Psychology and Special Educational Needs

Psychology and special educational needs is a combination that brings the scientific study of mind and behaviour directly to bear on understanding children and young people with diverse learning profiles, developmental differences, and educational needs. Psychology provides the theoretical foundations: how people learn, how cognition and emotion develop, how psychological difficulties arise and are addressed, and how social and environmental factors shape behaviour and wellbeing. Special educational needs develops your understanding of how these processes apply to children with specific learning differences, developmental conditions, physical disabilities, and complex needs, and how educational and psychological support can be designed to give every child the opportunity to learn effectively.

The three-year full-time Psychology and Special Educational Needs programme at Liverpool Hope University applies psychological principles to real-life contexts, equipping you with the knowledge and practical skills needed for a wide variety of careers in education and psychology. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement options, providing substantial professional and international experience before you graduate. Placements in educational or psychological settings are particularly valuable in developing the practical understanding of how support for children with special educational needs works in practice.

With a typical entry tariff of 88 points, the programme is accessible and practically oriented. Graduates pursue careers in educational psychology support, special educational needs coordination, teaching (with further training), educational welfare, social work, child and adolescent mental health, and therapeutic or support roles with children and young people. Many also go on to postgraduate training in educational psychology, clinical psychology, or special educational needs.