Teach First Training Programme 2027

Pays £23,732 a year.

NoTeach First Training Programme

No. Teach First does not sponsor its training programme for international students who need a visa. The international applicants page says "We cannot sponsor visa applications" because programme members are employed by their placement schools. The Graduate visa and the Youth Mobility Scheme visa are also not accepted as proof of right to remain.

Sponsors grads?: No
Pay vs threshold: Not published
Opportunity: graduate scheme
Pay: Unqualified teacher pay range in year one, qualified teacher salary in year two
2027 cycle: Applications open now for the Teach Lead Change programme starting June 2027, no closing date published; primary applications open from early 2027
Confidence: high

Teach First Training Programme: at a glance

Teach First's graduate teacher training programme now runs as Teach Lead Change, a two-year programme. Participants begin with initial teacher training at Summer Institute, then teach from day one on 80% of a qualified teacher's timetable (60% for primary), supported by a Teach First Development Lead and a school mentor. They achieve qualified teacher status after the first year, become early career teachers in the second year, and can take an optional work placement with a supporter organisation. Source

Duration: Two years, after a summer training period“Starting in the classroom, this two-year programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills and leadership capabilities to improve outcomes for children facing disadvantage.”Source
Start date: June 2027 in Teach First's own example for the summer training start, with work to August 2029“For example, if you are starting the programme in June 2027, you will need to have proved your eligibility by April 2027, and be able to work full-time until August 2029.”Source
Who can apply: Right to work in the UK full time for the whole programme, secured by April of the start year; Teach First cannot sponsor visas“We cannot sponsor visas, so you will need to have secured one separately by April of the year you're due to start training with us.”Source
Locations: Schools across England“We work across England, and we prioritise schools and areas where the need for amazing teachers is greatest.”Source
Starting pay: First year: £23,732 to £34,702 depending on phase, subject and location (Inner London, Outer London, London Fringe or Rest of England); second year: at least £34,069 to at least £41,729“First year - primary £29,336 £27,727 £24,909 £23,732 First year - secondary (maths, science and modern foreign languages) £34,702 £33,094 £30,272 £28,758 First year - secondary (all other subjects) £32,018 £30,412 £27,589 £26,075 Second year - all subjects At least £41,729 At least £39,196 At least £35,602 At least £34,069”Source
Degree requirement: UK honours degree (or equivalent) at 2:1 or above; 2:2 considered for secondary teaching only“You need a UK undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent), 2:1 or above, to meet our graduate programme requirements. We'll consider 2:2 degrees for secondary teaching only.”Source

How Teach First recruits

Teach Lead Change programme, June 2027 start example. 4 stages, from Teach First's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where Teach First names them.

1
Complete our application form
Application form
About 60 minutes: academics and qualifications, subject and location preferences, a 250-word answer on motivation and mission alignment, and right-to-work status.
- about 60 minutes
“You will be asked to detail your academics and qualifications. We'll then ask you to share your subject and location preferences.”
Source
2
Online assessment
Online tests
Online task-based assessment of about 50 minutes, sent one working day after applying, due within five days; competency questions on motivation, leadership and adaptability.
- about 50 minutes
“One working day after submitting your application, you will be sent an online task-based assessment. This must be completed within five days. You will be asked to answer competency-based questions about your motivation, leadership and adaptability.”
Source
Screening your application
Other stage
Individual review by the team, outcome within 20 working days.
“Your application will be assessed on an individual basis by our team and the outcome will be sent to you within 20 working days.”
Source
Development Centre
Assessment centre
One-day Development Centre for successful applicants; activities not described on this page.
“If your online application is successful you will be invited to attend our Development Centre.”
Source

Every programme and stage at Teach First

“We cannot sponsor visa applications.”

Teach First, from its own careers pages

The catch: This rules out the two visa routes most international graduates of UK universities would otherwise hold, since the programme's minimum length outlasts both a standard Graduate visa and a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

Teach First early careers Verify on gov.uk See the licence record

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What Teach First publishes about this programme

Checked against Teach First's own careers pages on 2026-10-24. Anything not published is worth asking the early careers team before you apply.

Visa sponsorship policy: published
Application dates: published
Programme description: published
Duration and start date: published
Who can apply: published
Pay: published
Locations: published
Degree requirement: published
Recruitment stages: published

More early careers programmes at Teach First

Training Programmegraduate scheme, no

Sources

Verdict last checked 2026-10-24. How we check programme verdicts

Common questions

Does Teach First sponsor visas for its training programme?

What is the Teach First training programme?

Does the pay clear the UK Skilled Worker salary threshold?

The pay for this scheme is not published clearly enough to judge against the threshold.

What is the catch international students miss with Teach First?

This rules out the two visa routes most international graduates of UK universities would otherwise hold, since the programme's minimum length outlasts both a standard Graduate visa and a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

When do applications open for the Teach First training programme?

Applications open now for the Teach Lead Change programme starting June 2027, no closing date published; primary applications open from early 2027. Checked on 2026-10-24 against Teach First's own site.

How long is the Teach First training programme?

Two years, after a summer training period, according to Teach First's own careers information.

When does the Teach First training programme start?

June 2027 in Teach First's own example for the summer training start, with work to August 2029, according to Teach First's own careers information.

Who can apply for the Teach First training programme?

Right to work in the UK full time for the whole programme, secured by April of the start year; Teach First cannot sponsor visas, according to Teach First's own careers information.

Where is the Teach First training programme based?

Schools across England, according to Teach First's own careers information.

What does the Teach First training programme pay?

First year: £23,732 to £34,702 depending on phase, subject and location (Inner London, Outer London, London Fringe or Rest of England); second year: at least £34,069 to at least £41,729, according to Teach First's own careers information.

What degree do you need for the Teach First training programme?

UK honours degree (or equivalent) at 2:1 or above; 2:2 considered for secondary teaching only, according to Teach First's own careers information.

How should I confirm Teach First's sponsorship before applying?

Read the specific vacancy on Teach First's careers site, ask its early-careers team directly, and check the employer on the gov.uk Register of Licensed Sponsors. Policies and thresholds change, so treat this page as a starting point and confirm for the exact role and cycle.

Related guides

All visa and sponsorship guides

Other public sector schemes

Before you apply

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