Mandatory Qualifications for HI, VI and MSI Teachers - the MQ

All qualified teachers of HI, MSI and VI children and young people are required to hold a specialist Mandatory Qualification, often known as the MQ.
The UK government guidance on the mandatory qualification can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mandatory-qualifications-specialist-teachers

MQ Documents in the Document Library

The Mandatory Qualification also has its own section in the  NatSIP document library.  You can find the MQ section here.

Looking for training pathways information?

See the Training Pathways section of the Sensory Learning Hub.  You can find the TP section here.

Mandatory Qualification

MSI MQ at Seashell Trust

Seashell Trust has been awarded a contract by the DfE to offer a PG Diploma Mandatory Qualification in MSI.  The course will start in September 2024.

This qualification to achieve Qualified Teacher of Multi-Sensory Impairment (QTMSI) is provided by Seashell and will be validated by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), which will provide quality assurance and award the Postgraduate Diploma.

This new course offers teachers wishing to specialise in MSI a choice of training course and establishment again. This ensures children with MSI have access to the specialists they need and enhances availability of course providers for the sensory impairment sector.

The Seashell Trust MQ course will be delivered through distance learning and also offer ample opportunity to visit the Seashell site and benefit from the specialist facilities there.

Expressions of interest and applications are open now and you can find out more here: https://www.seashelltrust.org.uk/mqmsi-pgdip/.