Special Educational Needs

This postgraduate programme equips registered teachers with advanced knowledge and skills in supporting learners with a wide range of educational needs, including autism spectrum conditions, dyslexia, learning difficulties and emotional or behavioural challenges. You explore the theoretical and legislative frameworks underpinning inclusive education in Ireland, including the EPSEN Act and the SET allocation model. Modules typically combine academic study with reflective practice in your own school setting, and you develop competency in evidence-based assessment, intervention planning, and differentiated teaching strategies. A typical week might involve online lectures or blended learning sessions, school-based inquiry projects, and collaborative engagement with colleagues and special education teams. Some programmes offer a research dissertation pathway leading to the full MEd award.

Entry to this programme requires you to hold a recognised teaching qualification and be registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland. Most providers expect a primary Honours Bachelor degree (NFQ Level 8) in education or a related discipline, and many require at least one to two years of classroom teaching experience. A recognised undergraduate degree in another field combined with a Professional Master of Education (PME) qualification is typically also accepted. There is no CAO process at this level; applications are made directly to the institution and competition can be moderate to high depending on the provider. Some institutions facilitate part-time or blended delivery to accommodate working teachers, and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may apply for experienced professionals with relevant continuing professional development.

Demand for qualified Special Education Teachers remains strong across Ireland, driven by rising identification rates for additional educational needs and ongoing government investment in inclusion. The NCSE continues to support schools in implementing the SET model, and schools are actively seeking teachers with postgraduate SEN qualifications to lead whole-school inclusion planning. Salaries for SET-qualified teachers follow Department of Education pay scales, with additional allowances possible, and experienced SETs can earn in the region of €45,000 to €70,000 gross per annum depending on scale point. The broader policy direction in Irish education strongly favours inclusive practice, making this a stable and valued specialism.