Education Jobs in England

Besides sipping tea and keeping in their emotions (lest a football game be on), England is most famous for its rolling green hills and one of the most iconic cities in the world: London. There are world-class universities throughout the country and dozens of trade schools, so deciding the type of work you want will be crucial in helping you determine which place is right for you.

London. This capital city is diverse and offers ample opportunity to teach in your native language, if different than English, or in English to non-English speakers. One-on-one tutoring is often very rewarding for both parties as education jobs for foreigners in England, and cities are the best places to get freelance work like this. If you need the work visa that citizenship outside the EU requires, there are well-paying primary and secondary schools in London that offer employment to those with specialized degrees and experience. Living is pricey, but worth every penny for the breadth of history and culture you can’t find anywhere else.

Like London, the northern city of Manchester is both culturally and linguistically diverse. Each of the many districts has their own flair and feels rather like a small town, which makes it manageable for newcomers to get settled and make local connections. 

Often overshadowed by its neighbors in the south, Northeast England is one of the more scenically beautiful places to live within England. The North York Moors and the wilds of Northumberland offer a peaceful and stunning alternative to the bustle of England’s busier cities, and even though the region has suffered some decline since its days as a mining and industrial powerhouse, it’s still proud, confident, and looking towards the future. The cost of living is low and the quality of life is high.

For those who decide to work abroad in England in education, it probably seems like one of the easier places to assimilate to (given the language and the familiarity with its culture that many of us have). Unfortunately, Mary Poppins will not be floating from the sky with her bag of solutions, however, and Hugh Grant won’t be waiting around the corner to make everything better… and so some planning must be done beforehand.

Cost of living + salary. Your job will be paying you, but there are significant costs in setting up shop before your first paycheck arrives You’ll need some savings to get started, and you’ll want to have double checked the balance of your salary with the cost of living. London schools tend to pay more than the £23,000 to £34,000 that is typical of the rest of the country, but this is balanced out by a significantly higher cost of living. Other cities, and especially rural areas, will have notably lower costs. To help get yourself across the pond, set up a FundMyTravel account to tell your story and raise money.

Accommodations will likely be independent apartments in the city. Your program might already have this set up for you, may merely provide information, or leave you to fend for yourself. If the company is involved it’s likely they’ll pair you with a fellow teacher, which makes for a nice support system throughout your stay. 

Visa. Anyone in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland does not require a work visa to live in the UK. If you hail from outside those regions, you’ll need a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer stating you are qualified for the job and have employment. With the certificate you can then apply for a Tier 2 general visa for skilled workers. The whole process can take up to three months, so start planning early and prepare to wait. Check GoAbroad’s Embassy Directory for updated and country-specific information.

Safety. English cities are typical of other large cities throughout the world; keep your eyes open, your bag close, and don’t actively get involved with anything that seems out of the ordinary. There is an active pub culture that brings with it the regular dangers of late-night debauchery, but with your wits about you, you should be able to not only be safe, but partake in all that England has to offer.

Being an educator in England means you get the chance to be a part of someone’s upbringing. You get to share your culture with people who would otherwise never experience it, and inspire people to see the world as a bigger place. There are tons of options on both what and who you can teach; be careful though- like with teaching anywhere, you might just end up learning more than you teach.

Changeable: a charming British word for the complexities of life, and for the pesky little habit of the weather. There’s no telling what the day will bring, so it’s important to be prepared with layers and your newest friend, the umbrella. It wouldn’t be England without the rain, so even on a summer day you would be in your right mind to expect a surprise shower mid-afternoon. Spring and fall are rainy and cool, but the sun likes to make an appearance when you least expect it and will roast you if you’re actually dressed for cool temps. Learn to expect anything, and you won’t be caught out in the cold (literally and otherwise). 

Getting an education job in England is a stepping stone to the rest of your life. You’ll gain valuable work experience and most importantly, priceless life experience. With their dry and self-deprecating wit, the Brits will charm their way into your heart- politely, of course- and never leave. If education is your calling, look for a teaching job in England today!

Pour yourself a spot of tea then browse ALL jobs abroad in England.