Virtual Events Archive

Universities across Scotland are aware that gaining experience within schools is challenging at the moment. Establishing a connection between your local school and making them aware that you are interested in gaining experience is the first step.

Also have a think about local groups such as Guides, Scouts, sports clubs or any online groups. You can also use this time to reflect on transferable skills from any interests, hobbies and experience you have that may be relevant to teaching.

Please remember, to work with children, you must be PVG cleared.

If you’re willing to complete your probation anywhere in Scotland, you could receive a preference waiver payment of up to £8,000. Alternatively, you can choose five locations, and list these in order of preference.

Scotland is an amazing place to develop your teaching career. The good news is that there are opportunities for teachers within the Scottish education system.

If your teaching qualification is from outside Scotland, you may still be able to register to teach in Scotland. However, it’s important to make sure that you have the right qualifications and the correct visa.

For more information, take a look at options for teachers qualified outside of Scotland.

You can keep on learning as a teacher, and you’ll have opportunities to add to your professional skills and expertise.

You’ll find there are clear pathways for promotion open to you, allowing you to progress with your career, and also increase your salary. Teaching can provide opportunities to enhance your roles and responsibilities, pursue leadership opportunities, and gain a real sense of achievement. To find out more on pathways for progression, click here.

Since August 2020, it has become a mandatory requirement for all new headteachers to have completed the fully funded ‘Into Headship’ qualification. This qualification has been specifically designed to help experienced teachers meet the requirements for the Standard for Headship. It provides you with the training you need to develop your leadership skills, and prepare you for the strategic challenges of the headteacher role. For more information on becoming a headteacher, click here.

There is also lots to learn from other teachers’ experiences, take a look at our case studies to hear directly from them.

There is no age limit. Find out more from our career changers here.

Information on funding and fees can be found here.

It is also worth checking with the universities you are applying to as they may offer their own financial support options.

There are a number of new teacher education programmes, designed to offer flexibility, and encourage diversity in the profession.

These include:

• Distance Learning Initial Teacher Education DLITE (PGDE) – University of Aberdeen (Primary and Secondary)
• Learn to Teach Primary programme – for staff employed in all local authorities in Scotland
• MSc Transformative Learning and Teaching programme – University of Edinburgh
• Returning to teaching course – University of Edinburgh
• MEd Enhanced Practice with Specialism – Middle Years Maths Teachers – University of Glasgow (Dumfries campus)
• Combined PGDE with integrated Masters Year in Secondary STEM subjects – University of Strathclyde

Most of the programmes are linked to local authorities and involve teaching in schools within these local authorities during the course.

Depending on your subject and the university, you can do a PGDE and qualify in more than one subject. Check out our Career changers event recording, where one of our teachers, Liz, touches on her own experience.

Information on funding and fees can be found here.

It is also worth checking with the universities you are applying to as they may offer their own financial support options.

This is very dependent on the subject that you studied in versus the subject you would like to teach. It is recommended that you get in touch with the individual university you would like to attend and seek their advice.

Not at all, as each university receives a lot of applications for their courses, it takes them time to review and send out interview requests, usually by email. It is recommended that you keep a close eye on your emails and your UCAS profile to check for any updates made to your application.

This is very dependent on your subject and the university. Some universities offer ‘dual qualification’ PGDE courses. It is recommended that you contact the university you wish to apply for and seek their advice.

You are guaranteed a one-year probationary teaching post with a Scottish local authority school. The probationary year in Scotland is known as the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS).

No. You can select up to five local authority areas in order of preference. You can find out more at The General Teaching Council for Scotland website.

Universities across Scotland are aware that gaining experience within schools is challenging at the moment. Establishing a connection between your local school and making them aware that you are interested in gaining experience is the first step.

Also have a think about local groups such as Guides, Scouts, sports clubs or any online groups. You can also use this time to reflect on transferable skills from any interests, hobbies and  experience you have that may be relevant to teaching.

Please remember, to work with children, you must be PVG cleared.

Yes, absolutely! Find out more from our career changers here.

Think about why you want to be a teacher, what skills and experience do you have that are relevant and how can this be applied to a career in teaching. It’s also important to do your research, look into what it takes to become a teacher and find out about Scotland’s world-leading national curriculum, Curriculum for Excellence. Discover further advice on how to become a teacher here.