Overseas Graduates
To be able to teach in the UK as an overseas graduate, you need to gain a formal teaching qualification that gives Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in this country. To enter initial teacher training (in order to gain QTS) in this country i.e. either the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP), you will need to have the equivalents of the following UK qualifications:-
- First degree (at honours level), preferably relating to a national curriculum area for Primary school teaching and mandatory for Secondary school teaching e.g. Maths, English, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography, History, Religious Education, Science, IT, Business Studies, Design and Technology subjects.
- General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in Maths and English (and Science for Primary teaching, if you were born on or after 1st September 1979), at grade C level or above. A number of Designated Recommending Body's (DRBs) offer equivalence tests in GCSE Maths and English. These are one-off chargeable tests. If failed, you would be required to undertake a GCSE course.
If you are interested in undertaking initial teacher training via either the PGCE or GWT, then you first need to get your qualifications checked for UK equivalence by contacting the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC).
(Original qualification certificates to demonstrate you have GCSE Maths and English (and Science, if applicable) and your degree certificate, will need to be produced. Where required, examination boards and universities will issue duplicate copies.)
In addition:-
- You must decide whether you wish to teach in Primary or Secondary schools.
- For Secondary teaching, you will need to be teaching in the subject of your degree.
For both Primary and Secondary teaching, you will need to demonstrate your experience in working with children (whether on a paid or voluntary basis) and knowledge of schools. You must have evidence of a minimum of ten days work experience in UK schools. This is essential because, as well as giving insight into Primary / Secondary teaching, it helps you decide whether or not to embark on initial teacher training.
You will need to approach schools directly yourself to arrange for this type of work. Further information regarding contact details is available by using this link Coventry Schools.
For further information to help you decide on whether the PGCE or GTP is the appropriate route into teaching for you, the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) recruitment web site www.tda.gov.uk provides full information on becoming a teacher, training to teach, applying for training and training providers.
The Training and Development Agency's information line is also available for you to discuss any aspect or questions about becoming a teacher. They can be contacted on 0845 6000 991.
Details of additional Government web sites and help lines, which may be of interest, is available by visiting our Useful Contacts section.
Coventry's teacher recruitment team is here to help and can be contacted by phoning our teacher recruitment help line on 024 7683 2121, or by email on jobs@coventry.gov.uk or by writing to the following address:.
Teachers Recruitment
HR Recruitment Service
Room 107
1st Floor Civic Centre 2
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR
