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Advice for international candidates

If you’re an international applicant, here is everything you need to know about joining our teacher training programme.

What you need to apply

To join our programme, you'll need to meet the following requirements: 

IELTS score 

An IELTS score of 7.5 or higher is needed to show you're proficient in English. 

Right to live and work in the UK 

We welcome applications from international candidates. However, sponsorship places are limited and are currently available in the following subjects:
Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Modern Foreign Languages (MFL).

We’ve received a high volume of strong applications in these areas, so sponsorship is highly competitive. We prioritise candidates who:

  • Have recent, practical experience in UK schools, and

  • Have clearly reflected on this experience in their personal statement

For all other subjects, you must already hold the right to live and work in the UK.

You're welcome to apply if you're currently living in the UK and have the right to work – including as an international student.

Some routes, like the apprenticeship, have set eligibility criteria that we are unable to change.

You may already have the right to work in the UK. Check if you need a visa. 

Qualifications

  • A degree qualification at 2:2 or above in a subject relevant to what you’d like to teach

  • GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or higher in maths and English (and science for primary education) 

Equivalency

If your qualifications were gained outside the UK, you'll need a UK ENIC certificate to confirm their equivalence. Reach out to the Get Into Teaching helpline on 0800 389 2500 for help with this. 

Equivalency tests will be accepted for candidates who may not have attained these grades at the secondary level or for those whose UK ENIC shows a lack of equivalency. We recommend using A Star Equivalency, Birmingham City University, or Equivalency Testing.

Enquire for 2026

The interview process

Interviews take place with two members of the United Teaching team, either online or in person. This includes a formal interview, a mock lesson presented to the panel, and a written task.

If you are successful at the interview, your offer will be conditional on the following:  

  • Successfully obtaining your projected degree qualification (if you are still at university) 
  • Verifying your academic qualifications, or showing a UK ENIC that shows your qualifications compare to UK qualifications
  • Passing clear identity and DBS checks  

Got a question?

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