How to become a special educational needs (SEN) teacher
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You can do an undergraduate degree that leads to qualified teacher status (QTS), for example:
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) with QTS
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) with QTS
You can also complete a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE), if you have a first degree without QTS. This is a common choice and can be done at university or on a school-based training programme.
There are more training options if you want to change career or specialise in teaching certain subjects.
Most teaching courses include options on teaching children with special educational needs.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
- GCSE science at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) for primary school teaching
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
More Information
Apprenticeship
You can get into this career through one of a small number of postgraduate teaching apprenticeships, if you have a degree.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths
- GCSE science at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) for primary school teaching
- a degree for a teaching apprenticeship
More Information
Work
You could start as a teaching assistant and do a part-time degree. From there, you can move onto a postgraduate teaching course to qualify as a teacher.
Volunteering
You'll find it helpful to get some experience of working with young people with special educational needs or disabilities through paid work or volunteering at a school, youth club or on a holiday scheme.
Do-it has more information on volunteering opportunities in your area.
Direct Application
If you're a qualified teacher, you can get extra training to teach pupils with special educational needs. Many local education authorities offer courses for teachers who want to do this.
More Information
Registration
- you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in a state school in England
Career tips
You can attend teacher training events before you apply to get advice about the profession, the different training routes and funding. You can attend events in person and online.
You can find out more about developing your skills for working with pupils with special educational needs from National Association for Special Educational Needs.
Professional and industry bodies
You could become a member of National Association for Special Educational Needs to help with professional development.
Further information
You can discover more about how to become a teacher from Get Into Teaching.
You can also search for jobs through the Teaching Vacancies service.