The UK government has introduced a generous incentive to attract international talent to England’s classrooms. A £10,000 (approximately N10 million) International Relocation Payment (IRP) is now available to non-UK citizens, including Nigerian graduates specializing in languages and physics, who wish to teach or train to teach in England. The application deadline is October 31, 2023.
This financial support aims to ease the transition of educators to England by covering expenses such as visa fees, immigration health surcharges, and other relocation costs. Notably, the IRP is a one-time payment that recipients are not required to repay. Eligible trainee teachers may also combine the IRP with bursaries or scholarships.
To qualify for the IRP, candidates must commit to working in England for the 2023 to 2024 academic year. The offer exclusively applies to individuals who are not UK citizens and are not currently residing in the UK. Interested parties should begin by ensuring their qualifications align with the requirements listed on the UK Teaching website. The link is below.
The scheme operates differently for fee-paying trainees, salaried trainees, and teachers. Fee-paying trainees will have the IRP directly paid by their training providers alongside any entitled bursaries. Teachers and trainees starting their roles after October 31, 2023, are encouraged to express their interest by emailing IRP.ExpressInterest@education.gov.uk, with successful applicants anticipated to receive the £10,000 (approximately N10 million) by January 31, 2024.
Applicants are advised to apply promptly. For those who miss the October 2023 deadline, the UK government has assured another round of applications will commence in January 2024.
To be eligible for the IRP, applicants must meet the following criteria:
The eligible languages for the payment include Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. In the field of physics, eligible courses encompass physics, astrophysics, and nuclear physics. Applicants should also note that they must apply for a skilled worker visa at the embassy as part of the process.
This initiative by the UK government represents a significant opportunity for non-UK educators, including Nigerian graduates, to enrich the educational landscape in England while receiving substantial financial support for their relocation. Don’t miss out on this chance to contribute to the world of teaching and expand your horizons in England. Apply now!
Credit: Legit.ng
