Looking to gain work experience in the UK? There is a shortage of teachers in England, which creates opportunities for skilled professionals who want to work abroad. The subjects with the highest demands for teachers include STEM subjects like Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science.
Find out more about the requirements for becoming a teacher in the UK and understand how IELTS supports you in your goals of working abroad.
Obtain your UK visa
If you want to teach in the UK, you will need to apply for a Skilled Worker visa. Requirements include a certificate of sponsorship from the institution that plans to employ you. You will also need to provide proof of your proficiency in English, confirming that you can speak, read, write and understand the language well enough to thrive in your role as an educator.
If you completed your teaching degree in the UK, you can apply for a Graduate visa. This visa allows recently graduated students to remain in the UK and find work experience. Learn more on the UK government website.
Register with educational boards
Teachers who qualified outside of the UK will need to obtain Qualified Teacher Status in order to teach in England. You can work as a teacher in England for up to four years before obtaining this qualification. Learn more about Qualified Teacher Status here.
Teaching in Wales also requires Qualified Teacher Status, but this is awarded by the Education Workforce Council. Learn more about the requirements to teach in Wales here.
To gain teaching experience in Northern Ireland and work in a publicly funded school, you should register with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland. Learn more on their website.
If you plan to teach in Scotland, you will need to register with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. There are various categories you can register for depending on the subjects and age levels you plan to teach.
IELTS requirements
IELTS is trusted by institutions in the UK, making it the ideal test to meet visa and employer language requirements. If you want to obtain Qualified Teacher Status so you can teach in England or Wales, you will require an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or higher. Some schools may expect IELTS scores of 7.0 or higher so be sure to confirm with the institution you have applied to what their minimum IELTS scores are.
As co-owners of the IELTS test, the British Council is dedicated to giving you expert support throughout your IELTS journey. Register now and achieve your goals as an educator abroad.