Education and SEND

Education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is a degree that takes seriously both the theory of how people learn and the practical reality that learning looks different for every child. Special educational needs is not a marginal concern: a significant proportion of school-age children in England have identified SEND, and every teacher, teaching assistant, and education professional who works with young people needs a grounded understanding of the diverse ways in which learning differences manifest and how to respond effectively. This programme places that understanding at its centre.

At Birmingham Newman University, this three-year full-time programme develops your knowledge of child development, educational psychology, inclusive education, and the legislative and policy frameworks that govern SEND provision in England. You will study conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, developmental language disorder, and social, emotional, and mental health needs, alongside the pedagogical approaches and environmental adaptations that support learners with these needs. Reflective practice and critical engagement with research evidence are woven throughout, developing you as a thoughtful and informed practitioner.

Graduates from Education and SEND are well placed for a range of roles in schools, specialist settings, and support services. Teaching assistant and learning support roles are immediate destinations for many graduates, while others go on to initial teacher training to qualify as teachers with a specialism in inclusive practice. SEND coordination, educational psychology, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy are further paths, typically requiring additional postgraduate training.

Local authorities, charitable organisations supporting disabled children and young people, and specialist educational providers also employ graduates with this background. Postgraduate study in education, educational psychology, or SEND is a natural progression.