Teaching and education

Resources to help you explore career options, find jobs and employers, and access specialist advice and support.

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Educational psychology

How do I get into it?

Educational Psychologists help children or young people who are experiencing problems within an educational setting; these may include learning difficulties and social or emotional problems.

They work with the individual child with the aim of enhancing their learning, and also advise teachers, parents and other professionals who are involved. Educational Psychologists provide in-service training for teachers and other professionals on issues such as: behaviour management, stress management, assessment.

(Source: Prospects).

  • AEP – Careers in Educational Psychology
    Information about the role of an Educational Psychologist, routes into the profession from outside and within the education sector, and more.
  • Prospects
    Job profile - Educational Psychologist
    A detailed outline of the role, information on entry requirements, pay and conditions and career development opportunities. Also links to sources of vacancies and alternative careers.

Jobs and employers

Most educational psychologists are employed by local authorities. In Scotland you may also be employed by educational psychology services. In Northern Ireland employers are the regional Education Authorities.

Opportunities may also be found in regional social services' assessment centres, hospital-based paediatric assessment and child psychiatric units.

(Source: Prospects).

Further information

  • Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP)
    Represents the professional and employment interests of qualified educational psychologists working in local government. Affiliate membership available to postgraduate EA students.
  • Family Action
    Works with schools and education services to promote children's health and wellbeing. Volunteering opportunities available.
  • National Children’s Bureau (NCB)
    Promotes the interests and well being of all children and young people.
  • Portage
    A home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families.

Lecturing and research in further and higher education

How do I get into it?

See our pages on postgraduate study

Jobs and employers

UK opportunities

  • Jobs.ac.uk
    The site for opportunities in the Higher Education sector.
    Find a PhD
    Jobs.ac.uk has a dedicated portal for anyone seeking doctoral opportunities in the UK.
  • THE Uni Jobs
    Vacancies from the Times Higher Education Supplement.

International opportunities

  • Academic Jobs EU
    Full-time, part-time or contract positions in European academic institutions.

Specialist sites

  • Akadeus
    Vacancies in Business Schools globally.
  • Computeroxy
    Vacancies in schools of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Computer Science.
  • Physicaloxy
    Vacancies in schools of Physical and Earth Sciences.
  • Psychoneuroxy
    Vacancies in schools of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Further information

  • Association of Commonwealth Universities
    A network of established universities and those in developing countries. Includes a range of networking opportunities via member communities.
  • Association of Teachers and Lecturers
    Trade union for education professionals across the UK.
  • University and College Union (UCU)
    Trade union and professional association for teach professionals in UK higher education.
  • Higher Education Academy
    Supports HE teaching practice and offers professional development opportunities.
  • Research Councils UK (RCUK)
    Strategic body for the UK's seven research councils. Offers access to funding, international collaborative opportunities and sector news.

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL)

How do I get into it?

  • Any degree subject is acceptable, although some employers prefer a language, linguistics or English degree.
  • In the more in-demand markets teaching experience will also be required.
  • It is advisable (and often necessary) to gain an approved TEFL qualification, preferably including teaching experience with students. 

Prospects
English as a foreign language teacher
A detailed role profile including information on routes into the career, labour market information and sources of vacancies.

Jobs and employers

  • There are many language schools along the south coast - Yell.com lists 92 currently operating across East Sussex.
  • Some recruit all year round but the majority require people to work with students attending language schools during the summer.
  • These schools do not necessarily require TEFL trained staff or even education students and it is possible for graduates and undergraduates to be employed as assistant teachers and/or visit organisers.
  • International opportunities exist in China (a rapidly expanding market for TEFL jobs), Japan and other East Asian countries. You will also find vacancies in the Middle East, parts of Eastern Europe and Spain, Italy and Germany.
  • Cactus TEFL
    Compare details of 100s of courses across 36 countries.
  • EF English First
    Teach English in China with EF English First.
  • EFLSensei
    Opportunities across Asia.
  • EnglishUK
    Includes a database of British Council-accredited schools in the UK.
  • ESL Authority
    Vacancies in Spain, the Far East and South East Asia.
  • The Guardian - TEFL
    Tefl news, resources and jobs.
  • i-to-i
    English government-regulated training, international placements for first time TEFL teachers and a comprehensive jobs database.
  • IATEFL
    The International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. Includes a job shop.

Further information

  • EFLSensei
    Free lesson materials to use in teaching English.
  • ESL Authority
    Includes free lesson plans and worksheets to download.
  • i-to-i blog
    Articles on all aspects of TEFL - from finding a job to travel to delivering lessons - as well as first hand accounts from current teachers.
  • TEFL.net
    An independent peer-to-peer resource site for Tefl teachers - includes worksheets, articles, tips, forums, job adverts and lesson plans.
  • TEFL Professional Network
    Provides English Language Teaching professionals with online career resources.

Teaching in schools and colleges

How do I get into it?

There are a variety of entry routes and training options available.

Work experience

Jobs and employers

  • Class Cover 
    Primary, secondary, SEN and tutor vacancies in West Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.
  • eTeach
    Jobs in state sector and independent schools across the UK and overseas.
  • Gov.UK
    Jobs teaching in primary and secondary schools can be found on Local Authority websites, searchable via this link.
  • Hays Education
    Early years, primary, secondary, SEN and further education opportunities.
  • Protocol-Education 
    Permanent and supply teaching positions in the UK and overseas.
  • Teach Away
    Opportunities at schools worldwide.
  • Teaching Personnel
    Vacancies at all levels between nursery and further education.

News media

Further information

Graduate stories

Vicki
BA(Hons) Education (2012)

I graduated from the BA(Hons) in July 2012. My experiences on this course have had a truly extraordinary impact on my life, both during my undergraduate studies, and following completion of the degree.

For me, the BA(Hons) Education is more than a three year undergraduate course. It offers lifelong and reflective learning experiences that support and encourage growth both personally and professionally. This course has not only broadened my knowledge, but has also developed my ability to think both critically and creatively. This exciting and challenging course offers a truly transformational learning experience, and I could not recommend it more to anybody hoping to broaden their knowledge and understanding into the world of education.

Since completing the course, I studied on the Graduate Teacher Programme at the University of Brighton. The BA(Hons) Education provided the remarkable platform of knowledge, understanding and transferable skills, I needed to be really successful on the GTP. I have since secured a full-time teaching post at my GTP school.

Olivia
BA(Hons) Education (2009)

Since graduating I worked for a year at a primary school as an individual needs assistant, supporting a child with complex behavioural needs. I supported him during the difficult transition into foster care and delivered home tuition sessions when he could no longer cope at school.

Since then I have been working for over a year at ACE (The Alternative Centre for Education), as a Teaching Assistant and Learning Mentor. The role I have is incredibly varied (mentoring sessions, home tuition sessions, attendance home visits, as well as classroom support).

I completed my long placement experience with this organisation during the second year of my degree. The impact this had on professional development was huge. I learnt an incredible amount from being involved in an organisation. I was able to develop my own professional practice, my ability to reflect and develop my knowledge of how an organisation such as ACE is run. It was invaluable to me.

Teaching outside mainstream schools and colleges

How do I get into it?

There are many opportunities to employ the skills and experience gained through teacher training outside mainstream education.

Openings exist to work with school-age pupils outside of a traditional classroom setting, with adults in the community, or to deliver specialist education.

  • Education Alternatives (pdf)
    AGCAS guide to education-related careers (teaching and non-teaching) other than teaching in mainstream schools.
  • Prospects
    A graduate careers site with the following information:
    Job sectors - Teacher training and education
    Includes links to a wide range of detailed job profiles across the sector.
    What can I do with my degree - Education
    Examines a broad range of careers relating directly and indirectly to education degrees.
  • Target Jobs
    A graduate careers site with the following information:
    Alternative education careers - training and qualifications
    A summary of career alternatives and suggested further training.
  • The Tutor Pages
    Includes a free pdf e-book on becoming a private tutor in the UK.

Jobs and employers

Further information

  • HSE - Human Scale Education
    Promotes small, human scale learning communities in the state and independent sectors.
  • National Association of Hospital and Home Teaching (NAHHT)
    A professional association for teachers and staff in the UK who work with children and young people whose medical needs prevent them from attending school.
  • National Association of Teachers of Travellers and Other Professionals (NATT+)
    Provides a platform for teachers and other professionals involved in the education of Gypsy, Roma and Travellers, to share good practice and resources.
  • PRUsAP.org.uk
    Information and support for staff in Pupil Referral Units in England and Wales (PRUs), including AP Academies and Free Schools.