Special Educational Needs and Disability Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Our education courses rank in the UK top 5 overall in their subject field (The Guardian University Guide, 2026).

This degree provides a thorough grounding in research, theory and practice across the broad field of SEND, with a strong focus on real-world learning with experience-building visits, opportunities to engage with professionals in the real world of work and a work placement in your second year. Through a powerful mix of theory and application, you explore concepts such as needs, inclusion and disability, relating them to policy, everyday practices and decision making. This in-depth course has been designed and is taught by specialists with a national reputation in the SEND field.

Facilities and specialist equipment

* Specialist Early Years and Sensory Centre to support your understanding of how teachers teach and children learn, within SEND contexts.

* Forest School where you can deepen your understanding of the long-term educational benefits of outdoor learning opportunities and learning in SEND.

* Classrooms with specialist technology so you can watch and assess different teaching approaches within SEND teaching.

* Multimedia space for webinars and podcasting.

* Wide range of sports facilities.

Career-powered links

As one of the largest providers of teacher education in the eastern region, we have well-established partnerships with more than 500 schools and other associated organisations, including lead training partnership agreements for closer collaborations.

You also benefit from our regular, on-going collaboration with the local education authorities for Bedford and Central Bedfordshire.

This network puts us ahead when it comes to national priorities, issues and developments in educational practice.

We also work closely with Martin Bacon Academy, a special education school in Northstowe; Bedford Inclusive Learning and Training Trust (BILTT); and Trauma-Informed Schools UK, who provide training in creating settings where people feel safe, understood and are able to thrive.

Your student experience

Deepen your knowledge, experience and understanding through placements and visits to relevant, professional organisations.

Gain the ability to reflect sensitively on the issues and barriers young people with SEND face in education while exploring ways to address them.

Benefit from the support of your own personal tutor as well as unit and course coordinators.

Broaden your understanding through regular visits by professionals from schools and academy chains; SEN schools; local education authorities; and other involved agencies. 

Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well and provide personalised, highly student-centred learning.

On graduating from this course, you will be in a good position to begin training as a primary teacher, if you wish to follow this career path.