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Overview
If you have a level 3 qualification and relevant experience in education, support services or a specialist area, plus a passion for helping learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) achieve their potential, this Further Education and Skills with SEND pathway will prepare you to teach and support learners in specialist and inclusive educational settings.
On this course, you'll explore the theory and practice of education from the perspectives of learners, teachers, support professionals, families, policymakers and other key stakeholders involved in SEND provision. You'll combine academic study with practical teaching experience, developing the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours needed to become an effective SEND practitioner and educator.
You'll learn how to plan, deliver and evaluate high-quality teaching and learning, while gaining a deeper understanding of inclusive practice, adaptive teaching, communication, behaviour and learner development. Throughout the course, you'll reflect critically on your own professional values, drawing on current research and evidence-informed approaches to support diverse learners.
Your teaching experience will take place in specialist and inclusive educational settings, giving you opportunities to apply your learning in practice and build confidence working with learners, families, carers and multidisciplinary professionals.
After the course, you'll be prepared for teaching and support roles across further education, specialist provision and inclusive learning environments, with the skills to promote participation, independence, wellbeing and educational success for learners with SEND.
You can study this course part-time at one of our partner colleges.
While studying at our partner colleges, you can access our student support services and community including study support, the Students' Union and our library's online resources.
Course highlights
- Develop specialist knowledge and skills to support learners with SEND
- Gain practical teaching experience in specialist and inclusive educational settings
- Learn how to adapt teaching and learning to meet diverse learner needs
- Apply theories of learning, communication and behaviour to professional practice
- Build confidence working with learners, families and multidisciplinary teams
- Explore inclusive practice, safeguarding and learner advocacy
- Reflect on and enhance your teaching through workplace-based experience
- Prepare for careers across SEND and inclusive education settings
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
Apply now through Clearing
If you have your results, you can apply directly to us now.
Guaranteed accommodation
If you apply through Clearing, you'll be offered a guaranteed room in halls if you accept your offer within 24 hours of receiving it and apply for accommodation as a new full-time undergraduate student by 9am on Wednesday 26 August 2026.
We have a variety of affordable accommodation options with en-suite halls from £142 per week.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
Even if you don't receive the grades you need, we recommend still calling us on 023 9284 8090 as we still may be able to consider you for a course
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for either your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses.
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university.
- You don't hold any offers.
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2026.
- You have changed your mind about which university you want to go to.
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or other information.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or [email protected].
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk.
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today — it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office.
Clearing Hotline: 023 9284 8090
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students. The part-time course is available to International students who do not require a Student Route Visa.
CertEd Further Education and Skills with SEND entry requirements
Typical offers
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A level 3 qualification within your subject delivery area coupled with sufficient experience to establish professional competence. Formal qualifications, experiential learning and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are also considered.
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GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.
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T-levels – Pass (D or E in the core) - Merit
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You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
Selection process
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All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
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Part-time students are required to have secured their own teaching placement with at least 100 teaching hours plus 75 non-teaching hours per year, and have an identified subject mentor.
English language requirements
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English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
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We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
- Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course.
Typical offers
-
A level 3 qualification within your subject delivery area coupled with sufficient experience to establish professional competence. Formal qualifications, experiential learning and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are also considered.
-
GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.
-
T-levels – Pass (D or E in the core) - Merit
-
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
Selection process
-
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
-
Part-time students are required to have secured their own teaching placement with at least 100 teaching hours plus 75 non-teaching hours per year, and have an identified subject mentor.
English language requirements
-
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
-
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
- Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Careers and opportunities
This CertEd Further Education and Skills with SEND will give you the formal teaching qualification you need to teach in further education settings such as colleges, sixth-forms and private training providers, with a specialism in special educational needs and disabilities, or to pursue further study.
What can you do with a certificate in further education and skills with SEND?
Typical roles include:
- further Education Teacher
- SEND Specialist Teacher
- vocational Trainer
- adult Education Tutor
- learning Support or Inclusion roles
Graduates may also progress to:
- further study (e.g. BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top Up))
- specialist SEND qualifications
- leadership roles within education
You could also turn your CertEd into a full Bachelor's degree with a relevant top-up course, such as BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-Up).
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.
Modules
Note these modules are based on courses starting in 2024. We'll confirm 2025 modules here soon.
Part-time (at partner college)
Core modules
You’ll evaluate active, student centred learning techniques, including their effectiveness and appropriateness for teaching, learning and assessment.
You’ll reflect on the use of active learning methods within subject specialisms, and design and deliver a set of lessons which align with external body expectations.
You’ll investigate and review strategies designed to develop wider skills within learners in further education, such as English, maths and broader skills relevant to their progression and career aims.
You’ll also assess strategies for effective behaviour management and blended learning, and design and deliver a set of lessons which align with external body expectations.
Core modules
You will design and carry out an action research study, from proposal and ethical approval through to your final report.
Through a professional viva examination, you will showcase your knowledge, skills and experience of teaching in SEND and inclusive settings.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- seminars
- workshops
- lectures
- one-to-one and group tutorials
How you're assessed
You'll complete two teaching blocks over the course of study, with each teaching block consisting of two modules. Each module consists of two to three assignments.
You’ll be assessed through:
- research-based essays
- teaching practice files
- digital presentations
- lesson observations
- logging personal development
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
How you'll spend your time
Part-time study
If you study part-time, you'll attend one of our partner colleges once a week, spending 4-5 hours per week in timetabled sessions.
If you're not already employed in a teaching role, you'll complete a structured placement in a Further Education setting, including:
- voluntary teaching
- supervised teaching within a placement setting
- opportunities to gradually take responsibility for planning and delivering lessons
See our partner college websites for details of the part-time version of this course:
Supporting you
Types of support
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need, your partner college should be your first point of contact for arranging reasonable adjustments.
However, our University specialist team is also available to offer advice and guidance if needed. We can help you:
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Explore reasonable adjustments in collaboration with your partner college
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Liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
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Connect with external services where appropriate
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Provide advice and support on accessing the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
There may be support available on this course through the partner college it is delivered by, for skills such as note taking, referencing and presentation skills. Please contact student services at the college for more information about accessing this type of support.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in your subject.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
You can access information on the personal, emotional and mental health support available to you from your college. They can help you understand the support available locally, as well as other support that might be available to you to help you engage with your studies and improve your wellbeing.
If you study part-time at one of our partner colleges, you’ll still be a student of the University of Portsmouth.
Of the people and services above, you’ll have access to Academic skills support, Wellbeing and mental health support, Disability advice and additional support, and Library support.
Course costs and funding
How we set our tuition fees
Fees for full-time and part-time undergraduate students from the UK and Channel Islands may increase each year, subject to conditions set by the UK or Channel Islands governments.
Fees for new international and EU undergraduate and postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time) will increase each year, based on factors such as inflation. For continuing students, fees will not increase by more than 5% per year.
For more information, please refer to our Tuition Fee Policy.
Tuition fees (September 2026 start)
Part-time (at partner college)
- UK/Channel Islands/Isle of Man students – £3,090 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- International/EU students - £8,950 (may be subject to annual increase)
Tuition fees (September 2027 start)
Please note, we’ll confirm 2027 course fees soon.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees. So you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module. We endeavour to make all required books accessible online.
You can also borrow most of these online from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £100 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Contact our Housing Support Team if you need help and advice about accommodation.
- Telephone: +44 (0)23 9284 3214
- Email: [email protected]
You may have to cover the cost of travel to and from your teaching placements.
Apply
How to apply
To apply for CertEd Further Education and Skills to start in September 2026, use our online application forms:
2 years part-time at Havant and South Downs College
2 years part-time at Isle of Wight College
2 years part-time at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh College
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
To apply for CertEd Further Education and Skills to start in September 2027, use our online application forms:
2 years part-time at Havant and South Downs College
2 years part-time at Isle of Wight College
2 years part-time at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh College
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.