Education, SEN and Mental Health

Education, special educational needs, and mental health is a degree designed for those who want to work at the intersection of learning, inclusion, and wellbeing in schools and other educational settings. It reflects the reality of modern education: that effective practitioners need to understand not just how children learn in typical circumstances but how to meet the needs of children with diverse learning profiles, and how mental health shapes educational experience and life chances. These are among the most important and fastest-growing areas of educational practice.

At York St John University, this three-year full-time degree explores how education affects the life chances of children and young people, with a focused specialism in both special educational needs and disability and in mental health. You will develop knowledge of how different learning difficulties and disabilities are identified and supported, how inclusion works in practice, and how mental health challenges interact with educational participation and achievement. The programme takes a genuinely interdisciplinary approach, drawing on education, psychology, sociology, and social policy.

A foundation year is available for students who need additional academic preparation. The programme also includes a year abroad option. The typical entry tariff is 104 UCAS points.

Graduates of this degree pursue careers in teaching, educational psychology, SEND coordination and support work, learning support assistance, school counselling, social work with children and families, youth work, and the growing field of mental health support in schools. The PGCE and other initial teacher training routes are common next steps for those who want to teach, while others move directly into SEND or mental health support roles in educational settings. Postgraduate study in educational psychology, SEND, or child mental health is also well suited to graduates of this programme.