Disability Studies with Inclusive Practice - BA (Hons) (Top-up)

Our BA (Hons) Disability Studies with Inclusive Practice Honours Top Up degree is for those students who have successfully completed the FdA Disability Studies with Inclusive Practice from University Centre at Blackburn College and who now wish to study at honours level. The top-up degree offer opportunities for students to increase your knowledge and understanding of the key messages inherent in current Government policy within the area of social care and education. This will help graduates to empower service users in order to bring about change and also encourage a graduate workforce that is fit for sector demand.

Here at the University Centre at Blackburn College we offer a comprehensive approach to exploring disablement from birth to death. Our team believes that this lifespan approach better enables you to contemplate the barriers and opportunities open to disabled people when partaking in society. This is pertinent when considering rights based approach to disability as societal attitudes and responses to perceived ‘deficit’ can and do have far reaching consequences for disabled people. At present all other undergraduate courses relating to Disability Studies focus on either Education or Nursing.

In opting to continue on this final top-up year, you will be at the forefront of contemporary debates surrounding practice and provision for disabled people. This can open the door to numerous employment opportunities such as teaching in primary or tertiary education, policy development, equality and diversity, human resources, management opportunities within relevant settings such as care and charities etc.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level.

Level 6 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

• Disability and Identity
• International Perspectives of Disability and Difference
• A Society Fit for All
• Professionalism and Inclusive Practice
• Dissertation

In order to join this programme you will need to have successfully completed Disability Studies with Inclusive Practice FdA. If you have received less than a Merit grade overall in your Foundation Degree you will be required to attend a guidance interview first to ensure you are fully prepared for the Top Up programme. Additional preparation for study at the Top Up programme may be required.

Care Leavers or Young Carers

We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. For example, a standard offer of CCC, would become CCD. MMM at Level 3 Extended Diploma would become MMP. To apply we advise that you tick the box on your UCAS application which identifies you have spent time in care and to help identify you as eligible for our contextual offer.

One of the major strengths of the programme is out inclusive approach to assessment. Within all modules a choice of assessment is available and you will be able to choose which method of assessment you prefer depending on the module or subject matter being covered. Across the whole programme you will still experience a range of assessment methods including both verbal and written elements to ensure full exposure to a range of assessment techniques and to encourage a thorough understanding of the subject. 

Each module is formally assessed through, for example, examination, open-book test, individual and group presentation, essay, observation of practice, assessment of course work e.g. art portfolio, written report, reflective practice and portfolios of evidence.  This formal assessment will count towards your module mark and feedback is usually given within 3 weeks following the submission of your formal submission of work.

Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal feedback, for example, following an examination they may choose to work through the exam paper in a tutorial. It should be noted that feedback is part of the ongoing learning cycle which is not limited to written feedback. Other forms of feedback include one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor, dissertation and project supervision meetings, a lecturer responding to learner questions or responses during topic or situation discussions. 

Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, laboratories and workshops, library and skills labs, art and photography studios, small group and quiet zones. Learning methods will vary according to the programme of study but will include lectures and group tutorials. In addition, seminars, field trips, work placements, role play or scenario activities, laboratory and workshop practical, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions and debates all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject specific skills and knowledge and the development of transferable and employment related skills.

You should typically expect to have around 15 contact hours per week if you are studying full time.

In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor.  

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.  The team could include senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.  You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Timetables

We endeavour to make timetables available one month before you start your course.  Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week.  Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week. 

Overall Workload

You overall workload consists of class contact hours, around 15 hours of independent learning and assessment activity and any field trips which may take place.

Academic Support

We have a dedicated Student Engagement Team who will be able to provide support in the following areas;

• Study Skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
• Written English
• Academic Writing (including referencing)
• Research Skills

The degree has been designed to develop graduates for the workplace supporting disabled children, young people, adults and their families. Graduates of the programme will be best placed to progress into a range of careers in education, health and social care. Career pathways include Teacher Training, Family Support, Equalities Officers and Special Educational Needs teaching.

Going to University is not as expensive as you think. There are no upfront fees to pay if you take out a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance England. Don't forget to apply as early as possible to secure your fees before you start your course.