Education, Inclusion and Special Educational Needs with Placement

Education, inclusion, and special educational needs is a degree concerned with how learning happens and with the rights, needs, and experiences of those who face barriers to accessing it. Inclusion in education is both a legal imperative and a moral commitment, recognising that all children and young people, regardless of disability, learning difficulty, social circumstance, or background, are entitled to a high-quality education. Special educational needs encompasses the diverse range of conditions and circumstances that require additional support, from dyslexia and autism spectrum conditions to physical disabilities, emotional and mental health difficulties, and complex learning needs.

At the University of Gloucestershire, this four-year full-time degree with placement gives you valuable real-world experience through professional practice modules and work-based learning, taking place in schools, early years settings, colleges, community organisations, and other education-related contexts, as the course describes. You will develop your knowledge of educational psychology, child development, special educational needs legislation and policy, inclusive pedagogy, and the practical skills of assessment and support. The placement-focused structure of the programme means academic knowledge and professional practice are developed in parallel throughout the degree.

Graduates from this programme go on to work as teaching assistants, special educational needs coordinators, learning support practitioners, education welfare officers, and staff in specialist schools and resource bases. Many go on to qualify as teachers, speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, or social workers, using this degree as a foundation for further professional training. The field of special educational needs and inclusion is central to the work of schools, local authorities, and children's services, and there is consistent demand for professionals who combine genuine knowledge with the values and interpersonal skills the work requires.