Schools in England have long struggled to recruit secondary teachers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing and modern languages. Teaching is a graduate-level occupation, and many schools and academy trusts sponsor overseas teachers on the Skilled Worker visa.
Pay
Teachers in England are paid on national scales. Starting salaries for qualified teachers are about £32,900 outside London (2025/26 scale), and higher in London. Pay rises with experience and responsibilities. For education roles, Skilled Worker salary rules take the national pay scales into account, but check the current guidance.
Read also: How to Check if a UK Employer Can Sponsor You (and Avoid CoS Scams)
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
To teach in state schools in England long term, you need QTS. Teachers trained abroad can apply through the government’s “Apply for qualified teacher status” service if they:
- hold a teaching qualification recognised in the country where they trained,
- have a degree,
- are qualified to teach children aged somewhere between 5 and 16,
- have English proficiency.
How to get hired
- Apply for QTS first. It makes you far more attractive.
- Search Teaching Vacancies (the official GOV.UK job site) and filter for jobs that offer visa sponsorship.
- Prepare for video interviews and a lesson observation, sometimes taught online.
- The school must be a licensed sponsor and will run an enhanced criminal record check.
2026 rules in brief: since 22 July 2025, most Skilled Worker jobs must be at graduate level (RQF 6) and pay at least £41,700 a year or the occupation’s “going rate”, whichever is higher. Some roles have lower rates, such as new entrants, Health and Care roles, and jobs on the Temporary Shortage List, which runs until at least the end of 2026. Always check the current figures on GOV.UK before you apply.
Tip
Check whether the Department for Education is currently offering relocation support for international teachers in shortage subjects. Schemes like this have run in recent years, so look for the current version on GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
Can I teach in the UK without QTS?
Some academies and independent schools hire unqualified teachers, but QTS is strongly preferred and needed long-term in maintained schools.
Do primary teachers get sponsored?
Less often. Most international recruitment is for secondary shortage subjects.
Is there an English test for teachers?
For the visa you must meet the English requirement, and many teaching qualifications earned in English count.
Information checked in October 2026. Immigration rules change often, so always confirm the latest requirements on the official government website before applying or paying any fees.
