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
Most teaching courses include options on teaching children with special educational needs.
Undergraduate degree
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
Postgraduate certificate
If you already have a bachelor's degree without qualified teacher status, you can complete a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). This is a common choice and can be done at university or through a training programme based in a school.
More teacher training options
There are more training options if you want to change career or specialise in teaching certain subjects.
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 do a degree level teaching apprenticeship 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. You could then 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.
You could volunteer at a school or work at a youth club or on a holiday scheme.
You can also find volunteering opportunities through Do IT.
Direct Application
If you're a qualified teacher, you can get extra training to teach students with special educational needs. You can find a course through your local education authority.
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 a Get Into Teaching event before you apply to get advice about teaching, funding and the different training routes available. You can attend events in person and online.
You can find out more teaching students with special educational needs from National Association for Special Educational Needs and Get Into Teaching.
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.