BA Hons Education Special Needs and Disability

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Chichester

Program Overview

This degree gives you a deep understanding of education, disability, and special needs within schools, early years settings, and community contexts. It’s ideal if you want to make a positive impact working with children or adults who have special educational needs or disabilities—whether that’s in schools, social care, or educational charities.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, you’ll enroll in eight compulsory modules that lay the groundwork for your study of development, equality, and diversity. You’ll examine human development from childhood to adulthood, tackle issues of equality of opportunity and social justice, and delve into individual differences by exploring how biology, environment, and other factors contribute to diverse learning needs. You'll also study learning communities, historical perspectives on education philosophy, and how science has shaped education in society, while exploring speech, language and communication, including augmentative communication and sign language.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll take six core modules and two electives. You’ll build your knowledge around inclusive pedagogy, educational policy, and the legal and social frameworks that support disability education. Optional modules may include Disability Studies, Understanding Families, or Mental Health and Wellbeing, letting you tailor your degree to your interests in SEND. You also continue building research and professional practice skills as you work on collaborative projects with real-world educational settings.

Year 3

In your final year, you study four core plus four optional modules, giving you flexibility to specialise. A mandatory Independent Project lets you design research that aligns with your career ambitions, for instance in educational policy, intervention strategies, or community development. Other specialist options include Engaging All Learners, Moral Issues in Education, and Comparative Education, giving you the tools to critically evaluate inclusion, design teaching practices, and work across different sectors.

Focus areas

Social justice and inclusion, special educational needs, educational policy, developmental psychology, communication and interaction, mental health, community and global perspectives on disability.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to critically understand and apply theory and research relating to SEND, design and support inclusive learning interventions, reflect on and contribute to policy and practice, and work confidently in educational or community-based organisations supporting people with disabilities.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The course offers placement opportunities in a variety of settings — special schools, mainstream schools, early years, social care organisations, community projects, and more. This hands-on experience prepares you for careers in education, SEND support, charity work, and further study (such as PGCE or a Master’s in Inclusive Education).

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Chichester is highly regarded in education — its Education department is known for strong student support, real-world placements, and a social justice ethos. The BA (Hons) Education, Special Needs and Disability course is ranked well for graduate prospects, and students have commented on the high quality of teaching and the course’s relevance to policy and practice in education and social care.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you study this BA (Hons) Education, Special Needs and Disability degree at Chichester, you’ll be immersed in real-world educational projects, practical placements, and community engagement — not just academics. The course encourages you to work collaboratively with local schools, social care organisations, and community settings so that you understand the lived experience of people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Through forest school, beach school, and other outdoor learning environments, you’ll see how inclusion works beyond traditional classrooms.

You’ll explore how policy, social justice, and educational theory connect to practice by engaging with guest speakers, working on live educational projects, and reflecting on current issues in SEND. Over the second and third years, you’ll complete placements in a variety of settings — from special needs schools to community organisations — helping you build a strong, practice‑oriented portfolio.

Here’s how the practical learning is structured:

Real‑world educational projects: You'll investigate and contribute to community-based SEND projects, collaborating with local education providers to design inclusive interventions.
Outdoor learning experiences: Modules include forest school and beach school sessions, helping you understand alternative pedagogies and inclusive learning in natural settings.
Teaching & interactive learning formats: Your learning involves lectures, workshops, case studies, whole-group and sub‑group discussions, and practical sessions — all aimed at helping you engage deeply with SEND theory and practice.
Work-based placements: In Years 2 and 3, you’ll be placed in a range of real settings, such as special needs schools, mainstream schools, early years settings, museums, or community organisations.
Independent research project: In your final year, you complete an independent project that often relates to SEND issues — this builds your ability to research, reflect, and contribute academically and professionally.
Mentoring and support: Small class sizes mean your tutors get to know you well; you will regularly reflect, receive feedback, and refine your understanding of inclusive education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the University of Chichester’s BA (Hons) Education Special Needs and Disability are prepared for a wide range of educational and support roles. Career paths include Special Educational Needs (SEN) Coordinator, Inclusion Support Practitioner, Educational Consultant for NGOs, Youth Support Worker, and Community Learning Facilitator. Many graduates also progress into teaching via a PGCE or into roles in social care, health, and local government, supporting children and adults with disabilities.

Why This Programme Stands Out:

Strong Theoretical + Practical Foundation — The course provides in-depth knowledge of educational theory, SEND policy, developmental psychology, and inclusion, combined with real-world experience through placements.
Real-World Projects & Community Engagement — Students engage in practical educational projects and community activities, including placements in special needs schools, early years centres, and non-school settings.
Placement Opportunities — In Years 2 and 3, you complete placements in special needs schools, primary/secondary schools, community organisations, theatres, and museums, giving hands-on experience.
Rich, Inclusive Curriculum — Modules cover topics such as development from childhood to adulthood, equality & diversity, speech and language, augmented communication, and technology in learning.
Small Class Sizes and Supportive Teaching — The programme offers personalised attention, discussion-led classes, guest lectures, and hands-on learning experiences such as outdoor learning and forest school.
Well-Resourced Campus — Students have access to a large library, subject-specific support, a dedicated learning resource centre, and other student services.
Long-Term Value & Social Impact — The course emphasises social justice, equal opportunity, and inclusion, preparing you to make a tangible difference in educational settings for people with disabilities.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this BA (Hons), students can:

Move into teacher training (e.g., PGCE Primary or School Direct) to teach in schools.
Pursue a Master’s in Inclusive Special Education to deepen understanding of SEND policy, pedagogy, and advocacy.
Continue to MRes or PhD-level study in Inclusive Education, Disability Studies, or Special Educational Needs for academic, policy, or research careers.