Did you know that schools across England can’t find enough qualified teachers (no, you’re not hallucinating). Especially for subjects like Physics, modern foreign languages, and Computing, they’re actively looking overseas to fill the gap.

We’re not trying to jump-scare you here, but this shortage actually means a massive opportunity for international teachers like you. If you teach in one of these high-demand subjects, you’ll have access to better pay offers, relocation incentives, and faster career growth.

But don’t worry. You don’t have to research everything online to figure this out. We’ve combined the latest statistics and practical strategies to show you exactly how shortage subjects benefit your teaching career.

Let’s start by defining what shortage subjects are and why they’re important for you as a teacher.

What Are Shortage Subjects in UK Teacher Recruitment?

Shortage subjects are areas where schools just can’t find enough qualified teachers. Every year, the Department for Education sets recruitment targets for each subject, and when these targets are repeatedly missed, that subject officially becomes a “shortage occupation.”

These are the top shortage subjects in the UK right now:

• Physics and Sciences: Currently, Physics is facing the toughest shortage of all. In 2023, schools met only 17% below their recruitment target. Some schools have had to scale back or drop science courses entirely. And others hire non-specialist teachers just to keep lessons going.
• Maths: Maths faces a similar struggle. Vacancies for Maths teachers stay open for months, and schools often compete for the same small pool of qualified applicants.
• Modern Foreign Languages: Modern languages like French, Spanish, and German’s recruitment targets are just slightly better than the year before. Schools even end up cutting language classes or asking teachers to cover multiple languages outside their expertise.

It’s basically a supply-and-demand problem. So the government creates incentives to attract more candidates (both UK and international). Which means, the bigger the shortage, the better the incentives you’ll receive.

Secondary Schools Need International Teachers for Recruitment

The UK needs international teachers because the education system is in the middle of a recruitment crisis. And honestly, the numbers are getting worse. The government keeps lowering the targets for the next year to make the stats look less terrible. But it’s not fixing the main issue.

These are the main reasons why the UK needs international teachers:

• UK missed secondary recruitment targets: The Department for Education filled only half of the required secondary teacher roles. Only PE, history, and classics hit their goals. Every other subject fell short, and the short subjects collapsed entirely. 
• New teachers quitting: One in five new teachers quits within two years. It is leaving schools scrambling to fill positions faster than they can open them.
• Specific shortages reveal high demand: Among all the subjects, Business Studies was the lowest in recruitment percentage, followed by Design & Technology, and then Computing. Those low recruitment percentages are a straight-up opportunity for international teachers.
• Shortage subjects offer better opportunities: Schools across England are actively hiring overseas teachers to fill critical subject gaps. Recruitment agencies prioritise these areas because schools pay them extra to find qualified candidates fast. That means faster callbacks, quicker offers, and stronger negotiating power for you.

Fun fact: Did you know that Physics teacher applications from overseas increased by 253% after the UK introduced financial incentives? That’s because schools are actively competing to hire teachers for the shortage subjects.

What Financial Benefits Do Recruit Teachers Receive?

International teachers in shortage subjects can earn up to £38,000 in combined payments and bursaries during their first year. That’s on top of your regular salary. These incentives are designed to make the move worthwhile and help you settle in without financial strain.

Take a look at how the government sweetens the deal to compete internationally.

International Relocation Payment Worth £10,000

Teachers in Physics and Modern Foreign Languages receive around £10,000 relocation payment. Moving abroad isn’t cheap, and the UK government knows it. That’s why they offer a generous relocation payment to ease the transition.

With that payment, these are what you can cover:

• Visa fees
• Immigration health surcharge
• Housing deposits
• Moving costs

From the authority, you’ll get around £5,000 at the end of your first term, and another £5,000 at the start of your second year. And don’t worry, because it’s not a loan, and you’ll never have to repay it.

One teacher from South Africa told us that the payment “took all the pressure off,” and that without it, she would’ve needed six months to save for her move.

Training Bursaries up to £28,000 Available

If you’re training to teach Maths, Physics, Chemistry, or Computing, you could qualify for bursaries up to £28,000. These are available to non-UK trainees too, so international teachers get the same financial support as locals.

And yes, you can combine your relocation payment and bursary if you’re in a salaried training program. Some teachers even earn around £38,000 before their full salary even starts.

Regional Pay Variations Create Opportunities

Where you teach in the UK can make a big difference to your income. Some areas pay more to attract teachers in hard-to-fill roles. For example,

• Inside London: London schools add around £1,500 extra per year for shortage subjects. That boost is built into your salary, not a one-time bonus. 
• The South: The South of England has eight of the ten biggest teacher shortages, so schools there often offer extra incentives. 
• Outside London: Meanwhile, disadvantaged schools outside London compete by providing housing support, smaller class sizes, and better benefits. Many teachers actually save more overall because living costs are lower there.

So if you’re qualified in a shortage subject, the support you can get will make your move easier, no matter which part of the UK you choose to go to.

Professional Benefits for Early Career Teachers

Teachers in high-demand subjects receive retention bonuses and faster career advancement that other subjects don’t offer.

The financial perks are great (we just covered those). But the professional benefits are even better! Your day-to-day teaching life in England will stick with you throughout your entire career.

Qualified Teacher Status Is Easier to Obtain

International teachers can legally work in England for up to four years without QTS. But if you teach a shortage subject, you’ll get priority support to gain it sooner. Many complete the process within two years because schools guide them through it every step of the way.

Some schools even cover the QTS assessment fee or give you paid time off for training. We once talked to a modern languages teacher from Spain, and she said she didn’t spend a single pound on her QTS because her school funded everything.

Retention Payments Reward Staying Longer

Teachers in high-demand subjects earn £2,000 to £5,000 a year in retention payments. And those working in tougher areas can add another £1,500 to £3,000 through the Levelling Up Premium.

Research shows these incentives reduce turnover by 23% nationwide. Which means this system actually works. And the best part is that you receive these payments every year for your first few years, not just once. Some teachers in shortage subjects earn over £8,000 in bonuses within three years.

How Do Teaching Jobs Improve Quality of Life?

Apart from a salary boost, working on short subjects gives you negotiating power. Because the schools need you more than you need them. And that alone can change your entire teaching experience in the UK.

So keep reading this part for more details on how these jobs can improve the quality of your life.

Better Job Security in High-Demand Fields

Schools desperately need to maintain staffing in physics and languages right now. So, the shortage of subject teachers rarely struggles to find full-time employment anywhere in England. Long-term contracts and permanent positions become more accessible quickly for you.

Here’s what one Physics teacher told us. She moved from India and had three job offers within her first week of searching. All of them were permanent positions with relocation support. Finally, she picked the school with the best work-life balance because she could afford to be choosy.

More Negotiating Power for Benefits

Shortage subject teachers can negotiate benefits that others can’t. Housing support, travel allowances, and professional development become negotiable options now.

We know one MFL teacher who even secured a full-time classroom assistant in every class. And the school agreed immediately to her request because replacing her would have cost them far more.

You can also ask for smaller class sizes, fewer contact hours, or extra planning time. Because when schools know you’re hard to replace, they’re quick to say yes to your negotiations.

Career Progression Happens Faster

Leadership roles open up sooner for teachers in shortage subjects than for others. Schools want to keep skilled teachers, so they promote faster and offer development opportunities early on.

We’ve even seen cases where a Computing teacher became Head of Department in her third year, while her colleague teaching English waited seven years.

In short, shortage subjects make your CV look better, and along with that, they make your day-to-day life smoother, more stable, and a lot more rewarding.

Your Next Steps as a Shortage Subject Teacher

From what we can tell, the UK teaching shortage isn’t going away anytime soon. It’s a headache for the UK government, but for you, that means job security that most professions can only dream about.

Schools invest more in the teachers they desperately need. That means better training, more support, and clearer paths to leadership roles for you. It’s actually simple math for them. Because keeping you happy costs less than recruiting your replacement.

So start by checking the current International Relocation Payment eligibility on the Get Into Teaching website. Then, research schools in your subject area. Finally, contact teacher recruitment agencies that specialise in shortage subjects.

So start now, because your qualification in a shortage subject can be your chance at a more secure teaching career in the UK.