Learning and Teaching (Special Educational Needs and Disability) FD

This specialist Foundation Degree is designed for people currently working, or intending to work, with learners with special educational needs and disability (SEND) in specialist or mainstream settings.

With learning firmly rooted in professional practice, a key part of the course is the opportunity to complete a work-based learning module in a different SEND-related setting so you can reflect on differences in professional structures and practice.

The course is taught one afternoon a week by the Lifelong Learning Centre, so you can fit in study alongside your work and family commitments.

After the first three years of study you will receive your Foundation degree and can then progress to a BA degree with a further two years of part-time study. Many of our graduates progress to managerial positions both within and outside the education sector.

Additional support

We know that many mature and part-time students face unique challenges, including balancing academic study with family and employment commitments. The Lifelong Learning Centre provides specialist guidance, advice and support to mature and part-time students, from pre-application right through to graduation and beyond.

The course will develop your specialist knowledge through core and optional modules including: how learners learn, typical and atypical development, developing teaching skills and broader issues in education.

The Foundation Degree is structured and delivered in such a way that you have the opportunity to understand and assimilate new ideas and concepts and to apply these in practice. Your choice of optional modules will allow you to develop more specialised skills and knowledge in areas which affect your own practice.

Course structure

Details of typical modules/components for this course will be published on May 1st. These may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

Teaching is imaginative and supportive to make sure that you are intellectually stretched and helped to become an independent inquirer. Group sizes are small enabling you to engage actively and be well supported.

Assessment

Assessments are varied and include essays, projects, case studies, individual and group presentations and posters. This wide range gives you the opportunity to work to your strengths and to gain skills in different forms of expression.

Entry requirements

A-level: 3 A-level passes or equivalent e.g. CACHE level 3

GCSE: English and Maths grade C/4 or above, or equivalent

Other course specific tests:

Applicants must have a level 3 qualification, e.g. CACHE level 3 or 3 A-level passes.

Applicants must also be engaged in relevant work (paid or voluntary) with a minimum of 60 hours per year.

• Access to HE Diploma

  60 credits overall including at least 45 credits at level 3 of which 25 must be at Merit or above.

• Other Qualifications

  CACHE level 3

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

If you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE qualifications you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme. As part of this you’ll be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay. Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre for more information.

If you are a mature student or want to study part-time the Lifelong Learning Centre offers a free, confidential and impartial pre-entry guidance service. Our experienced staff can also talk to you about how you might meet the entry criteria and what support may be available to you.

How to apply

Apply to this course through the Lifelong Learning Centre.

Your application will be reviewed by the Admissions team, and if you’re successful you’ll be invited to an interview which will involve a piece of writing. If you’re entering through the Alternative Entry Scheme you’ll be sent details after your interview.

Once you’re made an offer you’ll be asked to engage with KickStart. This is a pre-entry programme designed to ease your move into studying at the University of Leeds.

We will treat all applications individually. We’ll take into account an applicant’s life experience and the circumstances in which they have gained prior qualifications and we encourage you to cover these things in your personal statement.

Admissions policy

Lifelong Learning Centre Admissions Policy 2019

Fees

UK/EU: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for 2019 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2019, the fee for 2019/20 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2019/20 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

Tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For all full-time students starting in 2020, our fees for 2020/21 have not yet been confirmed and we expect to publish an update later in 2019.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

Part-time fees are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

You will study at 67% intensity (80 credits) each year of your course. Fees for 2019/20 are £6,167 (67% of £9,250). The fee you are charged in future years will be calculated as a proportion of the full-time fee agreed for that year.

There are no upfront fees to pay. All eligible students are able to borrow the entire cost of tuition fees making study free at the point of entry, with good repayment terms. You are eligible if you are studying for 30+ credits per year on a programme which is at a higher level than any qualification already held. Previous study in Higher Education may affect your eligibility.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Depending on your circumstances, non-repayable financial support is available from the Leeds Financial Support scheme.

The Learning and Teaching (Specialist Educational Needs and Disability) Foundation degree provides you with skills to develop in your current role or access a diverse range of roles which involve supporting learners with SEND in specialist and mainstream settings. Some of these are in education but many are in other areas such as public and college libraries, voluntary sector organisations, children’s centres and hospitals. Many students go onto learning support and managerial roles in education such as managing teams of learning mentors, teaching assistants and behaviour support workers. Successful completion of the BA degree will enables you to apply for a postgraduate teacher training course.

Careers support

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate.

The University and the Lifelong Learning Centre provide a range of activities to support LLC students looking to:

• explore their career options
• develop or enhance their employability skills
• gain work or voluntary experience
• prepare for promotion, review or a role change at work
• find and apply for jobs

Read more at Careers support for LLC students and on the University’s Careers website.