Special Educational Needs & Inclusive Practice Foundation Degree FdA

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award

Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a TEF Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.

Why choose this course?

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people up to the age of 25 years who have special educational needs and disabilities? Are you looking for a course that allows you to earn while you learn?

This two-year work-based foundation degree will enable you to develop your practice, become part of a strong network, and complete the first two years of an undergraduate degree, which you can top up to a full degree with the Special Educational Needs & Inclusive Practice BA (Hons) top-up degree course.

This course enables you to combine academic study with work-based learning. During the course, you will need to be working or volunteering 16 hours per week within an early years setting, school, college or alternative provision.

You will explore the requirements of the Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice and consider the voice and needs of the child or young person. You'll study developmental theories, systems to support learning, legislative frameworks that govern practice, multi-professional perspectives and working with families and carers. You'll develop reflective skills to enable you to consider how to improve practice.

This course is taught at either our Kingston Hill campus, one session per week (1.30–6.30pm) or at REACH Multi-Academy Trust in Feltham (4–9pm).

Apply for this course
Where taught Attendance UCAS code Campus code Year of entry
Kingston Hill 2 years full time (employment based) X360 2025
Reach Academy Feltham 2 years full time (employment based) X360 9 2025

Please apply for this course via the UCAS website using the relevant code.

Main Location Employment based, with some attendance at Kingston Hill
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Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • You will be able to earn as you learn, combining workplace learning with part-time academic study at Kingston University.
  • You will develop a deeper understanding of SEND to enhance children's learning and development in your workplace and the wider community.
  • 96.1% of students thought staff supported their learning (NSS 2023).
  • Once you complete this foundation degree, you can take a further year's study and top-up your qualification to a BA (Hons) degree at Kingston University.

What you will study

The course covers personal and professional development, developmental theories, current legislative frameworks governing practice, multi-professional perspectives, and working with children and young people, families and carers.

Year 1

Year 2

In Year 1, you will build on your existing knowledge and experience of working with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and develop your academic writing and research skills.

Core modules

Professional Development through Reflective Practice in Special Educational Needs

30 credits

This module is a core requirement of the Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Practice Foundation Degree. The content will explore the knowledge and skills required of higher education and will examine the meaning of academic terminology. Students will explore what constitutes reflective practice in a work-based environment and will be encouraged to identify their previous knowledge and experience and to recognise intrinsic and extrinsic influences on their practice. The main features of the module include the introduction of theory and the interface with work-based learning. Students will be supported in recognising their strengths and areas for enhancement enabling them to reflect on their professional development.

Child Protection and Ethical Practices of Working With Children

30 credits

This module introduces students to the legal and ethical requirements for ensuring that all children and young people are protected and make progress in learning and development. Students will examine challenging case studies and will explore strategies for communicating and working effectively with children and young people, their families/carers and other professionals to ensure that their needs are met.

Learning, Teaching and Development in the Field of Special and Inclusive Education

30 credits

This module introduces students to the development of individuals from birth to 25 years. The content explores factors that may affect children and young people's learning and development and how this is effectively monitored and reported. Students will examine theories, legislation and techniques of data gathering and relate these specifically to practice.

Inclusive Practice

30 credits

This module provides an exciting opportunity for students to undertake visits to investigate how inclusion is interpreted in other educational settings. Students will be encouraged to explore and critically examine the principles of inclusion. They will examine the impact of theory and legislation on professional practice and identify strategies to meet the individual needs of children and young people in their educational settings.

In Year 2, you will further your professional practice, knowledge and expertise, learning about international systems, effective communication, leadership and management and conduct your own special project.

Core modules

Effective Communication Skills

30 credits

This module provides students with the opportunity to develop effective communication skills for different audiences and contexts. Students will explore theory underpinning the acquisition of effective communication skills through a variety of written, verbal, visual and auditory media. Students will learn through a range of exciting teaching and learning approaches. The module will enable students to recognise the flexibility required to address different contextual situations and to develop the communication skills necessary to meet the demands of various roles and responsibilities.

 

Special Project

30 credits

The module enables students to extend their professional development in a chosen area of practice within the field of special educational needs and inclusive practice. The module supports students to implement an independent, systematic enquiry in order to critically reflect upon an aspect of pedagogy and/or practice and to initiate changes that may improve the educational experiences of children and young people.

International Systems to Support Learning

30 credits

This module introduces students to international systems that have been designed to support the learning and development of children and young people who have a range of differentiated learning needs. Students have the opportunity to compare and contrast different systems and to critically evaluate their use within the English educational context. Students have the opportunity to visit other settings where the use of internationally developed systems are used. Students will investigate how the systems may be adapted or amended and examine, with other practitioners, their effectiveness in supporting children and young people's learning and development.

Leadership in the Field of Special and Inclusive Education

30 credits

This module offers the students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of leadership theory and how this applies to their professional role in the work place. Students will examine issues relating to personal values and beliefs that may impact upon their ability to lead and support others in the field of special educational needs and inclusive practice. Students will be encouraged to evaluate the methods, strategies and approaches that they use to manage themselves and others.

Future Skills

Knowledge to give you the edge

Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.

As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.

At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.

Learn employability-enhancing Future Skills
A female engineering student, in the engineering lab.

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2025

Employment in an appropriate setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for duration of the course. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview.

  • A relevant Level 3 qualification (or equivalent), e.g. CACHE, NVQ or Access course.
  • Employment in an appropriate setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week.

Typical offer 2024

Employment in an appropriate setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for duration of the course. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview.

  • A relevant Level 3 qualification (or equivalent)
  • Employment in an appropriate setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for the duration of the course
  • Normally two years' work experience in an appropriate setting

Additional requirements

The selection process involves an interview, selection exercises and a current DBS check.

Alternative routes

We will consider a range of alternative qualifications or experience that is equivalent to the typical offer.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is offered for those who are unsure of the current value of their qualifications. We actively welcome applications from students from a variety of backgrounds.

We are seeking motivated people who want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people up to the age of 25 years who have special educational needs and disabilities.

International

International students who have the necessary visa/permit to work in the UK are welcome to apply. Please note the course does not meet the criteria for Student Route visa. If you are unsure of the current immigration rules, please contact our CAS and Visa Compliance team at UKVI@kingston.ac.uk.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

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Typical offer and UCAS points explained

Like most universities, we use the UCAS Tariff point system for our course entry requirements.

Find out more about UCAS Tariff points and see how A-level, AS level, BTEC Diploma and T-level qualifications translate to the points system.

Teaching and assessment

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking coursework assignments, and preparing and giving presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, support you throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University. 

Your workload

A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.

One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.

  • Year 1: 63% scheduled learning and teaching
  • Year 2: 53% scheduled learning and teaching

The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.

Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.

How you will be assessed

Types of assessment

  • Year 1: Coursework 100%
  • Year 2: Coursework 100%

Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback to you on your assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Students studying at the Kingston Hill campus will be able to access their timetable on My Kingston.

Students at Reach will receive their timetable from the college.

Who teaches this course?

This course is taught at Kingston Hill.

Teaching includes lectures, work-based learning activities, tutorials, online learning, workshops and seminars.

Anne Drury

Mrs Anne Maloney

Course fees and funding

2025/26 fees for this course

In 2025/26 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £7,300*

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

You should be aware that if you progress directly to the BA (Hons) top-up, the fee for the top-up year for home (UK) students is a reduced fee of £7,300. This only applies to foundation degree students from our franchise partners who progress directly from the FdA to the Top-Up. If there is a break between the two courses then the full fee will apply, currently £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

2024/25 fees for this course

In 2024/25 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £7,000*

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

You should be aware that if you progress directly to the BA (Hons) top-up, the fee for the top-up year for home (UK) students is a reduced fee of £7,300. This only applies to foundation degree students from our franchise partners who progress directly from the FdA to the Top-Up. If there is a break between the two courses then the full fee will apply, currently £9,250 for the 2024/25 academic year.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies from the 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting after 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

Need to know more?

Our undergraduate fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees; this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston-upon-Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Alternative settings

You may need to pay transport costs to visit alternative settings.

Facilities

The Kingston Hill campus features an outdoor learning environment where trainee teachers lead curriculum-linked natural sciences activities with children. It includes a specially built 'cubby house', outdoor pond, beehive and nature trail. It offers early years students the opportunity to simulate teaching and learning with natural materials.

There are a number of teaching rooms set up to replicate actual classrooms. Each classroom is subject based – such as an art room, science lab – and is equipped with all the relevant facilities you will need to practise your lessons before taking them into school.

Our library (the Nightingale Centre) has an excellent range of teaching resources to help you plan and teach your lessons, such as a range of children's topic books, music and nursery rhymes on CD, as well as artefacts and kits that can be used to illustrate historical periods, different religions, science, mathematics and music.

Facilities

After you graduate

This qualification is valued by employers and is a mark of your professional excellence and expertise.

After successfully completing the foundation degree, you can undertake a further year's study and top-up your qualification to a BA (Hons) degree at Kingston University, which can also lead to postgraduate opportunities.

Many students return to Kingston University for postgraduate and continuing professional development studies including Early Years Initial Teacher Training leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and masters qualifications such as the MRes at Kingston University, subject to meeting course requirements.

Please note: to progress to EYTS or QTS, you will need GCSE (A*–C or comparable numeric scores under the newly reformed GCSE gradings) in English Language, Maths and Science.

What our students say

The SENIP degree is run by very experienced lecturers that not only bring deep academic knowledge, but a significant amount of experience from a wide range of settings, all of which bring this course to life in a meaningful way. By the end of year two of the SENIP foundation degree, this course enabled me to get a fantastic job as a Learning Mentor, and I use what I have learned on the course practically every day. The combination of weekly lectures that are aligned with the work experience make this the perfect way to study, and I would recommend this course to others."

Diane, Special Educational Needs & Inclusive Practice Foundation Degree FdA

Key information set

The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.