Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Special Needs and Inclusive Education

at University of Bedfordshire - Bedford Campus United Kingdom

Are you an undergraduate dance or performing arts student who dreams of taking your professional performance and creative practice to the next level? Then this performance-based programme is designed with you in mind.

This exceptional course will enhance your skills across artistic, academic, educational and community contexts, offering you the opportunity for professional-level repertory performance practice along with membership of The Ensemble, our postgraduate university dance company. The programme also offers a truly global perspective with students and choreographers from around the world bringing a wealth of ideas and diversity.

Units include repertory and performance; choreographic and dance research; somatic practice; and dance psychology. The emphasis is on the health of mind and body through dance practice and includes contemporary dance, yoga, improvisation, fusion styles and dance science.

You can choose a written dissertation or a practical research project in performance, choreography, dance film-making, teaching/pedagogy or experimental performance.

Why choose this course?

• Gain high-level practical, professional and theoretical skills in performance and/or choreographic practice
• Work with a dynamic, experienced team of tutors with internationally significant experience as academics, practice-led researchers and dance artists
• Our recent choreographers include Julia Cheng, Urja Desai Thakore, Sung Im Her, Annie Lok, Simonetta Alessandri, Colin Poole and Tim Casson
• Benefit from professional-level facilities including four dance studios, an 80-seat studio theatre and a 300-seat main-stage theatre
• Develop your professional network through our existing relationships with key organisations such as Arts Council England; Youth Dance England; dance agencies and development organisations; performance venues; professional dance companies; independent artists; community arts organisations; colleges and schools
• Our graduates can be found working in the UK and internationally, in fields including freelance dance artist or choreographer; education or wider community environments; the film/video industry; and commercial sector
• Our graduates include Hayley Lemon, teaching artist at Dance East; Katie Boag and Ash Goosey, independent choreographers for Arts Council projects; Emma Bouch, lead artist at NK Dance; and Katie Bateman, dancer/entertainer on Disney cruises

If you want to take your love of literature to the next level, this course will give you a confident critical voice across prose, poetry and plays, from Chaucer to Zephaniah. As an English Lit graduate, the degree opens the door to a wide range of rewarding careers.

You study the development of English literature from Chaucer to the contemporary works of Benjamin Zephaniah and Monica Ali. The course introduces you to less well-known literary periods, critical approaches and world literature while offering deeper exploration of favourites such as the Romantics and Victorian literature. Plus you can follow a special interest with options in creative writing; gothic fiction; Shakespeare and his contemporaries; and language, power and ideology.

You will also develop your own critical or creative voice with a final dissertation choice of an extended essay on your preferred subject or a portfolio of your own creative writing.

Why choose this course?

• You work in small groups, guided by expert lecturers and supportive, enthusiastic tutors with strong research backgrounds in their specialist subjects
• Study all the major periods of English literature, including the Middle Ages; Renaissance; Restoration; Victorian; the Romantics; and the modern age
• Explore the exciting Hockliffe and Cinderella Collections, two of the most important archives of children’s literature in the UK, held at the University of Bedfordshire
• Develop valuable transferable skills including communication and debating
• Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year’s placement in industry, gaining practical experience while building your CV and your contacts for the future
• If you need to get up to speed with education at a higher level, take our Foundation Year option which guarantees entry to the Undergraduate degree
• Benefit from a degree which could lead to careers such as academic librarian; copywriter; arts administrator; editorial assistant; journalist; public relations officer; and teaching

Graduating with an LLB from the University of Bedfordshire is the first step on your journey towards becoming a solicitor or a barrister as well as a range of other professional opportunities.

The LLB (Hons) Law is the undergraduate degree for all students wishing to pursue a career in law.

During your degree, you will explore the latest developments in legal practice. In addition to the core subjects all LLB undergraduates are required to study, you will have the opportunity to study a range of specialist optional units including medical law and ethics; family and child law; immigration and asylum law; aviation law; commercial law; and international law.

Teaching is delivered by a dedicated team with professional experience in the legal industry. In-class teaching is supported by a range of fantastic extra-curricular opportunities including our Law Clinic; our award-winning Refugee Legal Assistance Project; and our mooting programme.

Our law graduates leave us as articulate and knowledgeable individuals with a range of transferable skills, ready to pursue a career in law, management, human resources, the civil service and public sector, education, and many other areas.

All our LLB courses satisfy the requirements set by the Bar Standards Board for the academic component of Bar training. For further information, go to the Bar Standards Board website here.

Why choose this course?

• Study law within its broader economic, social, political, historical, ethical and cultural environment
• Develop your advocacy skills in our modern Moot Court, giving you confidence in a realistic setting
• Explore your ability to present arguments in a persuasive and authoritative way
• Gain skills in critical analysis, research, teamwork, use of language and argument, and the ability to work and learn independently
• Benefit from the option to obtain an additional qualification, the Higher Diploma in Paralegal Practice, accredited by the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP).

This course is a great choice if you are thinking of going on to do a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) after your degree but don’t yet want to commit to primary or secondary level teaching.

You’ll get a very good grounding in the key National Curriculum subject of English Literature and learn about key educational ideas and theories, gaining a wide knowledge of key educational ideas and theories, major literary periods and genres, and the use of language.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to choose units which are of particular interest to you and which will have relevance for your future career.

During your degree you will have the opportunity to explore the role of language in society, contemporary and historical notions of childhood and children, study the work of Shakespeare and his contemporaries, the philosophy of education and choose from a range of English and Education Studies options and a dissertation based on your interests and your future career plans.

If you live to perform, this course will prepare you for a career in the spotlight, developing your movement and vocal skills while you explore the world of performance, from musicals to physical theatre.

Our approach is to foster each student’s unique talents so the course provides many opportunities for you to grow as an individual and find out what path within performing arts leads to your future.

We cover all core aspects of performance, including industry insight, digital performance and professional practice. You can also select to develop your skills in specific areas such as choreography, acting, dance technique, and musical theatre.

You perform work by professional directors and/or choreographers as well as creating your own performances, which are shown in our professional theatre. You gain experience teaching and/or directing, and are encouraged to think, write and talk about how performance theory informs your work.

Why choose this course?

• Learn from our highly experienced teaching team, specialising in different areas of performing arts
• Benefit from a range of workshops and talks from visiting directors, choreographers and companies
• Gain performance experience in our modern rehearsal studios and professional 280-seat theatre
• Showcase your work in our degree show
• Learn entrepreneurial skills that will help you find, apply for and create your own opportunities to work in the exciting and diverse field of performing artswww.instagram.com/uob_acting_performingarts
• Take the course over four years and include a year’s placement in industry (see below) to gain experience and make contacts for the future
• If you need to step-up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees entry to the Undergraduate course
• Our graduates are now running their own companies; working in theatre; in the holiday entertainment and music industries; teaching; and using the leadership skills they gained in the wider cultural industries

The huge popularity of sport and fitness means clinical exercise therapists are much in demand. This course gives you the skills to use exercise, physical activity and therapeutic treatments to promote health and fitness as well as help rehabilitation after an injury.

The course aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to progress into a career as a graduate clinical exercise therapist (GCET). Completing the degree allows you to join the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) at Level 3. REPs is the independent public register recognising the qualifications and expertise of health-enhancing coaches and therapists in the UK.

The course explores relevant fields such as physiology and anatomical structure, and includes units on sports massage, manual therapies and the management of sports injuries. In your final year, you undertake a research project of your choice and can also follow a specialism with a range of optional units.

Why choose this course?

• Apply your knowledge and skills while completing a minimum of 150 hours on practice placement in a range of different environments
• Benefit from guidance from practising therapists, coaches and injury-rehabilitation professionals as well as academic staff
• Build your skills in planning and conducting your own research as well as in reading and interpreting other researchers’ work
• Learn wider transferable skills relevant to a range of career options
• As a graduate, enter degree-level employment within the field of health, fitness, sports and exercise medicine in the public sector (NHS) or private sector (health clubs and clinics)
• Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry (see below), gaining experience and making contacts for the future
• If you need a step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees entry to the undergraduate degree

The School of Sport Science and Physical Activity are focused on promoting football and developing students’ understanding of the variety of ways the football industry impacts on society. Figures released by a leading sports business consultancy reveal that 70 per cent of all football fans worldwide are now watching the English game.  Never has it been more necessary to prepare well-rounded graduates for entry into football-related professions and industries.

Building on the appeal of the UK’s most popular sporting competition, this course prepares you to work in a range football-related health, education, and social settings through increased participation in football setting placements.

The impact of the Premier League and Football League clubs goes beyond the obvious economic impact and encompasses investment in facilities. Community programmes supported by the Premier League in schools and deprived areas has reached a significant scale.

The rapid growth of the football sector has created opportunities to become a sports professional in an expanding, borderless industry.  Football is one of the most important industries in the UK in terms of interest, participation and consumer spending. This course has been developed to reflect the growing complexity of the football market. The courses offer students the chance to enhance their employability by equipping them with the knowledge and higher-level skills demanded of a career in a global sport industry

Why choose this course?

• Develop a professional approach and understanding of football with a focus on coaching.
• Learn a range of coaching skills to aid your delivery and planning of sessions relevant to the team/player standard.
• Be taught by top class professionals within the field. Staff have worked with many football bodies and a variety of individuals from within the industry.
• Develop your professional network to enhance your employability.
• Become an independent, critical, learner with the skills and knowledge to review current and future trends within the game as well as develop values associated with high quality coaching and player support.

There is a growing demand for people with specialist skills in the area of special educational needs and disability (SEND). This one-year course - specifically for those who have completed a relevant Foundation Degree or higher education qualification - enables you to top up to a full degree and prepares you to develop your career within SEND settings.

Develop your existing knowledge of contemporary theories, policy and practices in SEND, using your own experience of working with children in a variety of educational settings including residential, special and mainstream schools.

Explore the complexity of defining inclusive practice; child development; the barriers to development and learning that some children face; and understanding SEND in the context of family and society, locally and globally.

There is a strong focus on using your workplace to provide context and practical application.

Why choose this course?

• Gain a strong knowledge base in special educational needs and disability studies from a variety of professional perspectives
• Develop your own individual academic and work interests, linking your current practice to your developing theoretical understanding
• Learn the importance of educational research and enquiry, and carry out research in your specialist area
• Benefit from a course that prepares you to work in multi-disciplinary education and care teams, able to take on leadership and management roles within a SEND setting
• Challenge yourself with further study to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS); GSCE grades A-C in maths, English and science (or equivalent) are required

This bespoke top up course is for you if you have completed a related foundation degree or HND and wish to gain a full bachelor’s degree in one year.

You will gain deeper understanding of sport science and personal training as well as relevant experience through work placements/internships at sports organisations, schools and within a personal training environment, preparing you for a successful career.

By linking closely to your previous studies and work experience it provides seamless progression to university-level study with the added benefit of a targeted initial induction and a week-long summer school to help support your academic development.

Why choose this course?

• Study key areas of sport science (physical education) including pedagogy and sports performance as well as research methods and employability units.
• Develop your personal training skills and build partnerships with local sports clubs and teams with help from our excellent links with industry including Sport England, the Football Association.
• Learn from our team of experts in fitness, personal training and strength and conditioning.
• Gain a sound training, skills and knowledge of sport science (physical education) together with the transferrable skills needed for a range of careers.
• Build your employability through relevant work placement/internships at sports organisations, schools and within a personal training environment where you can also carry out a research project.Benefit from specialist teaching laboratories and sports facilities at our School of Sports Science and Physical Activity as well as world-class teaching from a team with research expertise in environmental physiology, health and metabolism and movement within the sports science field.
• Benefit from specialist teaching laboratories and sports facilities at our School of Sports Science and Physical Activity as well as world-class teaching from a team with research expertise in environmental physiology, health and metabolism and movement within the sports science field.

This course will provide you with a stimulating programme that ensures a sound knowledge of Special Needs and Inclusive Education and the role of professionals who serve the needs of children, young people (0-25) and their families.

You will explore special and inclusive curricula, challenging behaviour, communication and language, international aspects of special education, individual life stories and reflect upon the role of adults in the education of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

This will fully prepare you for a diverse range of professional roles in special and mainstream educational settings and for further, possibly postgraduate, study or teacher training.

You will explore your individual interests through personal study and work placements in some units. You are encouraged to gain voluntary experience and reflect upon your experiences and professional development in your academic work.

Why choose this course?

• Learn through lectures, seminars, placements and practical workshops
• Study issues around supporting children and young people with special needs and disabilities in a range of educational settings
• Understand international perspectives on special needs and inclusive education
• Develop the ability to understand the importance of educational research and to carry out your own research
• Gain experience through  work placements and a strong focus on employability
• Explore issues like diversity, equality, rights, inclusion, exclusion, behaviour, communication, cognition and learning.
• Benefit from a degree that fully prepares you for varied work in a variety of educational settings, for further study or teacher training
• Benefit from studying with staff who have extensive experience in the field of special needs and inclusive education

Study a multidisciplinary course that prepares you for a key role in teaching and supporting children and young adults with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), a key area for education policy and practice.

With many different future roles for those with the right blend of skills and knowledge, this course integrates discussion of theories, policies and practices related to special needs and inclusive education, both UK-based and international. The staff team encourages you to gain relevant work experience both in the degree and as a volunteer.