Special Educational Needs & Disability Studies

Special educational needs and disability studies is a discipline concerned with understanding disability, inclusion, and the right of all people to participate fully in education and society. It draws on psychology, sociology, education, law, and social policy to examine how disability is defined and understood, how educational and support systems are organised, and how professionals can advocate effectively for the rights and development of disabled people. In the UK, disability affects over 16 million people, and graduates with knowledge and skills in this area are in demand across education, health, social work, local government, and business.

At Liverpool Hope University this three-year full-time programme develops your knowledge of disability rights, special educational needs policy and practice, and the theoretical frameworks that inform understanding of disability as a social as well as a medical experience. You will study the range of conditions and experiences that fall under the SEN and disability umbrella, develop understanding of how legislation and policy shape provision, and engage critically with debates about inclusion and what it truly means in practice. The course includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and a work placement component, giving you structured professional experience across a range of settings before you graduate.

The typical entry tariff of 120 points reflects the standard expected.

The programme encourages you to focus on knowledge rather than simply on needs, developing a rights-based and asset-oriented perspective on disability that is increasingly central to good professional practice.

Graduates go on to work in special educational needs provision, inclusive teaching, educational psychology, social care, occupational therapy, advocacy, local authority SEND services, and the voluntary sector. Postgraduate study in special education, educational psychology, or social work is a natural continuation.