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Special Educational Needs and Disability

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

This course will prepare you for a broad range of roles where you can improve the life experiences of individuals with special learning needs. You'll gain an in-depth understanding of all aspects of SEND, harnessing the latest research to stimulate your thinking and challenge your ideas. You will also have the opportunity to undertake work placements in the areas of education, health, or social care to develop your practical, professional, and intellectual skills within real-world environments.

Education at Derby has been ranked 2nd for teaching (National Student Survey 2025) and Top 5 for student voice (National Student Survey 2025).

Our distinctive degree paves the way to some of the most rewarding, inspiring and satisfying careers of all – working in special educational needs and disability support:

  • Prepare for roles where you can make a genuine difference – from family liaison and inclusion support to teaching assistance and mentoring

  • Build an in-depth understanding of the theories, factors and contexts for special educational needs and disability (SEND)

  • Undertake work placements to develop your practical, professional and intellectual skills

  • Learn from experts in the fields of education, health, psychology and social work to gain real insights into professional life

  • Chart your future direction at a university with a strong track record for employability

  • If you already have a Foundation degree then and wish to top it up to a full BA (Hons) then you can do so by applying directly to the university

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
X361
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 104 points

A level - BCC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM

Access to HE Diploma - D: 15 credits M: 24 credits P: 6 credits

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits with 45 at Level 3

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification

T Level - M

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

English language requirements

IELTS overall score at a minimum of 6.0; with at least IELTS 5.5 in each band (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) or another Secure English Language Test(SELT)at CEFR level B2 or above

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We have excluded the Grades on Entry data for this course. We may operate some flexibility with entry grades to support widening participation, though most of the students that enrol on this course achieve the published entry tariff or above. Applicants who achieve grades below the published tariff may be offered an alternative course or a 4-year route if there is one available. For further information please contact askadmissions@derby.ac.uk.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course and 1 other education and teaching course
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

63% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

65 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

85 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£16900*Year 1
International£16900*Year 1
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1
Channel Islands£9535*Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The quoted fee is an indicative fee based on last year’s fees, as the fees for the 2026 term not yet been confirmed.

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