Speak to a careers adviser
Regional careers advisers (RCAs) offer impartial guidance, advice and information to graduates thinking of changing their career to become a teacher.
Advisers have expert knowledge of teaching and education. They can help you decide whether teaching is the right career for you, explore your training options and advise you on your next steps to becoming a teacher.
What advice do RCAs offer?
If you are a graduate and thinking of changing your career to teaching, we can offer you:
- impartial guidance, advice and information on teaching in state schools
- a flexible one-off service delivered by telephone or e-mail at a mutually convenient time
- advice tailored to your situation, with the opportunity to explore whether a teaching career is right for you
- a summary of any advice given, which will clarify your next steps
Who do RCAs help?
RCAs work with graduate career changers wishing to teach:
- mathematics
- physics
- chemistry
- design and technology
- information and communications technology
- modern languages
- music
- religious education, or
- science
They also offer advice to:
- people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds
- those with disabilities, and
- men wishing to teach the primary phase.
Do I qualify for the RCA service?
You must have UK residency and have been awarded a degree in the UK. If you obtained your degree outside the UK you should get your qualifications verified by UK NARIC. Visit the UK NARIC website or call 0870 990 4088.
If you are studying as an undergraduate, postgraduate or international student, you should contact the educational institution where you are studying for careers advice.
If you are an overseas trained teacher, read our advice for you or call 0845 6000 991.
How do I register for an appointment?
Call the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 and ask to be put in touch with an RCA.
You can also register online. Just tick the box when asked whether you would like to be contacted by an RCA.
How and when will I be contacted?
You will be contacted via e-mail initially, and the RCA will ask you whether you prefer to be contacted via telephone or e-mail.
The RCA service is popular and owing to the high demand you will only be contacted within the first month after you register.
We give priority to graduate career changers registering an interest in teaching mathematics, physics or chemistry.
Further information on teaching
Before registering for careers advice, and to make sure you get the most out of your appointment with an RCA, you may want to review information on ways into teaching on this website.
