Education, SEN and Mental Health with Foundation Year

Education, special educational needs, and mental health together address some of the most significant factors affecting how children and young people learn and develop. Understanding SEN requires knowledge of the wide range of conditions and circumstances that can affect learning, from autism spectrum conditions and specific learning difficulties to physical and sensory impairments, as well as the legal and professional frameworks that govern inclusive education. Mental health in educational settings is an increasingly important area, as schools and colleges grapple with rising levels of anxiety, depression, and other conditions that affect young people's ability to engage with learning.

This four-year full-time degree at York St John University, with a foundation year, is designed for students who want to work with young people in education and who are committed to meeting the needs of all learners. You will study how education shapes the life chances of children and young people and examine the ways in which SEN and mental health interact with educational experience and attainment. The foundation year builds the academic and professional foundations needed for the main programme.

A year abroad is available, giving you the chance to engage with different educational systems and approaches to inclusion in another country. The typical entry tariff is 104 points.

Graduates from this programme are well placed for careers in education as teaching assistants, SENCO support staff, and specialist support workers, as well as in youth work, mental health support, social care, and community education. Many pursue postgraduate training in teaching, educational psychology, social work, or mental health support. The knowledge and professional values the degree develops are valuable in any role that involves supporting children or young people with additional needs or vulnerability.