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PGCert SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COORDINATOR (SENCO)

  • Year of entry
    2022
  • Course duration
    Flexible: 12-36 months
  • Year of entry
    2022
  • Course duration
    Flexible: 12-36 months
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out about how we'll be delivering our courses in 2020.

Start date: September 2022

Work with expert practitioners, and deepen your understanding of teaching and learning for all pupils, with our PGCert Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).

The PGCert SENCO is a required qualification for all new Special Educational Needs Coordinators within three years of their appointment.

Deepen your understanding of teaching and learning for all pupils, as you reflect on, examine and explore the ways to meet an individual's needs through appropriate educational provision.

Three 20-credit modules provide a combination of theoretical and practical information about meeting the needs of all students. You will also have to submit a portfolio which demonstrates the breadth of your work in special educational needs. Your assignments take a practical school-based focus. We have excellent links with around 350 local schools, and you will be taught by expert practitioners, researchers and academics.

At the Institute of Education, we address our teaching to suit your individual needs. Your tutors are internationally or nationally renowned experts, and their research regularly has a direct impact on school curricula and learning techniques — both in the UK and abroad. As experts in their field, their research also directly informs the focus and content of your course.

Our teaching is interactive, experiential and innovative. We utilise a wide variety of technologies to enhance your learning, including use of presentation tools, interactive whiteboards, mixed media, social media and mobile technologies in our teaching, and screen capture in assessment.

Facilities

The Institute of Education is based on our historic London Road campus, which has undergone a £30m refurbishment of the classical Oxford-cloistered quadrangle to create a dedicated world-class education centre.

We have created custom-built spaces for the teaching of specialist subjects, including:

  • modern laboratories
  • musical studios, including an electronic drum kit room and a recording studio
  • well-equipped art studios and facilities for the practise of work in drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media
  • studios for wet photography and printmaking, including silk screen.

Alongside these fantastic facilities, you will also find places to eat and drink, as well as plenty of green space to relax in.

Research

The Research Excellence Framework (2014), the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, placed the Institute of Education in the top quartile of Education departments in the UK.

Over 80% of our research publications were rated as world leading or internationally excellent. The impact of our research on educational policy and practice in first and second language education was judged to be world leading.

For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website. 

Overview

Work with expert practitioners, and deepen your understanding of teaching and learning for all pupils, with our PGCert Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).

The PGCert SENCO is a required qualification for all new Special Educational Needs Coordinators within three years of their appointment.

Deepen your understanding of teaching and learning for all pupils, as you reflect on, examine and explore the ways to meet an individual's needs through appropriate educational provision.

Three 20-credit modules provide a combination of theoretical and practical information about meeting the needs of all students. You will also have to submit a portfolio which demonstrates the breadth of your work in special educational needs. Your assignments take a practical school-based focus. We have excellent links with around 350 local schools, and you will be taught by expert practitioners, researchers and academics.

At the Institute of Education, we address our teaching to suit your individual needs. Your tutors are internationally or nationally renowned experts, and their research regularly has a direct impact on school curricula and learning techniques — both in the UK and abroad. As experts in their field, their research also directly informs the focus and content of your course.

Our teaching is interactive, experiential and innovative. We utilise a wide variety of technologies to enhance your learning, including use of presentation tools, interactive whiteboards, mixed media, social media and mobile technologies in our teaching, and screen capture in assessment.

Facilities

The Institute of Education is based on our historic London Road campus, which has undergone a £30m refurbishment of the classical Oxford-cloistered quadrangle to create a dedicated world-class education centre.

We have created custom-built spaces for the teaching of specialist subjects, including:

  • modern laboratories
  • musical studios, including an electronic drum kit room and a recording studio
  • well-equipped art studios and facilities for the practise of work in drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media
  • studios for wet photography and printmaking, including silk screen.

Alongside these fantastic facilities, you will also find places to eat and drink, as well as plenty of green space to relax in.

Research

The Research Excellence Framework (2014), the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, placed the Institute of Education in the top quartile of Education departments in the UK.

Over 80% of our research publications were rated as world leading or internationally excellent. The impact of our research on educational policy and practice in first and second language education was judged to be world leading.

For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website. 

I do this job because I want to make a difference in children's lives. I don't leave school the same person I arrive in the morning, because I've grown and learnt so much during the day.

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for 2022 entry have not yet been confirmed. Entry requirements for 2021 entry were:

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2:1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK. We will consider applicants with other qualifications and a number of years’ relevant work experience. You must be a qualified teacher with QTS or equivalent (QTLS, EYTS).

Please note:
If you hold the EYTS qualification and then obtain the PGCert SENCo, you remain restricted in your role as SENCo to the age range 0–5 years. We require a letter from the head of the school/educational establishment, specifying the financial, mentoring and time allowances that will be provided. Students on the MA course or new applicants may complete the three taught modules, but can only be awarded PGCert Education. The designation PGCert SENCo is reserved by law for those with a recognised teaching qualification. School staff in the role of SENCo will have completed an induction period (in line with SEND Regulations 2014, paragraph 49).

Structure

  • Year 4

Compulsory modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

SENCO 1: Policies and Procedures

Code:

EDM122

Convenor:

DR Rob Webster

Summary:

SENCO 1: Policies and Practice is one of three modules specifically designed to meet the NCTL standards for the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (SENCO Qualification). This module is designed to provide the historical context of special educational needs provision as well as current legislative framework, (both national and local) which provides guidance and direction in how to best meet the needs of learners with additional needs. 

This module recognises that schools organise provision in different ways designed to meet their specific circumstances. The learning objectives in this module are designed to help SENCOs fulfil the responsibilities set out in the Code of Practice and lead the teaching and learning for pupils with SEN and/or disabilities. It is designed as a flexible module with specific sessions to be delivered by university staff, experienced SENCOs and external researchers or professionals working with pupils with SEND Local Authority staff. 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

X

Module details


Title:

SENCO 2: Overcoming Barriers to Learning

Code:

EDM123

Convenor:

DR Rob Webster

Summary:

SENCO 2: Barriers to Learning is one of three modules specifically designed to meet the NCTL standards for the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (SENCO Qualification). This module will explore common barriers to learning for students with special educational needs that exist within schools or other educational settings. It will focus on the concept and delivery of personalised learning through the delivery of the National Curriculum. It will explore the role of stakeholders (e.g. individual students, families, other professionals) and link this to effective practice. It is designed as a flexible module with specific sessions to be delivered by university staff, experienced SENCOs and external researchers or professionals working with pupils with SEND .

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

X

Module details


Title:

SENCO 3: Learners with Difficulties and Disabilities

Code:

EDM124

Convenor:

DR Rob Webster

Summary:

SENCO 3: Learners with Difficulties and Disabilities is one of three modules specifically designed to meet the NCTL standards for the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (SENCO Qualification). This module will explore some of the common types of disability that SENCOs would see in an educational setting (e.g. dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, communication disorders, etc.). It is a blended learning module where part of the module is delivered through lectures, and part is delivered via the virtual learning environment (Blackboard).

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.
The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Code Module Convenor
EDM122 SENCO 1: Policies and Procedures DR Rob Webster
EDM123 SENCO 2: Overcoming Barriers to Learning DR Rob Webster
EDM124 SENCO 3: Learners with Difficulties and Disabilities DR Rob Webster

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year

New international students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Our master's and professional courses have allowed many teachers to gain promotions within their institutions. A number of students also continue their studies onto EdD/PhD courses to develop a career in educational research.

Take the next step


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I do this job because I want to make a difference in children's lives. I don't leave school the same person I arrive in the morning, because I've grown and learnt so much during the day.

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)

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  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
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  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
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  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
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  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
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  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
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  • Real Estate and Planning
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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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