PgC National Award for SEN Coordination

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

1st or 2nd class honours degree.

Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course. Please contact the Enquiry Centre for further details. 

More information about levels and credits.

Selection criteria

An honours degree or equivalent from a recognised institution if you are a UK resident. EU and overseas applicants appropriate equivalence will apply. Applicants without standard qualifications must demonstrate:

• the capacity for theoretical debate
• a high level of motivation
• the capacity for independent study
• the ability to achieve the proposed programme of work

Students for whom English is not their first language must have achieved IELTS level 6 English language qualification.

All participants must be holders of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), QTLS or EYTS (only for children 0-5). They must also be holders of the post of SENCo; this can be either as a new SENCo, or as an experienced SENCo. Those preparing for the role, providing that they are able to exercise the role of SENCo, and experience the full range of responsibilities of SENCo, may join the course as they are transitioning into the role as part of their setting's succession planning.

Since this postgraduate course must be at Level 7, and constitutes 60 Masters level credits (equivalent to a third of a Masters degree), applicants must be able to complete study at a high level, work collaboratively with other SENCos and independently on the course to complete assessments, bring about real change in their settings and benefit from the support of their school/setting leadership team and governors as appropriate to facilitate this. Support is given in developing the skills to complete practitioner research, also a vital element of the course assessment.

Application information

Making your application

Applications should be made online directly to the university - visit our website or contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk for details and guidance. There is no official closing date but we would encourage you to apply as early as possible, as many courses are competitive.

What makes a good application?

We consider all aspects of your application, not simply your qualifications and grades. We look at your academic background and performance, relevant experience (particularly for professional courses where some voluntary or paid experience is required) and your reference. Above all, we look for motivation, commitment and potential - evidence that you can benefit from study at higher education level.

Make sure you include:

• Relevant qualifications/evidence of ability: check our website for the specific entry requirements required for each course. Tell us your previous academic results and your projected grades.
• A supportive reference, from an employer or your school or college.
• A good personal statement.

Explain clearly what attracts you to the course and tell us about your wider interests and experience. If you are applying for a course that incorporates professional training and placements, you should include any relevant experience or visits you have made in the workplace. Highlight your individual strengths and qualities, personal skills, capacity for teamwork, contribution to the community and your enterprise, originality and determination. Select some activities which bring out these qualities.

What next?

When we receive your application, we will send you an acknowledgement and if you are successful at this stage you will get either - an offer (with an invitation to visit the campus to which you have applied), or - an invitation to interview on a particular date. If we are not able to offer you a place on your chosen course we will usually try to offer you a place on a similar course and will contact you to discuss this. Alternatively, if we think you are suitable, but cannot offer you a place on your preferred campus because of the level of competition, we will offer you a place at another campus if one is available.

And if I accept?

The admissions team will contact you and send further information from February onwards about accommodation, and from May/June onwards about preparing to join the university. If you have any other queries, please telephone the admissions offices for information and advice on 0845 6061144.

Deferred entry

We welcome applications for deferred entry on some courses. If you have specific plans during your year out, indicate these on your personal statement as they may be relevant to your course and could enhance your application.

International students

Please see the international pages of our website for full details of our entry requirements (including English-language skills) as well as contacts for advice and support.

From 2009 the UK Border Agency introduced a Points-Based Immigration System (PBS) for students coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

Students entering higher education will need to obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) plus finance confirmation to obtain a Tier 4 student visa.

UK education providers are licensed by the UK Border Agency. When students apply for their visa (or entry clearance) they will need a valid Certificate of Acceptance of Studies from the university. Please note that a CAS is not a guarantee that a visa will be issued.

See the following websites for further details:

• www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk
• www.ukcisa.org.uk