BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 3 Year
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
- UCAS Code:
- XX31
- Grades/points required:
- BCC - BBB (104 - 120)
Why study this course with LJMU?
- Opens up careers in a wide range of areas such as social care, teaching, health and social work
- Broad range of placements opportunities with local schools and links to special needs providers
- Lecturers are passionate about inclusion and this is reflected within the sessions
- Guest speakers deliver sessions from a wide range of relevant professions
- You will be taught in the Education Building based in the University's Mount Pleasant campus
- 94% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on our education courses were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024)
About your course
Do you want to support people with a range of special educational needs and disabilities throughout their learning journey? This unique degree will develop your critical understanding of education and inclusive practice, leading to a diverse range of careers. We're a team of passionate and experienced lecturers who use research, practice and community links to shape your learning.
Additional course costs
There are no costs for off site day trips embedded into Core and Option modules. Optional international placements will have a cost attached.
Working with people who have disabilities or special educational needs is both challenging and rewarding. It requires an open mind and a flexible approach so that you are able to discard preconceived ideas and embrace alternative views and new ways of working.
Through multidisciplinary enquiry, the course examines the socio-political and historical context that has often marginalised people within particular communities and pockets of society in general. The course explores in detail how the education system is working for, and in many cases challenging for, children with SEND. We consider the experiences of children and young people with a range of conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, learning difficulties and attachment disorders. We critically examine how the organisation and structure of education can create barriers to learning and participation for pupils with SEND.
Throughout the course, there is a constant emphasis on the link between theory and practice, in order for students to become critically informed and reflective practitioners.
The course brings together all aspects of education such as the effects of poverty and social exclusion, and curriculum development. Lying at the heart of this course are the needs and rights of children, and your moral and professional role in working with them.
The course explores education in its broadest sense and draws on aspects of sociology, history, politics, psychology and philosophy to provide an understanding of current educational thinking and practice. In your second year of study there is an extended work placement, so that you can gain the experience and practice you need before embarking on further study or a career.
The course gives you enormous scope to tailor your studies to your own interests through optional modules, research and work-related practice.
Please note: Mature applicants with sufficient relevant experience may be invited to attend an interview.
Course modules
What you will study on this degree
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Core modules
Optional modules
Core modules
Optional modules
Professional accreditation
We have links with local organisations and schools who provide a range of interesting work placements, including Sure Start Centres, International Schools, Children and Adult Mental Health Services and bereavement support organisations.
Your Learning Experience
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
To fully support your learning experience, this course has a number of guest speakers from a wide range of organisations who come in to talk about their role and that of the organisation e.g. Portage, Children and adult mental health Services, bereavement counsellors from a children's hospital and a children's hospice.
Work-related Learning
The programme aims to provide a good set of work-related experiences for you that will enhance your career options. In the second year (Level 5) the programme provides the opportunity to undertake a four week block placement or project at the start of the second semester within a wide range of organisations.
There is also an opportunity to get an international perspective on your future career through work experience abroad.
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
You will be assigned a personal tutor who will help and support you to become an independent and autonomous learner as you progress through your course. This kind of one-to-one support is particularly useful for discussing course-related issues or concerns you may have during your studies.
Library Services teams also offer a fantastic range of support and guidance services, including online help guides, online chat facility and on-site help.
Our dedicated Student Advice and Wellbeing (SAW) team provide a wide range of services including accommodation advice, disability support, counselling and money matters.
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
A wide range of assessments are used throughout the three years of study. These include presentations either individually or as part of a group. Some modules within the course use poster presentations as part of the assessment. Students may be required to compile a portfolio of differing forms of assessment. Artefacts and essays are also part of the assessment range.
Your marks and feedback will be available within 15 working days of submitting a piece of work. Thats because we believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to develop further.
Where you will study
Based in the Education Building in the heart of the Mount Pleasant campus, the School of Education features a wide range of cutting-edge facilities, including a pedagogy room, lecture rooms, computing facilities and a nearby Forest School for outdoor learning. Students also benefit from independent study spaces, a close-by cafeteria and library, and access to student welfare and support.
Course tutors
Dr Karen Broomhead
Programme leader
Karen has over ten years experience of supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within schools and the community, having worked previously as a Support Worker for children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, Inclusion Support Worker, Summer School Officer and Teaching Assistant
Karen has over ten years experience of supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within schools and the community, having worked previously as a Support Worker for children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, Inclusion Support Worker, Summer School Officer and Teaching Assistant
Karen is Joint Programme Leader (with Dr Mia Smith). She is also the Disability Co-ordinator for the School of Education. Karen predominantly teaches on Education Studies modules, as well as those related to the Education Studies and Inclusion programme. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, after completing the PG Cert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education at LJMU in 2014. She is also a PhD supervisor. Karen completed her PhD at Lancaster University in 2013, which was funded by a studentship awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council. Her PhD thesis focused on the home-school relationships between parents of children with Special Educational Needs (particularly those with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties) and educational practitioners.
This course is really inspiring for anyone looking to gain a greater knowledge of Special and Additional Needs Education, with many great opportunities and a lovely team of lectures that support you throughout your studies at LJMU. The modules such as 'Supporting the Family' and 'Inclusion for All' were two of my favourites, as you have a chance to listen to stories from professionals and parents working or caring for children with SEN, as well as learning in depth about a range of different needs and the best ways to support them.
Career paths
This course is ideal if you want to pursue professional qualifications as a teacher (following a PGCE/PGDE course), special educational needs coordinator or inclusion support coordinator, behaviour support worker or learning mentor. If you prefer to work in the social care and health field, you might want to consider a career as a disability inclusion officer, local authority disability coordinator or disability support worker. With further training, you may wish to pursue a career as a counsellor within a range of differing settings. Alternatively, your degree could lead to a career in community or charitable organisations.
Following the completion of this first degree, many of our students choose to continue their studies at Masters and Doctorate level.
Postgraduate Teacher Training
LJMU graduates who meet the entry criteria are guaranteed an interview for your chosen PGCE course.
Our PGCEs carry Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), so after successfully completing the one-year course, you will be qualified to teach the age range of students covered in your programme.
As well as our Core PGCE courses, we also offer School-led programmes with our partner schools across the North West.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.
Tuition fees and funding
- Full-time per year:
- £9,535
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.
Financial Support
The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications: BCC - BBB (104 - 120)
Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.
Qualification requirements
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
Your university life
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The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
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