BSc (Hons) Education, Psychology and Special Educational Needs Bachelor's degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Develop knowledge of child development considering psychological and physical development and factors influencing this. Topics include how a child's psychology changes over time, social world impacts upon cognitive development, important milestones in social/emotional behaviour and speech/language, and normal versus atypical development.

Explore key legislation and policy to protect and safeguard children from maltreatment, and the balance between protecting children and empowering them. Topics include differing perspectives of childhood, safeguarding in practice, and challenges of empowering children with disabilities and complex needs.

Examine historical developments in inclusion, disability and special/additional needs. Consider what inclusive practice means in the classroom, covering models of disability, inclusive educational practice, support services, legislation and policy, and the role of practitioners and parents. Includes preparation for work experience placement within an ALN setting.

Support transition into higher education by developing core academic skills including academic writing, critical reading, referencing, and effective communication. Introduction to research in educational contexts, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, and understanding what makes high-quality evidence.

Explore how social, cultural, political and economic developments have impacted on the education system. Consider the impact of psychological theory and research on educational practice and current topical issues in education.

Introduce concepts surrounding how humans think and learn. Core topics in cognitive psychology including memory and language and applications to teaching and learning processes. Explore psychological explanations for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.

Explore complex links between communication and behaviour, and range of additional learning needs influencing them. Examine speech and language difficulties, attachment, emotional or behavioural challenges, considering developmental, environmental, and relational factors. Focus on applying inclusive, evidence-based strategies.

Explore neurodiversity and its relevance to inclusive educational practice. Develop understanding of neurodivergent profiles such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, and how these may shape learning, communication, and behaviour. Focus on strengths-based and inclusive approaches, challenging deficit-based perspectives.

Develop practical skills to plan, conduct, and evaluate research within education. Focus on designing research questions, selecting appropriate methods, interpreting and presenting findings. Explore research design, data collection and analysis, and how evidence is used to inform practice with emphasis on ethical decision-making.

Provide critical understanding of contemporary evidence, research and practice in education and equality. Examine key theories and concepts including poverty, social justice and exclusion, refugee and asylum seekers, additional learning needs, gender issues and ethnicity, related to contemporary educational policy and practice.

Develop employability skills and encourage thinking about careers following graduation. Requires completion of work experience placement at end of first year. Placement normally in settings supporting additional learning needs, flexible based on personal needs. Opportunity to extend placement by mutual agreement.

Critically explore contemporary issues relating to mental health and wellbeing within an education or professional context. Consider impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), inclusivity, and role of resilience in helping students prosper.

Develop critical approach to current issues and debates in ALN/SEN including policy, law and litigation, curriculum planning and pedagogy, identifying needs, continuity, transition and international perspectives. Explore challenges faced by professionals in ensuring inclusion. Requires undertaking a placement.

Examine biological bases of learning and behaviour, sometimes referred to as educational neuroscience. Explore integration of biology and behaviour, how a person's behaviour can affect biological functioning, and how brain activity gives rise to cognition. Consider biological origins of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Explore role of creativity and innovation in education and therapeutic contexts with focus on inclusive practice. Examine key theories of creativity, play, and experiential learning. Explore creative approaches including digital tools, sensory strategies, and arts-based interventions to support children and young people with diverse needs.

Undertake original piece of research under supervision. Take responsibility for formulating research question within context of psychology in education, producing literature review and designing and implementing a study. Analyse findings, write up and discuss to demonstrate independence in research approach.