Overseas Trained Teachers

An Overseas Trained Teacher can legally teach for up to four years without UK Qualified Teacher Status, but must be awarded UK Qualified Teacher Status during that time.

The award can be gained through an employment based programme, such as the Overseas trained teachers Programme (OTTP), or through University training such as Flexible/Modular PGCE. Greenwich offers dedicated support for OTTs teaching in our schools while undertaking the OTTP.

There are regulations concerning who is allowed to teach in England. These regulations vary depending on the country where the overseas trained teacher (OTT) gained their original qualification.

If you qualified to teach INSIDE the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

Teachers who qualified to teach inside the European Economic Areas or Switzerland can access teaching positions in the same way as home trained teachers. You should first contact the General Teaching Council for England (GTC).

If you qualified as a teacher OUTSIDE the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

If you gained your teaching qualification in a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA), you must have your qualification assessed before seeking to obtain a teaching post.

You will need to contact the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC), which can provide comparability information for your qualifications.

You may be eligible to work in England as an unqualified teacher for up to four years, during which time you will need to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Information on changes to work permits

You can get more information on the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) website. This includes eligibility to teach in the UK, important changes to work permits and visas, the Refugees into Teaching initiative and much more.

Applying for job vacancies

Once you have gained authority to teach in the UK, you can apply for teaching posts.

Work permits

The UK Border Agency website provides advice on work permits. You can also contact the UK Border Agency on 0114 259 4074.