Job hunting decisions and tips
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How do you get a teaching job in Northern Ireland?
Kirsty Osman from Cardiff University advises on where to look for vacancies and how to get a teaching job in Northern Ireland.
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How do you get a teaching job in Scotland?
Suzanne Agnew from the University of Edinburgh explains how to get a teaching job in Scotland and the role of the teacher induction scheme for probationer teachers.
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Teaching jobs: where to find them and when to apply
Alison Proudlove from Manchester Metropolitan University gives the lowdown on local authority registration schemes, pool applications and the other approaches schools use to recruit newly qualified teachers.
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Teaching job jargon buster
The education sector makes plentiful use of acronyms, so we've put together a handy guide to commonly used teaching jargon to help you plan for career success.
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How do you get your first job in teaching?
Alison Proudlove from Manchester Metropolitan University provides guidance on the job hunting process for teachers to help you identify the role you want and succeed in getting it.
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What kind of school do you want to teach in?
The way a school is funded and managed has a big impact on its working environment. Before you apply for a teaching job you need to think about what you want to get out of it and what kind of school will best suit your needs.
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How do you get a teaching job in Wales?
Kirsty Osman from Cardiff University discusses how to get a teaching job in Wales and the priority subjects identified by the Welsh government.
Applications
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Before you apply: teaching application form and CV checklist
Alison Proudlove from Manchester Metropolitan University explains what you should know about a school before you apply for a teaching job and what to expect from the application form.
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How to write a great personal statement for a teaching job
Alison Proudlove from Manchester Metropolitan University gives tips on what to cover in your personal statement when you apply to work as a teacher and how to present your skills, knowledge, experience and beliefs.
Interviews and assessment centres
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Typical teaching interview questions
Alison Proudlove from Manchester Metropolitan University lets you know the questions that are likely to come up during the interview for your first graduate teaching job, whether in a primary or secondary school.
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Perform your best in your teaching interview
Alison Proudlove from Manchester Metropolitan University lets you know how to impress at interview for your first job, whether it’s a panel or pool interview, and gives tips for the sample lesson.
Pay and progression
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Salary prospects for teachers
Alison Proudlove from Manchester Metropolitan University shares her knowledge on what you can expect to earn as a newly qualified teacher in a state school in England.
Training and qualification
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Join a teaching union as a graduate
Joining a teaching union will offer you protection throughout your career.
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How do you train to become a teacher?
Paul Barnes from the University of Portsmouth provides an overview of how to train to become a teacher and explains the different options open to you, including the PGCE and the School Direct training programme.
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The induction year for newly qualified teachers
Newly qualified teachers in England and Wales undertake a year-long induction period to develop their skills and enable them to teach confidently in any school.
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Write a great application for teacher training
Gill Kilvington from the University of Hull explains the process for applying for teacher training across the UK, including a timetable to fill you in on what to do when.
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Funding for teacher training
You might be surprised by the bursaries and scholarships available to train to teach some subjects. Paul Barnes from the University of Portsmouth gives information about the financial support and loans provided in England.
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Training and qualifications for alternative careers in education
Interested in teaching children with special educational needs, or going into museum education or TEFL? AGCAS editors explain training options for alternative careers related to education that don't involve teaching children in a classroom.
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How do you apply for postgraduate initial teacher education and training?
The application process for teacher training varies depending on the programme you want to carry out. Paul Barnes from the University of Portsmouth fills you in on how to apply for PGCEs, PGDEs, early years initial teacher training, School Direct and other routes.
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Training to teach in further and higher education
Paul Barnes from the University of Portsmouth shows you the range of qualifications available to train to teach in further education and how to become a higher education lecturer.
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How do you become a teacher?
Jill Valentine from Sheffield Hallam University gives you the answers you need before you decide where to apply to train, including what QTS is and the subjects taught at primary and secondary level.
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Training to teach in Northern Ireland
You apply directly to institutions for postgraduate teacher training in Northern Ireland. Kirsty Osman from Cardiff University helps you to explore your options with an overview of qualification requirements and list of course providers and PGCEs.
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How do you get a job in teaching after training?
Alison Proudlove from Manchester Metropolitan University explains the essentials about starting your career after training, including what you can earn as a newly qualified teacher, when you should apply for jobs and the induction period.
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Training to teach in Scotland
Suzanne Agnew from the University of Edinburgh explains the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), which is the main graduate entry route into teaching in Scotland. Check out the entry requirements and how to apply.
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How to get the work experience you need to teach
Jill Valentine from Sheffield Hallam University discusses the expectations of teacher training providers when it comes to school experience, in light of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Training to teach in Wales
Kirsty Osman from Cardiff University provides an insight into the university based PGCE route and the new salaried PGCE route for teacher training in Wales, along with the qualifications you'll need and the Welsh learning you'll undertake.
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How to write your personal statement for teacher training
Your personal statement is a crucial part of your application for a teacher training place. Gill Kilvington from the University of Hull lets you know what training providers will be looking for and what to cover, from reasons for applying to school experience.
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What different types of school can you teach in?
Jill Valentine from Sheffield Hallam University provides an overview of different kinds of schools in England, helping you to discover the range of types of state-maintained schools, such as academies and free schools, as well as the independent sector.
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What qualifications do you need to become a teacher?
Jill Valentine from Sheffield Hallam University lets you know the qualifications you need to apply for teacher training and gets you up-to-date with the requirements around GCSEs, professional skills tests and your degree.
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Interview questions for teacher training
Gill Kilvington from the University of Hull helps you to prepare for your postgraduate teacher training interview with a list of typical questions, covering areas ranging from why you want to teach to your choice of degree subject.
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What to expect from the teacher training interview and selection day
Your teacher training selection day could include written tests, a presentation and teaching a mini lesson in school, as well as a panel interview. Gill Kilvington from the University of Hull explains what admissions tutors are looking for.
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Overview of your postgraduate teacher training options
Are you considering a PGCE, PGDE, SCITT, or the School Direct or Teach First programmes? Do you want to teach children in the early years? Paul Barnes from the University of Portsmouth guides you through the different types of teacher training programme that lead to qualified teacher status.
Specialisms
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Early years education: teaching specialism
AGCAS editors give you an insight into a graduate career as an early years teacher and how you'll help children to learn through play.
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Primary education: teaching specialism
AGCAS editors explore the experience of primary school teachers and explain your options when it comes to teaching across the range of subjects or training to specialise.
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Secondary education: teaching specialism
AGCAS editors explain what makes a successful secondary school teacher and provide an overview of secondary education.
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Teaching in independent schools
Could teaching in an independent school be the right graduate career choice for you?
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Alternative careers in education
AGCAS editors help you to explore the careers in education open to you other than teaching in a school, whether you’ve already trained as a teacher or are still considering your options.
Job descriptions
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Teacher (special educational needs): job description
Special educational needs teachers work with children who need extra support to fulfil their potential.
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Lecturer (adult education): job description
Adult education lecturers teach academic and vocational subjects to adults of all ages and academic abilities.
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Psychologist (educational): job description
Educational psychologists work with, observe and assess the behavioural, social, emotional and educational problems and needs of children and young people below the age of 19 years.
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Teaching/classroom assistant: job description
Teaching/classroom assistants help and support qualified teachers in the classroom with pupils up to the age of 18.
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Lecturer (further education): job description
Further education lecturers teach academic and vocational subjects to young people and adults.
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Careers adviser: job description
Careers advisers provide guidance about career choice, employment, training and further education opportunities to clients, including young people and the unemployed.
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TEFL/TESL teacher: job description
TEFL is an umbrella term for teaching English to students of any age whose first language is not English. TESL refers to teaching students who will be using English instead of their native language after moving to an English-speaking country.
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Academic librarian: job description
Academic librarians are responsible for acquiring, organising, managing and distributing library resources, and ensuring that library provision meets the needs of all its users.
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Lecturer (higher education): job description
Higher education lecturers are employed by universities and higher education establishments to undertake teaching, research and administrative duties within a specialist subject area.
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Careers adviser (higher education): job description
Higher education careers advisers provide information and guidance about career choice, employment and educational opportunities to current university students, postgraduates and recent graduates.
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Careers consultant: job description
Careers consultants provide advice about training, employment options and career progression to professionals and career changers.
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Education administrator: job description
Education administrators help to ensure that institutions such as universities run smoothly by managing administrative, financial and support systems.
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Museum education officer: job description
Museum education officers forge links between visitors and museums and encourage learning through formal or informal education, marketing and publicity.
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Community education officer: job description
Community education officers are responsible for identifying educational needs in a particular area and developing appropriate recreational, educational and training programmes in response to these.
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Environmental education officer: job description
Environmental education officers are responsible for promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development via a variety of means, including education, marketing and publicity.
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Museum/gallery exhibition officer: job description
Museum/gallery exhibition officers are responsible for planning and organising permanent or travelling exhibitions, publicity events and promotional activities such as talks and workshops.
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Teacher (nursery/early years): job description
Nursery and early years teachers help to nurture and develop the knowledge, abilities, and social skills of children from birth to five years old, giving them the best possible start to their education.
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Higher education administrator: job description
Higher education administrators undertake a wide variety of supportive, administrative, secretarial, financial and human resources tasks in universities.
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Archaeologist: job description
Archaeologists study human history by examining artefacts, which range from prehistoric tools and buildings to animal bones and tiny organisms.
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Teacher (primary): job description
Primary school teachers provide initial compulsory education for children up to the age of 11, typically teaching a broad range of curriculum subjects.
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Higher education advice worker: job description
Higher education advice workers or student services advisers provide a free, confidential, non-judgemental, independent information, advice and advocacy service on a wide range of issues for current and prospective university students.
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Archivist: job description
Archivists are responsible for the provision, care and management of permanent collections of information that are intended to preserve the past and allow others to discover it.
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Teacher (secondary): job description
Secondary school teachers educate children between the ages of 11 and 18 and specialise in teaching a particular subject.
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Learning mentor: job description
Learning mentors provide support and guidance to children and young people who are experiencing difficulties in learning due to social, emotional or behavioural problems or other issues.
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Private music teacher: job description
Private music teachers provide music lessons within home, school or college settings, teaching pupils of all ages to sing or play musical instruments.
