate skills in communication
- Core Modules
Mental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 2 CloseMental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 2
This module seeks to develop the key psychological determinants of human performance which are increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial era.
This module will provide students with the opportunity to apply several of the skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in a range of potential career areas.
Students will continue to build upon and advance the skills and concepts they learnt in Level 4 to further develop their emotional intelligence, emotional literacy, reflective skills, and self-awareness.
Students will have the opportunity to explore the skills and knowledge involved in entrepreneurial activities by practising and engaging with self and others in analysis, critical-thinking, problem solving and research.
Identity and Social Justice CloseIdentity and Social Justice
In this module students will extend their critical understanding of theory and research from a range of social science disciplines used to explore and analyse the lives and experiences of children and young people (including education, psychology, sociology, human geography and social policy). Students will explore issues of social justices, critically considering:
· how these aspects are addressed within key policies, organisations (including grassroots and third sector), and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;
· the micro- and macro- influences on the lives of children and young people, such as biological, social, economic, political, cultural and/or generational influences, with particular attention paid to issues of inequality and intersectionality;
· the extent to which educators/practitioners influence these aspects of the lives of children and young people;
· children and young people's rights and the extent to which they actively influence these aspects of their own lives.
During the module, students' campus-based studies will be complemented by engagement in educational and community settings, allowing them to develop a critical awareness of current issues relating to the lives of children and young people, and to actively engage in consideration of how drawing upon research evidence from social science disciplines can enable them to affect change in the lives of the children and young people with whom they work/may work in the future.
Building Research Communities CloseBuilding Research Communities
Building Research Communities follows on from the Level 4: Emerging Research Communities by further developing knowledge and understanding of research theories, concepts and processes and the research skills required for independent, ethical and applied research. This module is rooted in the principles of research informed teaching which includes learning about research findings in their field of study; learning research processes and methodologies and learning to work in research 'mode' which builds on pedagogical principles of enquiry-based, active, collaborative and experiential learning, supporting students to engage in critique and discussion in a 'research community of practice' (Lave and Wenger, 1998).
At Level 5: Developing Research Communities focuses on developing students' understanding of research theories, concepts and processes and the research skills required for independent, ethical and applied research. The module will introduce students to key issues in research methodology and design, such as how to develop research questions, using research literature, addressing ethical issues, designing data collection tools and organising and analysing data. Students will explore a range of qualitative research techniques, including interviews, questionnaires, observational studies and documentary research. Students will also be encouraged to reflect on wider questions about how educational and early childhood research helps us to understand social worlds and can impact on policy and practice. This module will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out an applied research project at Level 6.
In this module students will be supported by a range of workshops to develop research, analytical, and presentation skills, alongside ongoing reflective writing. The module is assessed entirely by coursework with a mixture of individual and group learning experiences. Students are assessed individually.
Contemporary Issues in Education CloseContemporary Issues in Education
During this module the students will engage in discussing and analysing contemporary issues in education and heighten their awareness of the relationship between empirical evidence and academic arguments in advancing their understanding. The students will be able to develop their skills in evaluating the evidence and arguments related to contemporary debates. Also, the students will be able to construct theoretical arguments in advancing public representations of educational issues.
Having successfully completed this module the students will be able to evaluate and demonstrate different positions in some contemporary debates about issues in education. Also they will be able to use a range of sources to further extend their knowledge and understanding of issues relating to education, and to critically examine contemporary debates and issues in education.
Specific Learning Difficulties CloseSpecific Learning Difficulties
SEND Careers CloseSEND Careers
- Optional Modules
Optional placement CloseOptional placement
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. - Core Modules
Mental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 3 CloseMental Wealth: Academic and Professional Skills for Life 3
This module will provide students with the opportunity to apply a full range of skills, competencies and experience required for successful development in a range of potential education related career areas.
They will advance the areas identified in their level 5 studies for their personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences) through taught and workshop activity.
Through engagement with the Career Passport students will reflect upon the success of the strategies that they employ to further develop their reflective skills, self awareness, 'life style' 'self care' approaches and where necessary improve these.
Students will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with fellow students, academic staff and external stakeholders, on an applied project involving the application of key leadership and management skills. In doing so students will apply and develop cognitive, cultural and social intelligences learnt elsewhere in their studies, which will enhance their graduate employability.
Critical and Global Perspectives on Education CloseCritical and Global Perspectives on Education
· To develop critical awareness of current educational policy, practices and provision relating to special and inclusive education
· To develop critical awareness of the similarities and differences between contexts in terms of special and inclusive education developments in policy and practice
· To consider the inclusion of children with special educational needs from an international perspective
Volunteering CloseVolunteering
The aims of the module are to:
• enable students to have their learning from volunteering accredited as part of their study
• engage students with critical knowledge and understanding of the motives for voluntary action.
• provide students with the opportunity to critically reflect upon their learning and development whilst undertaking voluntary activity
• support students to identify their strengths and areas for development
• enhance employability prospects
Communication and Interaction CloseCommunication and Interaction
Independent Research Project CloseIndependent Research Project
You will have the opportunity to initiate a small-scale applied research study that addresses an issue, topic or challenge within the broad field of education, special education or early childhood. The applied research will support professional formation and contribute to knowledge within the wider community.
The module is designed to guide you towards design, implementation and completion of an applied research project undertaken in collaboration with a relevant external organisation (the nature of which will be discussed and agreed with the relevant module leader). You will develop a range of theoretical, methodological, academic and practical skills and knowledge.
You will apply these in a practice context to address a real-world problem through ethical research practice, professional engagement and problem solving leading to research dissemination.
The chosen area of applied research will be demonstrably linked to the personal interests and professional aspirations of the student within the field of education, special education or early childhood. Through supervision you will shape and agree a proposal for a viable and ethical applied research project.
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
Coursework will include assignments, self reflective assignments, presentations and group work.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
- Year 1: 100% coursework
- Year 2: 100% coursework
- Year 3: 100% coursework
You'll be taught by staff with relevant experience and practice to ensure you learn from real life experience and research. We encourage an educational experience that is active, social, collaborative, engaging and student-owned. You will have access to a variety of resources ensuring your learning experience goes beyond the classroom.
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.
Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students. If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential.
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 helpdesks to cater for your every need.
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 a 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: 30
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.
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.
CAMPUS and FACILITIES
Stratford Campus, Water Lane, Stratford
WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE
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.
Graham Robertson
Graham Robertson is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Early Childhood & Education.
See full profile
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."
James Bennett
Special Education BA (Hons) undergraduate
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.
