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Course starts: 16 September 2024Apply now
Become a primary school teacher. Develop skills for working with pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Be the teacher they remember all their lives.
BA (Hons) Primary Education with SEND allows you to specialise in supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities within a mainstream school, special school or in an alternative provision.
You will receive the same training and skills as our other teacher training courses, but with a focus which ensures you have the opportunity to develop further skills for working with pupils with SEND.
The course includes specific SEND modules alongside opportunities to work in special schools, SEND units and/or resourced provision.
This SEND course is taught via lectures, seminars, group work, computer-based learning and independent learning.
In-school training is an important part of this course. During that time, you will benefit from practical learning and be supported by school-based trainers, University tutors and your peers.
Your progress will be assessed with written assignments, posters, presentations and computer-based assessments (including podcasts and vodcasts). Throughout the degree you'll have one-to-one support from academic staff.
Teaching placements are an integral part of your initial teacher training, and we offer placement opportunities across several of our undergraduate and postgraduate education courses. Read on to discover more about what to expect on your teaching placement, as well as how you can prepare, the skills and knowledge you’ll gain, and the support you’ll receive throughout.
Learn what to expect on your teaching placement
It’s no secret that a career in education ranks incredibly highly when it comes to job satisfaction – but why become a primary school teacher? Explore the top ten reasons to becoming a teacher and find out more about this extraordinary career path.
Find out more about primary education.
Are you thinking about studying for a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) qualification? At the University of Sunderland, we offer a range of SEND courses appealing to both aspiring and practising SENCOs, and other professionals within the field. Here, we explore all the reasons why considering working in SEND could be great for your career.
Learn about the benefits of working in SEND
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade - SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement | GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1250/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 3 subjects) ACT (score of 30+) |
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
You must have a grade C or above in Mathematics, Science, and English Language, or equivalent qualifications. If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above. We will only accept GCSE equivalencies from equivalencytesting.com.
In addition to academic qualifications, you must also:
Your numeracy and literacy competency will be assessed continuously throughout the course following the DfE’s removal of the Professional Skills Test.
If English is not your first language, you will also need International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a score of 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and no other element lower than 6.0.
You will be assessed on your potential to learn and not your experience.
All successful applicants will be invited to an interview. Interviews start in early November, so we recommend that you apply as soon as UCAS opens, in October.
This course is subject to revalidation to meet the requirements for Initial Teacher Training from 2024.
The annual, full-time fee is:
*European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 23/24 admission you will receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies. The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.
If you currently serve (or have recently served) within the Armed Forces, then the Ministry of Defence's ELCAS scheme may be able to help cover your funding for this course. For more information, see our Funding for Armed Forces personnel page.
Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
Good teachers area always in high demand. All qualified teachers will have a starting salary of at least £30,000, and this will be higher for teachers working in London. The amount you earn will then increase until you reach the top end of your pay scale, after which you can choose to progress into more senior roles, such as leading practitioner or head teacher.
The teachers’ pension scheme is also one of the most generous public sector pension schemes in the UK, one of the few guaranteed by the Government.
This SEND degree awards Qualified Teacher Status, which means that when you graduate you’ll be qualified to teach in any state-maintained primary school in England and Wales. Most graduates from this course go on to teach in mainstream schools, special schools or in alternative provision. Some graduates choose to move to a special school or alternative provision once they have had some teaching experience and the opportunity to gain experience teaching pupils with SEND.
You may want to consider becoming a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). SENCOs are a key part of the school workforce and play a fundamental role in supporting children and young people with SEND. To become a SENCO, you will need to complete the National Award in Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO) in addition to your teaching qualification, within three years of taking up a SENCO post.
Teaching placements are an essential part of this degree. You will spend time in schools during each year of this three-year course, gaining a true understanding of what being a primary school teacher involves, and using your new skills and knowledge. When you’re ready to start searching for a teaching job, you will already have valuable first-hand teaching experience, as well as a wide network of professional contacts who can help you find the right career opportunities.