Teaching and education

Working in education can be very rewarding, and great teachers can make a big impact in the lives of those they teach. Teaching can cover a broad spectrum of areas, including:

  • early years education (nurseries and pre-school) 
  • primary education (ages 5 to 12) 
  • secondary education (ages 11 to 16) 
  • further education (sixth form and community colleges, ages 16 to 18) 
  • higher education (colleges and universities) 
  • adult and community education.  

Key skills that are useful in this sector include:

  • patience, particularly when dealing with challenging students
  • organisation, especially given times of high workload
  • conflict resolution
  • specialist subject knowledge
  • communication and motivational skills.

Though teaching is the most common occupation in this sector, there are also alternative roles available: see TARGETjobs’ alternative careers in education page.

For job profiles and detailed information on getting a career in the education sector, see the Prospects website:  

Teaching and education profile

Contents

How to get a job

To prepare for a career in teaching and education, you should research the sector carefully. You should also talk with people who are in the sector already and gain relevant work experience.

Make a connection

To connect with people already working in the sector, consider joining Saint Connect, the University of St Andrews’ exclusive, global, online community for networking and career mentoring.

See more ideas for making a connection.

Work experience and volunteering

If you're thinking of a teaching career, it is essential to get work experience with the age of students you want to work with. Examples of gaining experience could include:

  • observing teaching in schools
  • sports coaching
  • student tutoring
  • working with after-school clubs.

The University of St Andrews runs a variety of projects and modules which provide good experience:

  • Communication and Teaching in Arts & Humanities (ID4002) or Communication and Teaching in Science (ID4001) - final-year students can gain first-hand experience of education through a mentoring scheme with teachers in local schools.
  • CareerConnect occasionally has paid vacancies in independent schools.
  • The Student Ambassador Scheme is a programme which offers students the opportunity to develop their employability skills and gain work experience within education. 

There are many other opportunities available in the St Andrews area and beyond. Schools are used to requests for observation experience, so you could always contact a local school directly to enquire. If you are interested in gaining observation experience in England, use the Government’s get school experience page to search for opportunities.

Find internships (Careers Centre)

Attend events

The Careers Centre often puts on events where you can talk to employers visiting St Andrews. Visit the events page for more information.

Routes into teaching 

To become a qualified teacher in the UK, you will need to undertake Initial Teacher Training (ITT) or Initial Teacher Education (ITE).  

There are a number of pathways into teaching in the UK. See the UCAS teacher training page for information specific to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Teach First and The Brilliant Club are also both common routes into teaching for St Andrews students. 

If you are an international student wishing to train to teach in the UK, you will need to apply to the relevant body (such as the Department for Education and General Teaching Councils for Scotland) before you can take a teaching post. Find out more about staying in the UK to work. 

For those interested in teaching in higher education, see AdvanceHE for further information.

Applying for teacher training (Prospects)

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL)

TEFL is a route into teaching that allows you to teach English to people who want to learn English for work or leisure reasons.

This work usually involves living abroad for extended periods of time. In addition, you may need a formal TEFL qualification, such as the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) awarded by the University of Cambridge.

For further information on TEFL, as well as related teaching opportunities, see the English as a foreign language teacher job profile (Prospects).

The University of St Andrews also offers a range of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) courses.

Finding a job

Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) or those nearing the end of their teacher training course will need to start applying for their first teaching job. To identify teaching jobs appropriate to you, consider your preferences: 

  • location 
  • type and size of school 
  • year group or key stage 
  • teaching methods 
  • the performance or reputation of the school. 

TARGETjobs has advice on getting your first job in teaching. 

In addition, you can find relevant vacancies in the following places: