12th January 2024

A guide to teaching in the UK

Teaching can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding jobs out there, and moving abroad to expand your professional experience can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Many teachers are interested in teaching abroad for many reasons, whether to build their CV or experience a new culture. The UK is an attractive hotspot for many teachers because it offers the perfect blend of travel, culture, and professional experience. However, many teachers are unsure of how to relocate to the UK, as the process can seem daunting. 

We’ve put together a short guide for teachers outside the UK to utilise if they’re considering relocating and teaching in the UK.

Step 1: Check whether you can get a Visa

Most teachers will be able to get a working Visa for the UK fairly easily, however, you must consider the amount of experience you have as well as the location that you’re coming from. Currently, the following countries are eligible for a working Visa:

Once you’re aware of the visa that you’ll be granted, you’ll have a better idea of how long your stay in the UK could be. Most visas offer a minimum of 1–5 years as a starting point.

Step 2: Finding an area that you like

It’s crucial when relocating to a new country to research where you’d like to be based. There are thousands of schools in the UK, so you’re spoiled for choice! When considering an area, you want to look at the following:

Have an area already in mind? Find out more about the areas we cover here.

Transport links

Whether you intend to work in a city or a smaller town/village, you want to ensure that there are adequate transport links to the schools that you’d consider working at. Realistically, you’ll be reliant on public transport for the first year or two of your career. Getting a car can be expensive and also difficult if you have to apply for an international licence or take a test in the UK. 

Rental options

Depending on where you want to be based in the UK, it’s important to check out the nearby rental options as some locations will be saturated, whereas others will have few and far between options. You also want to ensure that the rental options are in budget and that you’re happy with the agreement you have in place. Ultimately, this is going to be your base for at least a year – so ensure that you research the options available and find something that is going to be attractive for you in terms of size and price. 

Something we call “A Slice of Home”

No matter how much you’ve travelled or how much you enjoy meeting new people, relocating can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. It’s important to ensure that you have a “slice of home” wherever you go, so you can connect with others who share the same language and culture as you. 

There are multiple communities within the UK, whether they’re religious or cultural – and we’d always advise (especially if you’re relocating alone) to find these groups before relocating. For example, Nigerians in the UK, Canadians in the UK, and Aussies in the UK are great online communities for expats to communicate and connect whilst living in the UK. You may decide that a community or “slice of home” isn’t important to you – but if you’ve never lived abroad before, and you’re relocating alone, we recommend it.

Social and weekend activities

Whether you’re a foodie or a film fanatic, hiker or book lover, it’s essential that when relocating you scope out social and weekend activities that fit in with your lifestyle. For example, if you’re moving from a rural area into a city, it’s going to be a big adjustment for your social life, and can sometimes be overwhelming if you aren’t used to being in busy places. 

As important as it is to step out of your comfort zone, you’ve also got to ensure that you aren’t turning your lifestyle upside down. The beauty of living and teaching in the UK is the variety that you have access to, so don’t feel like you have to live in a city because it’s what the majority of teachers do. Find social and weekend activities that complement your lifestyle!

Step 3: Finding a recruiter who can help you relocate

Finally, it’s time to find a recruiter who is going to be able to help you to relocate! Once you’ve got an idea of the area that you’d like to live in, the cost of living, and the visa that you’ll need, you can start looking at and applying for roles. At Engage, we love teachers who want to relocate! 

We’re partnered with some of the most exciting and innovative schools across the country that are eager for international teaching staff. Get started by registering here and our team will be in touch: Register here