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How to Teach in the UK: A Beginner’s Guide

According to the latest official figures, around 9% of the UK population consists of people of a different nationality. It’s a welcoming, diverse nation with career opportunities in many industries.

So if you are thinking about teaching abroad, the UK could be a great place for you to emigrate. There are lots of state and private schools that all need dedicated teachers no matter where they are from.

But to teach in the UK, you will need to meet certain conditions. This guide will help you start your journey to become a teacher in the UK and make your dreams a reality!

Requirements and Qualifications

At the most basic level, if you want to teach in the UK you need to speak excellent English. Concentrate on improving this skill first as you will need to pass an English test if you are from a non-English speaking country.

But the good news is that if you have a teaching qualification from your home country, you can likely use it to apply for teaching jobs in the UK. For four years, at least. Then, if you want to live and work as a teacher in the UK full-time, you will need to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

What you need to do to gain this status depends on your existing qualifications, level of experience, and nationality. You may only need to apply to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) or you may need to complete a course.

You should also follow the guidelines from the specific country within the UK that you want to live in. Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland all have separate education systems.

Visa Options to Teach in the UK

There are many visa options for international teachers seeking a UK teaching job. These are:

  • Skilled worker visa
  • Graduate visa
  • Youth Mobility Scheme visa
  • Family or ancestry visa

All visas have conditions including nationality and age. Do your research to find the best option for your circumstances. 

Finding Teaching Jobs in the UK

The minimum salary of teachers in the UK depends on location. Qualified teachers in London earn at least £32,157, but in the rest of England, that figure is only £25,714.

As an international teacher, you will need to earn above a certain threshold to meet your visa requirements. But if you do only get a part-time job, you might be able to supplement your income with substitute teaching via a platform like The Supply Register.

You can find teaching jobs through council websites, recruitment agencies, and other job sites. 

Continue Your Teaching Career Across the Pond

Whether you want to qualify to teach in the UK or continue your career, there are ways you can do so. You only need to choose the right visa option and job opportunity for you. And before you know it, you’ll be teaching your students to spell “colour” instead of “color”!

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