Psychology and Special Educational Needs, Disability & Inclusion with Foundation Year

Program Overview

This four-year degree program in Special Educational Needs, Disability, and Inclusion (SENDI) equips students with a comprehensive understanding of sociological, psychological, and philosophical values in SENDI. It explores policy and practice in diverse settings, promoting inclusive strategies to meet diverse learning needs. Students develop knowledge of different categories of need and acquire skills through theory and research-based placements. The program prepares graduates for careers in psychology, SENDI, and related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Objective:

• Equip students with a critical understanding of sociological, psychological, and philosophical values in the context of Special Educational Needs, Disability, and Inclusion (SENDI).
• Explore policy and practice in different educational, cultural, and social settings.
• Promote appreciation for inclusive, relevant, and ever-changing strategies to meet diverse learning needs.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of different categories of need and acquire skills in meeting needs through examining theory and engaging in research-based placements.

Structure:

• Four-year program including a Foundation Year.
• Foundation Year equips students with academic skills and knowledge necessary for successful undergraduate study.
• Focuses on core psychological domain and methods, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Explores contemporary issues such as mindfulness, psychopathy, and the science of dreaming.

Outline:

Year 1 (Foundation Year):

• 8 modules covering academic skills, effective learning techniques, utilizing resources, critical thinking, digital skills, communication skills, reflective learning, and academic writing.

Year 2:

• Researching Psychology I: Introduces core areas and research methods in psychology.
• Introduction to Psychology across the Lifespan: Developmental psychology across childhood and later development.
• Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology (CHiP): Origins and development of psychology as a discipline.
• The Whole Child: Holistic Approaches to Meeting Needs: Holistic approaches to enhance development in educational/care/social settings.
• From Excluded to Included: A Century of Change: Exploring social and educational models of disability in schools and global society.

Year 3:

• Personality and Individual Differences: Personality structure, biological and environmental factors, and research methods.
• Social Psychology: Breadth and diversity of social psychology as a discipline, ranging from social constructionism to social interactions.
• Researching Psychology II: Advanced research designs, statistical techniques, and qualitative analysis methods.
• **Rhetoric or Reality?
• : Learning difficulties, policy approaches, and meeting individual learner needs.
• Global Approaches to Inclusion: Global perspectives in SEND and inclusion, focusing on national differences and approaches.

Year 4:

• Psychology Dissertation: Conduct an independent research project demonstrating mastery of academic knowledge and research skills.
• BioPsychology: Biological basis of behavior, emotions, and mental health.
• Cognitive Psychology: Key cognitive processes and approaches, and methodologies.
• Psychological Research Design and Project Preparation: Designing appropriate research projects for the dissertation.
• Hidden Inequalities: Factors impacting learning, including prejudice, exclusion, mental health, and academic progress.
• Leading the Learning Environment: Leadership and management of policy and practice in SEND and inclusion.
• Spectrums and Kaleidoscopes: Complex needs and disabilities, focusing on autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Teaching:

• Varied teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical workshops, coursework, and work-based placements.
• Small group seminars and workshops offer opportunities to review key issues raised in lectures.
• Independent study and early, small, and frequent assessments to support and build confidence.

Careers:

• Psychology: Clinical settings, counselling, mental health services, education, research.
• University Experience: Student-centred environment with a focus on building community and personal connections.