UK Teacher Recruitment 2023. What to Know

In the 2023/24 UK Teacher Recruitment exercise, the United Kingdom's Department for Education is prioritizing citizens from designated nationalities for teaching positions in specific subjects. This program aims to promote a more equitable process for granting qualified teacher status (QTS) to teachers in the country.

Qualified teacher status (QTS) is a legal requirement for teaching in many English schools and is highly desirable in most schools across England. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) is responsible for awarding QTS, including to qualified teachers outside England.

The 2023/24 UK teacher recruitment will prioritize applicants from selected countries who specialize in languages, mathematics, and science, and hold teaching qualifications to teach students aged 11 to 16. These applicants can check their eligibility for QTS and apply for the program.

The UK government's education agency states that awarding overseas teacher QTS will depend on an individual's experience and qualifications meeting specific requirements.

Starting from February 1st, 2023, the criteria for non-UK teachers to obtain QTS include:

• Possession of an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree, verified by UK ENIC.
• Completion of teacher training meeting Level 6 standards, comparable to an English initial teacher training course, such as a Bachelor of Education or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
• Training content that is practically and pedagogically focused.
• Qualified to teach children aged 5 to 16 years.
• At least one full school year (minimum of 9 months, including holidays) of professional teaching experience after qualification.
• Professional status to teach in the country where qualified, without restrictions or conditions.
• English language proficiency meeting standards such as CEFR B2 level, IELTS SELT 5.5, or equivalent tests.

• A Level 6 qualification qualifying the candidate to teach children aged 11-16 in mathematics, languages, or science.
• A bachelor's degree comprising at least 50% in mathematics, science, or a language (excluding English) taught in English state schools, such as French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Mathematics, or Science.

There are four routes to obtaining QTS for teachers outside the UK:

• Apply via the new online service
• Apply for assessment-only QTS
• Apply for teacher training in England
• Apply to train for international qualified teacher status (iQTS)

Your eligibility for each route depends on:

• Where you qualified
• Your subject specialization
• Your teaching experience
• Your personal circumstances

Applicants with specialization in languages, mathematics, or science, and a teaching qualification for ages 11-16 from Ghana, India, Jamaica, or South Africa, can use this service to check eligibility and apply for QTS in England. When applying, you do not need to pay a fee, undergo further training, or visit the UK. This route will eventually be open to qualified teachers from all countries outside the UK.