Special Educational Needs and Disability Studies

This is the perfect degree for those who have an interest in Special Educational Needs and Disability and would like to work with children, young people and/or adults who have special educational needs or are disabled, and their families and carers. The course has been designed by both academics and professionals working in disability and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) contexts.

Our BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs and Disability Studies enables you to recognise the key elements of exclusion in society and provides you with the tools to challenge this. You'll explore a number of theories and models regarding disability which will give you the confidence and the knowledge to work towards a more inclusive society.

You will experience placements alongside taught modules, enabling theory to be put into practice. Sessions are delivered by professional practitioners to ensure that the degree remains up-to-date and relevant, as well as inspiring our students around potential careers and future research. We'll encourage you to explore disability policy and practice with critical reflection and curiosity.

Why this course at Marjon?

• Course designed with experts in the field.
• Focus on recent major government reforms and their impact in practice.
• Placements in first and second year.
• You will be provided with the tools necessary to promote true inclusivity throughout your personal and professional life.

What might I become?

Work in charities, healthcare, voluntary organisations or all stages of education, or move into further training, for example as a teacher or a social worker.

Find out more at Open Day

Open Day is your opportunity to find out more about studying Special Education Needs & Disability Studies at Marjon. You’ll meet lecturers and find out why we are ranked second in the UK for teaching quality*. Our student life talks will help you prepare to go to university, covering topics such as careers, funding, sport and our award winning on-campus student support service. You can also take a tour of the campus with a current student and find out about the student-led clubs and societies.

Book on to an Open Day at: www.marjon.ac.uk/open-day

Why study at Marjon?

• Small, person-focused university
• No.2 university in England for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024)
• No.4 university in the UK for Career Prospects (WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2023)
• No.4 uni in England for Education (Student Experience) (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)

Molly -Second year, Special Education Needs & Disability Studies;
“In our first year we did a lot of work on wellbeing and health, with a particular focus on mental health. We also touched on psychology and the way people learn. Now we’re learning social theories and how society thinks about different disabilities and their needs. In the third year we’ll do our dissertations and pick our focus based on where we want to go after the degree. Throughout the course there are opportunities for work placements to gain practical skills.”

1st Year
Engaging with Learning
Introduction to psychology
Introduction to Disability Studies
Health and Wellbeing
SEN Concepts and Contexts

2nd Year
Comparative and International Perspectives in SEN and Disability
Disability and Social Theory
Developing inclusive education
Research Methods
Interprofessional practice: safeguarding
Placement

3rd Year
Dissertation
Critical Issues in Disability and Care
Professional contexts: the role of practitioners
Understanding and managing specific learning disabilities
Mental health, lifelong conditions and young people

We fully recognise the value of assessing knowledge in a wholly flexible and individual way. Therefore, assessments vary in format from essays, to producing materials to use on placement, producing posters from doing your own research to working in project groups to presentation delivery. We can adapt our methods of assessment depending on student needs.