Teaching in Northern Ireland

Discover the qualifications you'll need and what funding is available as you embark on your teaching career in Northern Ireland

There are two university-based routes to complete your Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and become a teacher in Northern Ireland:

a full-time, four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Education degree (BEd).
a one-year postgraduate qualification such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). This is the most common route.

Courses are delivered through a combination of school-based placements and university tuition.

You'll be able to choose between qualifying in early years, primary or post-primary (secondary) education and pick from a range of subject specialisms, from maths to technology and the arts.

Are teachers in demand in Northern Ireland?

There are currently some teacher supply issues in schools in Northern Ireland, particularly in post-primary subjects - specifically mathematics, science (biology, chemistry and physics) and technology and design.

What qualifications do I need to teach in Northern Ireland?

You’ll need a GCSE grade C/4/5 or above (or equivalent) in English and maths. To teach in a primary school you will also need a GCSE grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in a science subject.

For postgraduate study, you'll also need to hold a suitable undergraduate degree, assessed by the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), before you can register.

Generally, to begin teacher training you'll need to demonstrate some previous work experience in schools.

You'll also have to undergo a full police and criminal background check from AccessNI to secure a permanent teaching job.

To teach in a Catholic primary school or nursery, you'll need a Certificate in Religious Education. In Northern Ireland, you can obtain this from St Mary's University or Ulster University. It's also offered at several centres across England, Scotland and Wales.

Which institutions offer teaching qualifications?

You can train to become a teacher at one of four institutions in Northern Ireland. These are:

Queen's University Belfast
St Mary's University College
Stranmillis University College
Ulster University, School of Education.

While PGCE courses are offered by all of these institutions, you'll find BEd programmes at St Mary's University College and Stranmillis University College.

How do I apply to teach in Northern Ireland?

Applications to St Mary's University College and Ulster University are made directly through their websites, while applications to Stranmillis University College are made through UCAS.

For postgraduate courses, you'll need to apply directly through institutions. Some may have online portals, such as the Queen's University Belfast Direct Applications Portal, while others will have application forms to download, fill out and send off.

Your application should include a CV and teaching personal statement as well as proof of your credentials through copies of your certificates or your academic transcripts.

When do I apply?

The same application dates and deadlines apply as those set for institutions in England, Wales and Scotland if you're applying for a BEd through UCAS. This is usually around January each year.

Applications to St Mary’s University College open on the 1 October each year and close mid-January for BEd programmes and the end of February for the PGCE.

Postgraduate course application opening dates and deadlines are displayed on individual websites. You should aim to apply as early as possible, from nine months to a year before the start date of your course, as some universities prioritise early applications. Teaching is also a popular subject.

Late applications are generally accepted, but this is at each university's discretion and there's no guarantee that a late application will be considered.

How much will it cost?

In 2024/25, full-time undergraduate students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are required to pay £4,750 per year of academic study. Those from England, Scotland and Wales will pay £9,250 and international students can expect to pay £20,800.

Contact your chosen institution for more information about part-time tuition fees, as there are no legal requirements for the amount universities should charge for part-time courses.

Don't forget to factor cost of living into your budget. As well as tuition fees, you'll need to cover the costs of accommodation, transport, food and course materials.

Is funding available?

You're entitled to £4,710 in undergraduate tuition fee loan support from Student Finance NI, or up to £6,500 if you're doing postgraduate study - providing you meet the following criteria:

you're an EU national
you've lived in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for at least three years before the start of your course
you'll be living in Northern Ireland on or before the first day of the first year of your course
you'll be studying at a university or college in Northern Ireland.

To apply for a loan you'll need to create a Student Finance NI account and then complete the form providing all the required evidence. Once your application has been processed, you'll discover how much funding you're entitled to.

The deadline for submitting a funding application is nine months after the first day of the academic year. This is:

1 September, for courses beginning between 1 August and 31 December
1 January, for courses beginning between 1 January and 31 March
1 April, for courses beginning between 1 April and 30 June
1 July, for courses beginning between 1 July and 31 July.

You'll need to apply for every year of study. You won't be able to receive Student Finance funding if you already hold a qualification of equal level or higher to the one you're studying for. Contact your individual institution for guidance on any other funding you may be entitled to.

Find out more about postgraduate loans in Northern Ireland.

Where do I find out about teaching jobs in Northern Ireland?

You can find teaching jobs advertised on:

Try searching local and national press, or contacting the schools you'd like to work in directly, to discover opportunities.

Alternatively, search teaching and education jobs in Northern Ireland.

Do I need to speak Irish?

Opportunities to qualify in Irish exist for candidates who can demonstrate a proficiency in the language, typically at A-level standard or equivalent. While not an essential pre-requisite of teaching in Ireland, having a grasp of Irish will broaden your career prospects.