Conductive Education - BA (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry.
Transform the lives of people with disabilities and neurological motor disorders to help them as independent as possible with our BA (Hons) in Conductive Education. Delivered by the National Institute of Conductive Education (NICE), this unique course is the only one in the UK to qualify you as a professional conductor to work with children and/or adults with physical disabilities.
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location National Institute of Conductive Education
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2023
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Education and Social Work
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Overview
Transform the lives of people with disabilities and neurological motor disorders to help them as independent as possible with our BA (Hons) in Conductive Education.
Delivered by the National Institute of Conductive Education (NICE), this unique course is the only one in the UK to qualify you as a professional conductor to work with children and/or adults with physical disabilities.
What's covered in this course?
The course is structured across six semesters. Each semester lasts 15 weeks, therefore you are expected to study for a minimum of 30 weeks per year.
Over the three years you will learn about topics such as neurological motor disorders, the professional skills needed to teach and develop skills including movement, confidence, understanding and communication, conductive practice and the work of professionals in the field.
You will be taught at the Conductive College, located in Moseley, which is a dedicated training space specifically for professionals, families and carers in the field of Conductive Education. Courses, leading to a qualification, will be accredited by Birmingham City University.
The conductive college is a key tool for the development of Conductive Education in the future and an essential part of the work of the NICE - the unique charity that believes every person with a movement disorder has the right to specialised services which meet their needs.
You will also start to learn about carrying out research and begin to investigate theoretical concepts in the light of practical experience and knowledge.
By the end of the course, you will have covered a range of academic subjects, all of which will enhance your ability to work as a professional conductor in a range of different countries or cultures.
This course develops you as a person and enables you to help children and adults with complex needs and enhance their life too! There is constant practical and academic tuition, support and feedback throughout. A truly fantastic degree that makes a difference!
Susan Mechan 3rd year BA (Hons) Conductive Education student
Why Choose Us?
- This is the only course in the UK to offer these life changing skills for people who wish to work in conductive education (CE) and transform lives for those with disabilities and neurological motor disorders
- You will learn at the National Institute of Conductive Education (NICE), which is a small organisation with a community atmosphere, offering excellent support to its students
- Invaluable learning opportunities - there will be lots of opportunities for you to develop practical hands-on skills alongside qualified, experienced conductors so that you graduate ready for employment
- Benefit from our partnerships with industry - gain practical experiences both at NICE in Birmingham, as well as a range of schools and CE centres across the UK
- Gain valuable employability skills - you will graduate from this course able to work in centres, schools and units all over the world, enabling you to seek employment in a range of different countries or cultures
- Continue on to further education - you will develop your knowledge, understanding and adaptability, providing you with a solid basis from which you can achieve further qualifications e.g. PGCE
Similar Courses
Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic
The University has put in place measures in response to Covid-19 to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day this spring. It’s your chance to learn about our courses, chat to students and explore our campus and accommodation. Before the event we’ll post you an event programme to help plan your day and find your way.
Next Open Day: Saturday 25 March 2023
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2023/24.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
Essential Requirements
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96 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
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| GCSE | GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests. | |
| Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) | See level 3 entry requirements under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details. | |
| Scottish National 5 | English Language or English Literature and Maths at grade C or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests. | |
| Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) qualifications | ||
| A level and Advanced VCE |
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| AS and AS VCE |
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| Access to HE Diploma |
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| British bachelor's degree |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland) |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma |
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Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher |
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T-Levels |
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Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) |
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Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
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If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. IELTS: Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no subtest below 5.5. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
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Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 in 2023/24
- Apply via UCAS
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
Guidance for UK/EU students
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Personal statement
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
Year One
In your first year you'll gain the basic background understanding of the philosophy and methodology of Conductive Education, and start to learn about neurological movement disorders and begin to understand how these impact on the lives of children and adults.
Alongside this theoretical knowledge, you'll begin the process of developing a range of professional skills all leading to teaching children/adults how to develop skills including movement, confidence, understanding and communication.
Modules
Observation for directing active learning 20 credits
Developing professional skills through active learning 20 credits
CNS disorder and symptomatology 20 credits
Principles of Conductive Pedagogy 20 credits
Conductive facilitation for learning 20 credits
Motor learning and Conductive Education 20 credits
Year Two
In Year two, theory and practical skills will start to merge – and we’ll expect you to plan and lead programmes and sessions for either children or adults, under the supervision of a qualified conductor.
You will also start to learn about carrying out research and begin to investigate theoretical concepts in the light of practical experience and knowledge.
Modules
Conductive Pedagogy: analysis and development of learning 20 credits
The impact of motor disorders on learning in childhood and adulthood 20 credits
Learning theories for conduction 20 credits
Practice-based learning: analysing effective teaching and learning styles 20 credits
The social basis for learning 20 credits
Research Methods 20 credits
Year Three
In Year three, it's all about having increased responsibility in conductive groups under distant supervision from a conductor.
You'll extend your knowledge and understanding of motor disorders, conductive practice and the work of the professionals in the field. These theoretical concepts will be fused into practical application and you will undertake an independent piece of research.
Modules
Conductive Pedagogy: evaluation and application 20 credits
Education Research Project 20 credits
Application of Conductive Education 20 credits
Practice based learning: evaluating learning 20 credits
Effective teaching: developing professional skills in Conductive Education 20 credits
Multi-disciplinary approaches to Conductive Education 20 credits
Download course specification
Download nowCourse Structure
- Practice: NICE (Birmingham) with the opportunity to attend off-site placements in the second semester.
- Theory: to conductive education, neurological conditions, motor learning theories with relevance and a strong link to the practical experiences.
- Project work: students are expected to develop a strong theory-practice link, in preparation for employment in which they will develop skills to facilitate reflection of practical skills in the light of theoretical underpinnings. In second and third years, students are expected to identify an area of specific interest which they will then research in greater depth, by the end of which they will have produced a short dissertation.
Examples of classroom activities
- Students work in pairs and small groups, preparing together presentations, posters and discussing topics of academic and practical relevance.
- Students are encouraged to video their own practice based skills, sharing their opportunities and learning with the group.
- Students are enabled to discuss their research projects and topics for research in a supportive and friendly environment.
- Students are encouraged to participate in the annual student conference, and the college newsletter, as well as CE awareness week and other related professional activities.
Accreditation or professional associations
The students graduating from this BA course will be granted opportunity to join the UK, professional body; the PCA (Professional Conductors’ Association). Membership of this association will provide newly qualified conductors support and connections to other conductors working within the UK. With affiliated membership it is also possible for conductors working abroad to join and participate in PCA conferences and access publications, CPD and links to current thinking and research. Membership is respected by employers and conductors both within the UK, and abroad.
Employability
Enhancing employability skills
On successful completion of the course you will be qualified to work in centres and schools where Conductive Education is practiced. These are available worldwide and offer an opportunity for graduates to seek employment in different countries or cultures if wanted. Graduates are also able to enrol on a PGCE course or teacher training programme and gain this qualification.
Graduates will not only have an honours degree, but also a professional qualification; Qualified Conductor Status (QCS). This will reflect their experiences and enable them to find employment in a range of CE settings, potentially working with children and / or adults with physical disabilities. This can lead to employment in many different areas of work e.g. CE focused schools and centres, other charitable organisations, self-employment and teaching.
Links to industry
The NICE website provides an opportunity for employers and employees to advertise jobs and staff. As a training college we have solid links with many CE centres both nationally and internationally. Many students gain experience in these centres throughout their training, giving them relevant experience and exposure to these centres and the opportunities they present for future employment.
Placements
One of the most distinctive features of our Conductive Education BA (Hons) is that you are part of the team from the moment your first term starts; expect to be helping individuals from your very first week. This immersion into the delivery side of our work is consistently rated as one of the most attractive aspects of the course, as it ensures you are fully fit to practice professionally from the day you graduate.
You will undertake practical placements in groups with children/adults as an integral part of the course. These are available at specified centres across the UK. You will be given advice and support when seeking options for practical placements.
You will work as a part of a professional team for two days each week and will have the opportunity to join in professional development activities with staff at The Conductive College. You will also have free access to the annual National Conference on Conductive Education which is held at varying locations across the UK.
You may wish to take employment as an assistant in Conductive Education summer schools nationally or internationally. A dedicated website is available for students seeking work both in the UK and abroad.
BA (Hons) Conductive Education graduate
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Birmingham City University is one of the largest providers of nursing and healthcare education in the UK, with more than 7,000 students. That means if you choose to study here, you will have access to some of the most advanced training and education facilities available.
This course is based at the education charity National Institute of Conductive Education (NICE) in Moseley, Birmingham, while practice can take place at other conductive education centres across the UK.
We invest in a great learning environment to give you the best educational experience we can.
Our staff
Annamaria Berger-Jones
Conductor - Senior Lecturer
Annamaria has been working in the field of special educational needs and disabilities for over 20 years in various sectors and roles. Currently she is completing her doctoral thesis with a focus on professional identity and theorising the philosophy of conductive education. She works as a senior lecturer and teaches on undergraduate and...
More about Annamaria