What impact could you make?
I feel my job’s important because I believe pupils can learn a lot through physical activity. It allows them to gain experience like working in groups or pairs. We try to help them become a healthier individual.Linda Mitchell PE teacher, Aberdeenshire
Education at a glance
Whatever your background, if you’re passionate about making a difference in learners’ lives, working in education could be the ideal career for you.
Employment
In 2024, there were 53,412 school teachers in Scotland and over 700,000 pupils. There were also 2,575 funded early learning centres.
Future demand
The Teaching Bursary is a £15,000 incentive to support career changers undertaking a one-year PGDE ITE course in Scotland, in hardest-to-fill teaching subjects.
Source: Teaching Bursary in Scotland
Job diversity
Education needs a diverse range of people to teach people of all ages! You could work with young children in early years, school students aged 5-18 or as a lecturer in further and higher education.
Build a rewarding career in education
We’ve pulled out some of the most popular education job profiles for you to explore.
Secondary school teacher
Classroom assistant
Literacies tutor
Further education lecturer
Early years practitioner
Higher education lecturer
Primary school teacher
Community education coordinator
Learning support assistant
Things you may not know about education
College graduates will boost Scotland’s economy by a whopping £52 billion over their working lives!
Source: The Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde
Salaries for probationer teachers in Scotland start around £33,594 per year. Experienced teachers can earn up to £50,589. An experienced headteacher can earn up to £115,539.
There are two ways to qualify for school teaching in Scotland – a 4-year education degree or a year’s postgraduate Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
Source: Teach in Scotland
What subjects you could take in school
We've pulled together some examples of subjects and Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) that could be useful for getting into an education career.
English
Art and Design
Maths
Modern Languages
Physical Education
Science
History
Geography
Computing and IT
Social Services Children and Young People FA
Organisations supporting the education industry
Discover some of the organisations that develop and influence the education industry.
Education Scotland
The national body for supporting quality and improvement of learning and teaching in Scottish education.
Visit Education Scotland
General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)
The GTCS is the independent regulator for teachers in Scotland. They work to enhance trust in teachers by setting, upholding and promoting high standards.
Visit General Teaching Council for Scotland
Colleges Scotland
Colleges Scotland is the voice of the college sector in Scotland. As the membership organisation, they campaign, advocate and influence policy.
Visit Colleges Scotland
Universities Scotland
Universities Scotland is the representative body of Scotland's 19 higher education institutions.
Visit Universities Scotland
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
SAAS helps higher education students find the right information, support and funding. Find out what funding could be available to train as a teacher.
Visit SAAS
College Development Network (CDN)
CDN works with colleges to develop their people, through events, training and leadership development.
Visit College Development Network
Teach in Scotland
Find out how to become a teacher in Scotland, see what you might gain from a career in education – and hear from real teachers what teaching taught them!
Visit Teach in Scotland
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) – Careers and Education
The careers and education page of the SSSC, the regulator for the social work, social care and children and young people workforce in Scotland.
Visit Scottish Social Services Council