Course Overview
The BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice – Top-Up is a one-year Level 8 honours degree designed for graduates of ordinary degree programmes in education or early learning. It develops advanced skills in inclusive practice, behaviour support, and SEN, preparing graduates for specialist roles supporting children and young people in education settings.
The BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice – Top-Up builds on your existing degree to develop advanced professional expertise in inclusive education. This one-year honours programme focuses on practical strategies that support children and young people with diverse learning needs across early years, primary, post-primary, and specialist education environments.
The programme encourages a reflective and professional approach to inclusive practice, equipping you with the skills to support self-regulation, participation, and positive learning outcomes. Rather than focusing solely on behaviour management, you will learn how to create supportive learning environments that promote inclusion and engagement for all learners.
Delivered through flexible blended learning, this programme allows you to complete your honours degree while continuing to work or manage other commitments.
Career & Study Pathways in Inclusive Education
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice – Top-Up develop specialist knowledge and practical experience that is increasingly valued across education and support services.
This qualification prepares you for roles that support the inclusion of children and young people with additional learning needs across a wide range of educational and community settings.
Typical career pathways include:
- Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support Practitioner
- Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
- Inclusion Support Worker
- Learning Support Assistant
- Early Years Inclusion Practitioner
- Behaviour Support Practitioner
- Education Support Roles in primary or secondary schools
- Community and disability support services
Graduates may also progress to postgraduate study in inclusive education, special educational needs, education leadership, or child development, supporting advancement into specialist or leadership roles.
Teaching, Learning & Practical Training
The programme is designed to combine academic knowledge with practical professional development, ensuring graduates are confident applying inclusive strategies in real educational settings.
You will explore evidence-based approaches to supporting children with diverse needs while developing skills in reflective practice, collaborative working, and inclusive learning design.
The course integrates theory, practice, and real-world application, preparing you to contribute effectively to inclusive education environments.
Learning Approach
Teaching is delivered through a blended learning model, combining online lectures, workshops, and independent study.
Learning methods include:
- Interactive online lectures and seminars
- Case-based learning and real-world scenarios
- Reflective professional practice
- Applied assessments connected to workplace contexts
- Peer collaboration and professional networking
This flexible learning structure allows you to balance study with employment while building advanced professional knowledge.
Practical & Placement Experience
Students complete 100 hours of practical placement, allowing you to apply inclusive education strategies in real learning environments.
Placement hours are fully flexible, allowing you to organise them at times that suit your schedule. Hours can be completed in a block or spread across the academic year, supporting those combining work and study.
Placement settings may include:
- Special education settings
- Early learning and care environments
- Primary schools
- Secondary schools
- Inclusion support services
If you are already employed in a support or inclusive education role, you may be able to complete the placement within your workplace, allowing you to integrate learning directly into professional practice.
Academic Support
Students on the BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice – Top-Up benefit from strong academic and professional support throughout their studies.
Support includes:
- Dedicated academic tutors
- Structured feedback on assessments
- Access to digital learning resources and academic databases
- Guidance on research, academic writing, and reflective practice
This structured support helps students confidently progress through the programme while balancing professional commitments.
SEN Expert Teaching
The programme is delivered by lecturers with extensive experience in inclusive education, special educational needs (SEN), and educational practice.
Teaching is informed by current research, policy, and real-world professional experience, ensuring that the programme reflects best practice in supporting diverse learners.
Learning from experienced practitioners allows you to develop practical strategies that can be applied immediately in education and support settings.
Award
This level 8 honours degree top-up, awarded by the University of Essex, is recognised across Ireland and the UK.
CATS = Module Credits in the UK
ECTS = Module Credits in Ireland
If you join this Top-Up course and already hold a level 7 degree Inclusive Education Practice degree from Portobello Institute (University of Essex validated programme), you will complete the following modules:
- Professional Development: Sharing the Learning – 15 CATS/7.5ECTS
- Research Methods for Evidence-based Practice and Dissertation – 45 CATS/22.5 ECTS
If you are joining this Top-Up course and hold a hold a level 7 degree Early Childhood Care & Education degree from Portobello Institute (University of Essex validated programme), or A relevant qualification from a different provider you will complete the following modules:
- Approaches to Inclusive Education OR Understanding Development in Middle Childhood and
Adolescence – 30 CATS/15 ECTS - Psychology of Learning and Behaviour – 30 CATS/15 ECTS
- Professional Development: Sharing the Learning – 15 CATS/7.5ECTS
- Research Methods for Evidence-based Practice and Dissertation – 45 CATS/22.5 ECTS
Jacinta Murphy
Position: Early Years Lecturer
“When I returned to education in 2000 to study Montessori Teaching, I knew I had found my life’s passion. I am passionate about my job and I want to instil in others what has been given to me.”
About Jacinta
I began working in early education in 1994, and to be honest, did not know what I was taking on, but the times of work fitted with my family! Little did I know that I would find my life’s passion.
I was fascinated by these young people and the fact that the sector was unregulated and basically providers could do what they liked. I began to read on the subject and improve my practice and returned to education in 2000 to study the Montessori Method.
Since then, I have not stopped learning, through study, working with children and families, and through my role as a manager/lead practitioner in rural, urban, affluent, and disadvantaged areas.
My experiences provide me with vast industry insight as I have experienced vast changes within our sector, frameworks, legislation and other.
In a setting, each year brings a different group dynamic, therefore it is essential to have the ability to reflect upon and amend provisions and practices to meet the needs of children, families, and staff. I hope that bringing my practical experiences in the setting into my tutorials allows students to link theory and practice.
In 2004, I became a tutor at Portobello Institute on a part-time basis. Currently, I work full-time for the Institute supporting full-time QQI Level 6 students in Child Development, Early Childhood Curriculum, Social, Legal and Health Studies and Personal and Professional Development.
I am part of a vital, vibrant team who supports Level 7 Early Childhood Studies Degree students studying through a blended approach. I lead modules such as Children’s Rights in Today’s World, Enquiry-Based Learning and Communicating in Multilingual Contexts.
Jacinta’s Teaching Philosophy
My approach is that all students have something to give and to learn, true learning is a two-way process, I love to see students discussing their life experiences to make sense of theory.
Many of the students are experienced practitioners and their practical knowledge should be valued. Just as no two children learn the same, similar could be said of adults, people learn in different ways and therefore I try to use a variety of approaches to suit the needs of the group in question.
I also understand the pressure of completing studies with work, families, and other commitments, as I have been there, and can offer some practical tips.
My greatest achievements as a tutor are to see students who are returning to education with little confidence in themselves and their abilities, blossom and grow both as students and practitioners.
Key valuable graduate attributes are, of course, the knowledge required to be an early year’s practitioner and the ability to apply that knowledge in their setting.
However, there are other equally vital tools, such as compassion, to be able to look at situations from various perspectives to gain understanding and allow for appropriate planning.
The ability to reach, support and work with all children, families, and staff in the setting is fundamental to quality provision.
Building respectful, reciprocal relationships is essential to providing quality experiences which benefit children’s learning and development.
I hope to instil the ability to reflect critically, without criticising, to examine attributes, biases, and areas for improvement and to plan accordingly.
Qualifications
- MA Early Childhood Studies
- BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Industry Participation
- Teacher providing July Provision, a home-based programme for children with complex needs.
- Assisted the set up of a Homework Club, Mother and Toddler Group and Woman’s Group in a disadvantaged area through government funding. This group won a Millennium Award for their efforts, it was a proud day to receive this award in Dublin Castle with 2 others.
- HETAC Montessori Course Liaison
- Child Protection Course facilitator
May Schedule 2026
The summer academic year of the blended learning delivery mode of this degree commences on May 16th, 2026.
Your start date and course schedule depends on where your previous qualification is from, and any module exemptions you may have.
In general, if your previous qualification is from University of Essex through Portobello Institute, a provisional schedule of the top up year is available here. This is subject to change.
In general, if your previous qualifications are from any other education provider, a provisional class schedule is available here. This is subject to change.
Please speak to our admissions advisor about your entry route.
Saturday workshops are held online from 10am to 1pm.
Evening webinars are scheduled between 7 – 9pm and are recorded should you be unavailable to attend the live session.
You are required to complete 100 hours in an inclusive environment for each academic year. This can be completed at a time convenient to you and within your role if you are employed within SEND.
Course materials are available weekly for download from our eLearning platform. Tutor support from expert practitioners and structured online content make this course flexible and accessible alongside your work and family commitments.
Work Placement
The placement hours (100 hours each academic year) can be taken as a block or on a weekly basis to suit your needs if you are combining work and studies. If you are employed in an inclusive support role, you can do the placement at your place of work.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice develop the specialist knowledge and practical skills required to support inclusive learning environments and children with additional educational needs across early years and school settings.
As inclusive education continues to expand across Ireland and internationally, there is increasing demand for practitioners who understand special educational needs (SEN), behaviour support, child development and inclusive teaching practices. This degree prepares graduates to support diverse learners while contributing to inclusive educational environments.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice commonly work in:
- Early learning and care (ELC) settings
- Primary schools
- Post-primary schools
- Special education settings
- Additional needs and disability services
- Community and family support services
Typical graduate roles include:
- Inclusive education practitioner
- Special educational needs (SEN) support practitioner
- Learning support assistant or educator
- Inclusion support coordinator
- Behaviour support practitioner
- Additional needs educator
Professionals with qualifications in inclusive education are valued for their ability to support learners with diverse needs, implement inclusive teaching strategies and promote positive behaviour and participation in learning.
Progression and Further Study
The BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice also provides a strong academic foundation for further study in education and child development.
Graduates may progress to postgraduate programmes in areas such as:
- Special and Inclusive Education
- Educational Leadership and Management
- Child Development and Additional Needs
- Behaviour Analysis or Behaviour Support
These progression routes can lead to specialist, leadership or advisory roles within inclusive education services and educational organisations.
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1Complete the online application form.
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2Review of your application with confirmation of eligibility criteria and entry requirements being met or a request for further information
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3You will be "Provisionally Accepted" and offered a place by email.
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4Confirm your acceptance of a place and pay the deposit as detailed.
Course: €3,385 + Exam Body Reg. Fee: €335.00
Option 1
33% deposit payment (€1,348.05), followed by 8 scheduled payments on the first of each month, commencing the 1st of the month after the start date of the course. Includes one off instalment fee of €365.
- €342.12 due in month 1
- €342.12 due in month 2
- €342.12 due in month 3
- €342.12 due in month 4
- €342.12 due in month 5
- €342.12 due in month 6
- €342.12 due in month 7
- €342.12 due in month 8
