Education: Special Educational Needs, Inclusion and Wellbeing BA (Hons) (Distance Learning)
Subject and course type
- Education and teaching
- Undergraduate
- Online/distance learning
Are you passionate about supporting young people with learning? Through online learning, this course will help you grow your understanding of children and young people with additional needs. Kingston University's flexible remote learning enables you to gain your BA (Hons) Education: Special Educational Needs, Inclusion and Wellbeing (Distance Learning) from wherever you are in the world.
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Distance learning: study anywhere, shape futures everywhere
Make a difference to the lives of children and young people aged 0–25 with additional needs where you live.
You’ll access engaging online lectures, interactive resources, bespoke tutor support and virtual seminars led by our expert lecturers, all designed to fit around your work and personal commitments. With dedicated academic support, collaborative online communities, and opportunities to apply your learning in your own professional or voluntary setting, you will graduate with a full honours degree, ready to champion inclusion and foster positive environments for the children and families you support.
Practical experience is integral to the learning process. You will need to be employed in an appropriate setting (either paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for the duration of the course. If you are not currently working in the sector, we can provide you with a suitable placement.
Our Education: Special Educational Needs, Inclusion and Wellbeing (Distance Learning) course offers the flexibility to balance study with your work-life commitments. You'll combine academic learning with practical experience, enhance your skills and join a supportive professional network.
Education and teaching at Kingston University
Our students are making big changes to small peoples' lives. Hear how you could develop the skills you need to play a pivotal role in the lives of children and young people.
Why choose this course
This inspiring course offers an exciting opportunity to help and support children and young people where you live. You will explore vital topics such as equality, diversity, mental health and wellbeing. The course also covers developmental theories, legislative frameworks and multi-professional collaboration.
Kingston University is an outstanding place to study this education degree. Our commitment to high-quality teaching was recognised with a TEF Gold rating in 2023. The University achieved an overall Gold rating, along with Gold awards in the new student experience and student outcomes categories.
The tutors on this course are experienced practitioners, actively involved in research and education-related activities, ensuring you benefit from up-to-date knowledge and real-world insights.
Course content
The course covers inclusion and wellbeing, personal and professional development, developmental theories, current legislative frameworks governing practice, multi-professional perspectives, and working with children and young people, families and carers.
Year 1
In Year 1, you will build on your existing knowledge and experience of working with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and develop your academic writing and research skills. You will develop your knowledge of effective practice working with children and young people with special educational needs. You will reflect on the environment and society that our children and young adults learn in.
Core modules
30 credits
In this module you will explore the development of children from birth to 25 years of age. You will examine and challenge existing theories, approaches, legislation and policies, and relate these specifically to practice. You will have the opportunity to explore different theories of development (both seminal and emerging) and to reflect on their use within the English educational system. Through discussion and debate within organised seminars and group workshops, you will develop positioning and reasoning for advocacy and practical application of published perspectives. Furthermore, this module will enable you to reflect on how developmental theories can influence key policies and guidance.
30 credits
In this module you will have the chance to explore sustainability by exploring the interconnectedness of various systems – natural, social, and economic. Education for sustainability promotes a sense of individual and collective responsibility towards the environment and society. It promotes a deeper contextual reflection about the role of education as a catalyst to make informed choices. The module requires you to become an agent of change, promoting action that contributes to an ethos of sustainability within an educational context.
30 credits
This module will introduce you to the key principles of inclusive practice and its importance in supporting children with additional needs in the English education system. This module also encourages you to investigate how inclusive practice is evidenced in other settings. You will examine the principles of inclusion and their implications for practice. In addition, this module will explore the evolution of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) policies, inviting you to assess their influence on current educational approaches and the lived experiences of individuals with additional needs.
30 credits
This module examines what it means to be a professional in the context of both early education and inclusive teaching and learning. This module is designed to enable you to engage in reflective practice by drawing on a range of theoretical models, literature and work-based experiences. You are encouraged to take charge of your own learning, reflecting on your professional knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviours (KASBs). This module will also introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Navigate workshops and module resources. You will be guided to use the reflections from the Navigate workshops to identify career development pathways and how you can be supported to achieve these with the guidance of those more experienced than you. This will include utilising supervision mechanisms within the work environment as well as the support of mentors and communities of practice to enhance personal and professional practice.
Year 2
In Year 2, you will further your professional practice, knowledge and expertise, learning about children’s rights in a local and global society. You will develop your knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion in educational practice. You will also learn about collaborating with other professionals offering strategies and interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young adults with special educational needs.
Core modules
30 credits
This module provides an in-depth exploration of the rights of babies, children and young people lensed through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (UNICEF, 1989). You will evaluate the various rights afforded to children, the importance of safeguarding these rights, and the challenges faced in implementing rights-based approaches and initiatives locally and globally. It is essential that a range of issues within care and education are critically evaluated through the lenses of the UNCRC and rights-based philosophies to ensure that you are well informed about your professional role as advocates for children and their families. An exploration of relevant legislation, policies, curriculum frameworks and initiatives provides students with further opportunities to interrogate and critique the intentions, values and principles that underpin the range of provision within the UK, Europe and the Global South.
30 credits
This module will centre on the current constructs of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) through the lenses of education. It will explore contemporary issues related to equity and equality. There will be opportunity to explore positive and limiting practices within educational settings, which promote or inhibit an inclusive culture between stakeholders and within stakeholder groups. In this module you will review educational approaches that can provide empowerment for marginalised, under-served or underrepresented groups within the community. You will examine your own dispositions, personal beliefs and values and how these impact on practice approaches and ethical decision-making. Intersectionality factors that influence and underpin the lived experiences of babies, children and young people will also be evaluated with a view to making suggested improvements to current practice approaches that promote an inclusive and equitable culture.
30 credits
This module provides the opportunity to explore and engage at a deeper level with the theories and models that promote collaboration and reflection in professional working contexts. You are encouraged to take an active role in shaping your personal, professional and pedagogical progress through engagement with the Future Skills Explore activities. The collaborative nature of working within the module will inform your subject knowledge as well as a range of transferable skills that are essential for a graduate to work effectively within and beyond the sector.
30 credits
This module explores the intersection of mental health and well-being within the context of children and families, emphasising the importance of multi-professional collaboration. You will explore theories, interventions, and strategies tailored to support the mental health needs of children and families including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The module content will explore factors that promote and impede positive mental health and well-being. This element will be a key focus, equipping you with the knowledge to identify and address barriers to positive mental health outcomes. You will have the opportunity to explore practice-based approaches and consider how you can work effectively with other educators, mental health professionals, parents and community members.
Year 3
In Year 3, you will build on your knowledge of contemporary issues around the health and wellbeing of children and young adults (0-25 years) with special educational needs. You will study leadership and management in settings for those children and young adults. You will learn about collaboration and ethics when planning a research project.
Core modules
30 credits
This module explores key issues related to health and wellbeing in educational settings. The teaching content frames health and wellbeing issues through various lenses including neuroscience, sociology, psychology, policy and guidance. The roles and responsibilities of adults that work with the children, young people, families and communities will be explored and you will consider factors which promote or impede holistic development. This will provide you with a critical appreciation of the complexities of addressing practice-based contemporary issues that support the holistic development of children and young people within health and wellbeing.
30 credits
This module will give you the opportunity to critically reflect upon leadership models and approaches. The module content will lead you to appreciate the crucial role played by inclusive practitioner leaders in supporting change and how leadership can facilitate best special educational needs and inclusive practices for children and young people, parents, carers, practitioners and other professionals. There will be the opportunity to explore the importance of respectful partnership with these stakeholders.
You will be led to explore educational issues related to the special educational needs and inclusion sector through sociological, political, psychological, economic, philosophical and political lenses. The voice of the child and young person will be a central focus in the proposed change management process. You will be encouraged to evaluate methods, strategies and approaches that you use to manage yourself and others. You will reflect through experiential learning opportunities on your existing areas of strength and identify areas for further development.
30 credits
The module expands on the professional graduate skills developed across the first two years of study. You will refine and critically evaluate professional reflections in relation to your own professional identity and specific subject pedagogy. You will become an expert in your subject and evolve leadership and advocacy through personal reflective tasks and collaboration with others in a range of professional contexts. You will retain active engagement with continued professional learning activities and apply new knowledge to your own professionalism whilst reflecting on your evolving personal skillset. Reflection around skills to excel in your career after graduation forms an essential element to this module. Therefore, you are encouraged to explore a range of career opportunities and network with other professionals in readiness for the next stage in your professional journey. The Future Skills Apply Learning Outcomes are delivered in this module.
30 credits
This module will support you to think critically about planning a small-scale enquiry that requires the collaborative participation of other stakeholders. You will explore the ethical implications as well as the methodological approach that underpins your proposed enquiry. You will examine evidence-based approaches that are currently drawn on in the field of education and beyond. You will critically reflect on challenges and ethically sound practices that promote meaningful collaboration.
What career opportunities does this course offer?
Many students return to Kingston University for postgraduate and continuing professional development studies. These include Early Years Initial Teacher Training, which leads to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). The university also offers the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Additionally, students can pursue master’s qualifications, such as the Education MA, subject to meeting course requirements.
Future Skills
Our Future Skills programme is embedded within all our undergraduate courses and throughout the whole Kingston experience. These skills will help you to become a future-proof graduate by equipping you with the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills. You’ll also understand how to demonstrate and articulate to employers how these future skills give you the edge.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching is fully online via our Virtual Learning Environment (CANVAS) and Microsoft Teams. There is a blend of flexible asynchronous materials and scheduled live seminars, tutorials and workshops that are recorded for those who cannot attend.
Modules run in a short and compressed pattern over eight teaching weeks. Your learning combines guided independent study with scheduled activities and weekly work-based experience (minimum 16 hours) supported by a Critical Professional Advocate (CPA).
Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
When you enrol, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, support you throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
Your course will be delivered online.
- Year 1: 59% scheduled learning and teaching (including work-based experience)
- Year 2: 59% scheduled learning and teaching (including work-based experience)
- Year 3: 59% scheduled learning and teaching (including work-based experience)
Assessment is varied and practice‑focused, including coursework, presentations, reflective tasks and workplace‑based activities that draw directly from your setting; ethical permission processes and CPA sign‑off ensure observations and evidence are gathered appropriately. All assessments follow Kingston University’s quality assurance, with internal and external moderation and regular feedback provided through CANVAS to support your progress.
Assessment typically comprises coursework such as essays, reports, presentations, poster exhibitions and research project.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 100%
- Year 2: Coursework 100%
- Year 3: Coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback to you on your assessments within 20 working days.
Students studying will be able to access their timetable on My Kingston.
Fees and funding
| Fee Category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £10,050* |
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Home students (UK): Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
| Fee Category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,790* |
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Home students (UK): Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
