Level 5 Foundation Degree SEND and Inclusion Practices (Full-Time Two Year) (Subject to Validation)

You will need 48 UCAS points with a Level 3 qualification in a related subject. GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English or Level 2 Equivalent. Experience within the sector is required and ideally applicants should be working within SEND or related areas.

Here’s how to apply depending on your plans:
• If you’re applying to multiple Higher Education providers, submit your application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) by the specified deadline for the relevant recruitment cycle. This ensures your application reaches all your chosen institutions efficiently.
• If this College is your only choice, you can begin the process by selecting the “Apply” button at the top of this course page, which will take you to the online application form for a simple and direct experience.
• For detailed information on UCAS applications and deadlines, https://www.ucas.com/applying.

Your learning experience will be dynamic, engaging and deeply applied. Sessions include interactive workshops, discussions, case studies, immersive simulations and live briefs co designed with employers. There are no exams, instead, you’ll complete meaningful coursework that mirrors real world practice, such as professional portfolios, presentations, intervention plans, reflective journals and applied research tasks. Continuous formative feedback, tutorials and peer collaboration ensure you are well supported throughout the course, helping you grow in confidence as you develop your professional voice and identity.

To support your academic success and future employment, applicants should hold GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or Level 2 equivalent. Strong literacy and numeracy skills will also help you thrive in areas such as report writing, assessment analysis and professional communication.

Students at Level 5 are required to complete 100 hours of work based learning (placement) if you are not currently working in the sector. If students are not currently working in the sector, they will require an Enhanced DBS to proceed with work based learning. Students are expected to source their own placement in relevant settings.

Work based learning is a vital component of the programme, as it enables students to develop and refine the practical skills, professional behaviours, and sector specific knowledge essential for working within education, health and social care and SEND related roles. Work based learning provides a context in which students can observe, practise, and reflect upon professional practice, allowing you to connect theoretical learning from the programme to real world situations. This integration of theory and practice supports deeper understanding, promotes confidence in professional decision making, and helps to develop the competencies required for progression into higher level study or future employment within the sector.

Our industry connections are at the heart of this programme and help make it truly immersive and relevant. You’ll benefit from strong partnerships with respected organisations including independent, private and charitable organisations. These collaborations enrich your learning through guest speakers, live assessment briefs, real life case studies and sector informed teaching. They also create exciting opportunities for networking, insight days and potential employment pathways, ensuring you gain an authentic understanding of what inclusive practice looks like in action.

This full time programme is delivered over two years, with students completing 120 credits at Level 4 in Year 1 and 120 credits at Level 5 in Year 2.
Teaching is scheduled for approximately 11 hours per week. Alongside classroom and online tutorial sessions, you will spend additional time engaging in independent study, reading, research and completing coursework. This structure supports learners from all walks of life to succeed, whether you’re progressing from Level 3 study, returning to education or working within the sector already.
Students will follow either the Daytime or Evening study route.
Daytime Option
• One full day per week
• 9:30am – 5:30pm
• Includes wrap-around tutorial support
Evening Option
• Two sessions per week
• Tuesdays and Thursdays- 5:00pm – 9:00pm
• Includes wrap-around tutorial support
Both options are designed to help students balance study with work and personal commitments.
Choosing Your Study Pattern
Applicants will be asked to indicate their preferred study route (Daytime or Evening) during the interview process following submission of application.
Final confirmation of daytime and evening delivery is subject to student demand. This means that availability and the exact timetable is subject to change to ensure the delivery model reflects the needs of the cohort.

This exciting programme is designed to help you grow into a highly skilled, reflective and confident practitioner who is ready to support individuals with SEND in a range of professional environments. Throughout the course, you will build a strong understanding of neurodiversity, inclusive practice and the holistic factors that influence wellbeing and participation. You will learn how to design supportive learning environments, create tailored interventions and work collaboratively with families and professionals across education, health and social care. With a focus on real world skills, digital competence, research informed practice and personal growth, the programme aims to prepare you for both immediate employment and long term career progression whether that’s advancing into leadership roles or continuing your studies at honours degree level.

Your degree is carefully structured to help you grow in confidence, knowledge and professionalism as you move from Level 4 to Level 5. In your first year, you will explore the foundations of neurodiversity, inclusive environments, wellbeing, assistive technologies, co production and reflective practice. These modules help you understand the diverse experiences of individuals with SEND and introduce you to inclusive strategies grounded in current theory and practice. In your second year, you’ll deepen your expertise by studying complex needs, Positive Behaviour Support, trauma informed practice, inclusive curriculum design, cultural competence and research methods. Together, these modules prepare you to take on increasingly advanced responsibilities and to make a meaningful impact in real world settings. Modules are as follows:
Year 1 (Level 4)
• Understanding Neurodiversity and Inclusive Support
• Inclusive Pedagogies, Learning and Care Environments
• Understanding Wellbeing: Building Research and Study Skills
• Digital Inclusion and Assistive Technologies
• Voice, Choice and Co-production
• Reflective Practice and Professional Identity
Year 2 (Level 5)
• Complex Needs and Multi Agency Collaboration
• Behaviour as Communication: Positive Behaviour Support Strategies
• Inclusive Curriculum and Intervention Design
• Trauma Informed Practice and Safeguarding
• SEND in the Community, Cultural Competence and Local contexts
• Research Methods