How Much Does It Cost for a Nigerian Teacher to Relocate to the United Kingdom? 🇬🇧
From 9 September 2026, teachers who trained in Nigeria can no longer use the Department for Education's apply for QTS in England service, so the free QTS route this guide used to describe is closed to them. GOV.UK points them to other routes into teaching in England. You can still be hired by a sponsoring school and teach in England for up to 4 years without QTS, and maths, physics, and modern languages remain shortage subjects. This guide covers the costs, requirements, and routes that remain open.
Quick Numbers
Total Cost
₦7.0M – ₦8.8M
Starting Salary
£34,069/yr
M1 → Leadership (2026/27)
Nigerians Who Moved
5,230
QTS awards to overseas teachers 2024-25
Source Rank
28% increase YoY
Step-by-Step: Registration & Costs
1QTS through the apply-for-QTS service: closed to Nigeria-trained teachersNot available (closed to Nigeria-trained teachers since 9 Sep 2026)
From 9 September 2026, teachers who trained to teach in Ghana, India or Nigeria are no longer eligible to use the apply for QTS in England service. GOV.UK says more than 70% of applications from Ghana and Nigeria used work references from public email addresses such as Gmail or Hotmail. Nigeria-trained teachers are pointed to other routes into teaching in England instead, and you can still teach for up to 4 years without QTS while you pursue one.
2UK ENIC Statement of Comparability£69.60
Your Nigerian degree must be verified as equivalent to a UK undergraduate degree. Apply to UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) for a Statement of Comparability. This helps schools assess your qualification and strengthens your visa application.
3English Language Test (IELTS for UKVI)₦295,000–₦315,500
Nigeria is NOT on the UK's list of majority English-speaking countries. From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants need CEFR B2 (IELTS 5.5 each component). If your Nigerian degree was taught entirely in English, it may satisfy the requirement when verified by UK ENIC. Taking IELTS is the safest route to avoid delays.
4Find a Teaching Job with Visa SponsorshipFree (agencies don't charge teachers)
Apply to UK schools that hold a sponsor licence. Specialist agencies like Engage Education, iCan Teach UK, and Teach In connect overseas teachers with sponsoring schools. The DfE's Get Into Teaching portal also lists opportunities. You can teach in England for up to 4 years WITHOUT QTS under a legal exemption, which matters more now that Nigeria-trained teachers cannot use the apply-for-QTS service. Maths, physics, computer science, and modern languages are the highest-demand subjects.
5Skilled Worker Visa Application£819 (visa) + £3,105 (IHS 3yr) = £3,924
Apply for the Skilled Worker visa once your school issues a Certificate of Sponsorship. Teachers have special salary rules: the minimum is based on the national pay framework (for qualified teachers, £31,650 in England outside London up to £38,766 in Inner London, per the GOV.UK national pay scales table updated 9 April 2025), NOT the standard £41,700 threshold. Teachers are NOT exempt from IHS — you pay £1,035/year. For a 3-year visa: £819 + £3,105 = £3,924.
Other Costs to Budget For
Official fee ₦40,000 via POSSAP. Actual costs vary.
Official source ↗Required for all teachers working with children. DBS Update Service: £15/yr.
Official source ↗Good News: Employer Sponsorship
UK schools with sponsor licences actively recruit international teachers, especially for shortage subjects (maths, physics, MFL, computer science). Specialist agencies handle the entire placement and visa process. The DfE's Get Into Teaching portal connects overseas teachers with sponsoring schools. The employer pays the Certificate of Sponsorship (£525) and Immigration Skills Charge (£1,320/year for large sponsors). No WHO safeguard list restriction for teachers — active recruitment is fully permitted.
What employers typically cover:
- Certificate of Sponsorship (£525)
- Immigration Skills Charge (£1,320/year)
- Some schools offer relocation packages for shortage subjects
What You'll Earn: M1 → Leadership (2026/27)
Entry
£34,069
per year
After 2 Years
£43,685
per year
Top of Band
£52,835
per year
Qualified teacher pay from 1 September 2026 (subject to consultation): £34,069–£52,835 in England outside London; £35,602–£54,328 London fringe; £39,196–£58,120 Outer London; £41,729–£64,684 Inner London. Source ↗
Important Things to Know
- From 9 September 2026, Nigeria-trained teachers can no longer use the apply for QTS in England service (GOV.UK, updated 9 September 2026). The free QTS route is closed to them.
- You can still teach in England for up to 4 years WITHOUT QTS under a legal exemption, so a sponsored teaching job remains open.
- GOV.UK points teachers who cannot use the apply-for-QTS service to other routes into teaching, listed on Get Into Teaching (getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/routes-into-teaching).
- Teachers have special visa salary rules: minimum £31,650 for qualified teachers in England outside London (GOV.UK table updated 9 April 2025) (not the standard £41,700 threshold).
- Shortage subjects (maths, physics, computer science, MFL) have the strongest job prospects and fastest hiring.
- 5,230 overseas teachers were awarded QTS in 2024-25, a 28% increase year-over-year.
- Enhanced DBS check (£41) required once in the UK — mandatory for working with children.
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Start Free CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost for a Nigerian teacher to relocate to the UK in 2026?
Total out-of-pocket: approximately £4,000–£5,000 (₦7M–₦9.5M). The biggest cost is the Skilled Worker visa (£819) plus IHS (£3,105 for 3 years). The free apply-for-QTS service has been closed to Nigeria-trained teachers since 9 September 2026. Add UK ENIC (£69.60), IELTS (₦295K–315K), TB test ($94), police clearance (₦40K–100K), and flight (~£465). DBS check (£41) once in the UK.
Can Nigerian teachers still get QTS for free?
No. From 9 September 2026, teachers who trained to teach in Ghana, India or Nigeria are no longer eligible to use the apply for QTS in England service. GOV.UK points them to other routes into teaching in England. You can still teach for up to 4 years without QTS under the legal exemption while you pursue another route.
Can I teach in the UK without QTS?
Yes. Overseas teachers can teach in maintained schools in England for up to 4 years without QTS under a legal exemption. This means you can get hired and start working while you pursue another route to QTS.
What subjects are in demand for Nigerian teachers in the UK?
Maths, physics, computer science, and modern foreign languages (MFL) are the most in-demand. Physics recruited only 31% of its postgraduate target in 2024/25. These shortage subjects have the fastest hiring, most relocation support, and strongest sponsorship prospects.
What salary can a Nigerian teacher expect in the UK?
From 1 September 2026 (subject to consultation), the minimum starting salary for a qualified teacher is £34,069 in England outside London and £41,729 in Inner London. The top of the qualified teacher range is £52,835 outside London and £64,684 in Inner London.
Do I need IELTS if I trained in Nigeria where English is the official language?
Unfortunately, Nigeria is NOT on the UK's list of majority English-speaking countries. You must prove English proficiency. If your degree was taught entirely in English and this can be verified by UK ENIC, it may satisfy the requirement. Otherwise, take IELTS for UKVI (minimum 5.5 each component for B2). Taking the test is the safest route to avoid visa delays.
Related guides
Same profession, other countries
See cost breakdowns for this profession in other countries
Compare what it costs Nigerian teachers to relocate to each top destination.
Sources & Verification
We reviewed this page against official sources on 8 Oct 2026; each figure links to its source where an official one exists. We do not use AI training data for any costs, fees, or policy claims.
Verification Notes
UK ENIC fee confirmed at £69.60 on enic.org.uk on 6 October 2026.
Nigerian-specific QTS award numbers not published in TRA reports. 5,230 is the total for all overseas teachers.
Teacher pay figures are the 2026/27 ranges on Get Into Teaching; the September 2026 pay award is subject to a consultation period.
Written by Max Ayobami
Founder of Japa Calculator, Nigeria's first data-driven relocation decision tool. Every cost figure and expert tip on this page is independently researched and verified against official government and regulatory body sources.