You can secure UK teaching jobs by finding schools that sponsor overseas teachers and applying for a skilled worker visa. Right now, schools across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are actively hiring international applicants because they need qualified teachers.

The teacher shortage has created thousands of vacancies in primary schools, secondary schools, and specialist subjects.

The process is simple. You find teaching jobs that offer visa sponsorship. The school hires you and helps you get your visa. This visa replaced the old Tier 2 system, but it works the same way.

In this article, we’ll show you where to search for jobs, what documents to prepare, and how the visa process works.

Keep reading to learn what makes you eligible.

What Makes You Eligible for UK Teaching Roles

Most UK schools want a bachelor’s degree and a teaching qualification like a PGCE, BEd, or something similar from your country. You’ll also need to prove your English skills through IELTS or by showing that you studied in an English-speaking environment.

The subjects schools need most:

• Maths and science: Schools across the UK can’t fill these positions fast enough, especially in secondary education. Our observation tells us physics, chemistry, and advanced maths teachers often receive higher salaries and better benefits because the shortage is so severe in these areas.
• Modern languages: Truth be told, there’s strong demand for French, Spanish, and Mandarin teachers right now. Besides, UK children study foreign languages as part of their curriculum. However, qualified teachers are hard to find, which puts you in a great position if you speak these languages fluently.
• Special education: Children with learning differences or disabilities need specialised classroom support. Let’s be honest, teachers trained in SEN (Special Educational Needs) are highly valued because these roles require patience, specific training, and a different teaching approach than mainstream education.
• Primary teaching: You’ll work with younger children and teach multiple subjects like literacy, numeracy, and science. The challenge is that primary teachers need broad knowledge across many areas. This is why finding qualified applicants becomes difficult for schools throughout England and Wales.

Check that your qualifications align with what schools expect. The next step is understanding the visa that gets you there.

The Visa That Gets You There

The skilled worker visa lets you work legally in the UK as an overseas teacher. Here’s how it works. Your employer sponsors you, which means they handle most of the paperwork and confirm you have a real job offer. Note that the visa replaced the Tier 2 system in 2021, but the process works the same way.

Another fact is that teaching falls under the UK’s shortage occupation list. As a result, you’ll pay lower application fees because of this designation. The visa typically gets approved within three to eight weeks once you submit everything correctly.

You can stay in the UK for up to five years on this visa. But for that teachers usually need to earn around £30,000 per year to meet the salary threshold. No worries, schools in London often pay more to match the higher cost of living there.

Your visa also lets you bring family members with you. Spouses and children under 18 can join you in the UK. But. you’ll need to show you can support them financially.

Now that you understand the visa requirements, let’s look at where to find schools that will sponsor you.

Finding Schools That Will Sponsor You

Finding UK schools that sponsor overseas teachers might seem difficult at first. Schools across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland actively recruit international applicants because they can’t fill positions locally. Which means you just need to know where to search and how to spot real opportunities.

The most effective ways to find eligible jobs with sponsorship:

Recruitment Agencies Handle the Details

Agencies exist specifically to connect overseas teachers with UK schools and match your qualifications with vacant positions across the country. They arrange interviews, handle visa sponsorship details, and guide you through documentation requirements.

Also, schools pay the agency fees, so you don’t spend money up front to access these opportunities.

School and Council Websites List Open Positions

Many schools post vacancies on their own websites with clear sponsorship information included.

For instance, job descriptions will say “visa sponsorship available” or “open to international candidates” if the school can hire overseas teachers. County council websites also list teaching positions across multiple schools in their region, which saves you time searching individual school sites one by one.

Real Job Offers Include Specific Details

Genuine employers provide clear information about the role, expected salary, location, and when you’d start teaching.

Be cautious of vague listings or any employer asking for money before hiring you. You can verify a school’s sponsor licence on the official UK government website to confirm they’re approved to employ international teachers.

Once you find the right opportunity, you’ll need to prepare your application documents properly.

Documents and Paperwork for Your Application

Getting your documents ready takes some planning, but it’s manageable if you know what schools expect. UK employers want to see proof of your qualifications, experience, and right to work.

What you’ll need to prepare:

1. Your CV formatted for UK schools: Schools expect CVs to follow a specific format with your most recent employment listed first. We suggest you keep it to two pages maximum and leave out personal details like age, photos, or marital status.
2. A strong cover letter: Explain why you want to teach at that specific school and what makes you suited for the role. Bear in mind that schools receive hundreds of applications from overseas teachers. So, a personalised letter that mentions the school’s values or programmes helps you stand out from other applicants.
3. References from previous employers: Contact your current or former headteacher before you apply, so they know a reference request is coming. In fact, most schools ask for two professional references who can discuss your classroom teaching, student management skills, and how well you collaborate with other staff members.
4. Certificate of Sponsorship: The school issues this document once they decide to hire you, and it includes a reference number you’ll use for your visa application. Your employer handles the CoS application process, which proves to the visa office that you have a genuine job offer waiting in the UK.
5. Proof of qualifications: UK ENIC verifies your international teaching degree to ensure it meets UK education standards. Both schools and visa officers need this verification before they can proceed, so start the process early since it typically takes three to four weeks to complete.
6. Criminal record checks: You’ll need a DBS check or an overseas equivalent from your home country that shows you’re cleared to work with children in educational settings. If you’ve lived in multiple countries, you may need background checks from each location where you’ve worked or resided for extended periods.
7. Financial evidence: Bank statements must show at least £1,270 in your account for 28 consecutive days before you submit your visa application. The government requires this proof to ensure you can support yourself financially when you first arrive. Especially before your first salary payment comes through from the school.

Start gathering these documents early because some take weeks to process. Once everything is ready, your application moves much faster.

Your Journey Starts With the Right Support

Securing a teaching job in the UK as an overseas candidate takes effort, but the opportunity is real. Schools across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland need qualified teachers like you. The process involves finding the right position, preparing your documents, and working through the visa requirements.

You don’t have to figure everything out alone.

The Course Book helps overseas teachers secure UK teaching jobs and handles the visa sponsorship process from start to finish. We match your qualifications with schools that need teachers in your subject area. Our team guides you through paperwork, interviews, and arrival preparations.

If you’re ready to start your career in the UK, contact us today. We’ll help you find the right position and get you there.