Portobello Institute Marks 45 Years of Education with Expansion of Health Science Faculty

Portobello Institute is proud to celebrate 45 years of delivering expert-led, accessible education, reaching a significant milestone in January 2026, with the commencement of its inaugural MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration) programme and the addition of new MSc programmes in Occupational Therapy and Dietetics.

Founded in 1981, Portobello Institute has supported countless learners to progress their careers and transform their lives. The launch of this new postgraduate programme and expansion of the health science faculty reflects the Institute’s continued commitment to addressing real societal needs through high-quality, practice-led education.

Rebekah Lyons, Chief Executive Officer of Portobello Institute, welcomes the continued progress and diversification of educational pathways:

"Founded by my mother, Delia Lyons, in 1981 with a vision to empower learners through accessible qualifications, Portobello Institute has been a beacon of learning and personal development for over four decades.

"Our journey began with a commitment to providing high-quality education that transforms lives. From our humble beginnings, we have grown into a well-known and respected centre of learning that nurtures talent and fosters success across a diverse range of disciplines.

"The launch of our MSc Speech and Language Therapy programme is a particularly meaningful milestone as it allows us to contribute directly to addressing a critical skills shortage within the Irish healthcare system," she said.

The MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-registration) programme is awarded by Portobello Institute’s university partner, Health Sciences University. The collaboration brings an innovative and comprehensive training pathway to Ireland, supporting a new wave of speech and language therapists to qualify, upskill and strengthen the national workforce.

According to the latest government data, almost 20,000 children across Ireland are currently waiting for an initial speech and language assessment. Graduates of this programme will be equipped with the academic knowledge, clinical skills and professional competence required to meet growing demand across health and social care settings.

Denise Flood, Executive Dean, reflects on the pride of Portobello's growth.

“Welcoming our first MSc Speech and Language Therapy students is a proud moment not only because of what this programme represents, but because of the people who have chosen to begin this journey with us. This inaugural cohort will help shape the culture and standards of the programme for years to come.

"At Portobello Institute, we place strong emphasis on learner support, professional readiness and ethical practice. Through our partnership with Health Sciences University (HSU) and the expertise of our academic and clinical teams, we are committed to ensuring graduates leave not only qualified, but confident, compassionate and ready to contribute meaningfully to services across Ireland,” she said.

The inaugural cohort begins their studies in January 2026, marking the next chapter in Portobello Institute’s long-standing mission to deliver education that creates opportunity, impact and lasting change.

New Opportunities in Health Science

The future career opportunities in health sciences don't stop there, with the addition of two brand new MSc programmes added to Portobello Institute's faculty to begin the year.

Adding to our existing MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-reg.) and Speech and Language Therapy, new courses of MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-reg.) and MSc Dietetics (Pre-reg.) are now enrolling for inaugural classes in autumn 2026.

These new courses, also delivered in partnership with HSU, bring new opportunities for access to crucial careers in the healthcare sector.

New courses also include a BSc (Hons) Health Science undergraduate programme and Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Health Science conversion course, offering pathways onto master's programmes for everyone from career changers to school leavers.

Portobello Institute looks ahead to continuing its work making education accessible and encouraging individuals to follow their passion to fulfil their potential in the career they really want. 

If you are interested in any of our health sciences pathways, explore our faculty here.