Course summary

Have you ever thought about working towards a degree, but decided against it as you are already in employment or volunteering and don’t want to give that up? Our FdA Professional Practice in Special Educational Needs & Disability course is designed for those looking to develop personal and professional skills in relation to working with children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities in a school or educational setting.

Please note that this course is taught at Grantham College.

Key facts


Award

FdA

UCAS code

GX36

Duration

2 years

Mode of study

Full-time

Start date

September

Awarding institution

Bishop Grosseteste University

Institution code

B38

Course details

About this course

This work-based Foundation Degree programme is a combination of practice-based learning and campus-based teaching sessions that take place once a week, allowing you to continue working or volunteering throughout the course. Throughout the two-year programme, you will integrate your previous experience of working with children into your studies.

This course will be of interest to those with an interest in working with children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities in a school or educational setting and/or who wish to develop their skills and knowledge to a higher level to develop career opportunities or progress to an undergraduate degree.

This foundation degree is designed to improve and develop personal and professional skills. The programme increases knowledge and understanding of the complex relationships which exist between those with special educational needs and disabilities, the educational setting and the educators/support staff meeting individual needs, inter-agency working, inclusion, core curriculum and assessment.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have substantive work-place experience (normally, at least one year) in a relevant setting, with on-going access to the work-place for the duration of the programme. Students will need to undertake a minimum of 12 hours per week in a relevant work setting for the duration of the programme. Typically, students will evidence previous study up to level 3, in a relevant area (e.g. STLS, Early Childhood, Health & Social Care), and demonstrate functional literacy to the level required for degree study.

How you will be taught

The programme delivery structure is designed to facilitate studying alongside employment, and includes four 30 credit modules each year. Typically, a full-time student will study two modules in each semester. Formal contact hours for lectures, seminars and tutorials will be at the delivering institution for one evening and one afternoon per week, which will typically be on the same day. A range of assessment styles and techniques are included in the programme which enables students to achieve positive outcomes by a range of different means.

Academic staff

Assessment

Assessment is through a variety of methods including essays, presentations, journals and portfolios depending on the module content.

Careers & Further study

On successful completion of this course you may be able to progress on to a BA (Hons) Degree.

Future careers include:

  • Primary or special school teaching
  • SEND Classroom Assistant
  • Youth Work
  • Social Care Setting
  • Private Sector Educational Providers

What Our Students Say

Discover what life is like at Bishop Grosseteste University from our students.

Support

Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests.

We will be there to support you, personally and academically, from induction to graduation.

Fees & Finance

A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory. That’s why at BGU we try to give you all the information and support we can to help to throughout the process. Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sort out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step.

Click here to find information about fees, loans and support which will help to make the whole process a little easier to understand.

Undergraduate course applicants must apply via UCAS using the relevant UCAS code. For 2023 entry, the application fee is £27, and you can make a maximum of 6 choices. For 2024 entry the application fee is £27.50.
For all applicants, there are full instructions at UCAS to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate.