Education Alternatives

Higher Education Teaching 

There are options for teaching-only roles within universities and Higher Education institutions, without responsibilities focused on research and funding income.  

The range of teaching responsibilities can be diverse: from syllabus and lecture design and delivery, small group and 1:1 workshops, practical demonstrations, and exam setting, marking and invigilation. Supervision of student projects is also typical. Initial stages of teaching-focused careers in higher education can be part of a 'portfolio' career, with multiple separate positions held at once whether within the same or at different institutions. 

Roles exist within universities, US colleges and research institutes. Read the academia and higher education sector briefing to find out more. 

Adult Education Teaching 

Further Education 

Whilst ‘Further Education’ (FE) can refer to post-16 colleges in the UK, focused on 16-18 year old pupils, there are many specialist further education institutions and learning centres that focus on adults and wider community groups outside of formal school settings. These can teach A-levels, BTECs, NVQs and T Levels amongst other courses such as apprenticeships and foundation degrees. 

Teaching qualifications are not required for all roles, but depending on the topic and style of content being taught can sometimes be required or advantageous to demonstrate your teaching abilities. 

A useful overview of the UK Further Education sector is provided on the Prospects website and The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) Guide to the FE System in England. 

Community Education 

Roles in community education focus greatly on engaging local groups to engage with educational and training opportunities. Many community education activities are located in community centres and spaces such as libraries and churches, typically focused on areas of higher unemployment and social deprivation. 

Roles focused on educational delivery could provide courses ranging from vocational and apprenticeships, classroom core subjects, skills development (e.g. literacy, numeracy, IT), personal development and life skills, as well as more recreational courses. It can be dependent on focal group, but additional responsibilities can involve work experience coordination. 

More involvement in community outreach and engagement or working with local councils and partner organisations to identify target groups and educational needs can be required of some roles, with roles in administration and management of others also common. It is common to have part-time positions, supporting multiple independent courses or different education organisations. 
 
Not all organisations require a teaching qualification, though it can be beneficial or required for many, as can qualifications in community work and education. Voluntary or professional experience engaging in educational or community engagement activities are also advantageous 

Education in public organisations 

A number of organisations deliver educational activities for diverse audiences, ranging in purpose from informal entertainment to skill development or school curriculum links. For example, museum and heritage venues, science and discovery centres, charities and societies all commonly have strategic commitments to provide engagement and educational activities. 

Roles may range in format from pure design and delivery of education lessons/events, to team/project management or administrative. Common job titles can include terms such as Education Officer, Schools Liaison, Engagement Manager, Science Communicator and Programme Manager.  

Opportunities also exist for freelance and consultant roles supporting specific exhibitions, events, projects, and programmes provided by larger organisations and groups. 

There are many paths possible for entering such roles, with the experience and qualifications required differing between roles and their requirements. Individuals for education-delivery focused roles may enter directly from undergraduate, postgraduate, or further academic or professional careers. Teaching qualifications can be an advantage for some roles, especially school curriculum linked roles, but entry with equivalent experience in public or school engagement or communication can be common.  

Many additional roles may focus more on the administration, event management and coordination behind the scenes. These positions may be of interest to those not favouring delivering educational activities first-hand, but instead supporting their creation and impact. 

Tutoring 

Teaching in one-to-one or small group activities outside of formal classroom settings, typically through online, home-based, or other arranged venues. The focal group can range from early years to adult education, with purposes from school curriculum to languages and life skills. Responsibilities commonly involve both the design and delivery of educational activities, as well as commonly requiring work towards the marketing, safeguarding and data protection requirements of such roles especially when freelance. Working as a tutor for a larger organisation can reduce the time spent conducting such administrative tasks, but can have trade-offs with other aspects of the role.  

Flexible working hours can attract many to utilise tutoring as a primary income source, or as a ‘side-hustle’ to increase income or add flexibility to more formal primary jobs. Tutoring can be used as demonstratable experience when applying for other Education roles. 

Check Oxford Careers Service ‘CareerConnect’ vacancies and opportunities pages for frequently advertised tutoring opportunities. If registering with a tutoring company, check they’re registered with The Tutor’s Association.  

Education Policy 

A broad area where professionals look to use educational policies to improve education quality, access and learning experiences.  

This involves analysts, policy offers and researchers examining challenges and key issues which effect education, including but not limited to the impact of technology, curriculum development, funding constraints, poverty and the recruitment of teaching staff. Roles within this area can sit within local authorities and government, charities and think tanks.  

It’s typical for people working in this space to have a Masters degree or PhD related to the technical expertise they wish to focus on. 

Local authorities and government 

In England, the Department of Education (DfE) is responsible for children’s services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England. A particular focus is ensuring equal opportunity for all, no matter background, family circumstances, or need. Read the Government and Public Services sector briefing to find out more. You can also look for job vacancies at DfE on Civil Service jobs. 

Although the DfE sets national education policy, councils in England are responsible for statutory education duties. This includes ensuring that there are sufficient high-quality school places and a fair admissions process. The Understanding Local Government website provides accessible information on the structure and working practices of local government across the UK, offering a valuable introduction to this important and diverse branch of public sector administration.   

Charities and international organisations 

There are numerous charities and international organisations who advocate for policy changes to improve education and access. For example, Save the Children works with international institutions, governments, donors, civil society coalitions and children themselves to advocate for global policies. The National Literacy Trust campaigns to directly influence, and work in partnership with, policy and decision makers and UNICEF advocates for education and learning for every child.  

Read the Charities sector briefing to find out more about working in the charity sector and to find relevant vacancy information. 

Think tanks and research institutions 

Think tanks and research institutions conduct research, analysis and policy recommendations, influencing and working in partnership with decision makers. Examples include The Education Policy Institute, HEPI (Higher Education Policy Institute), Centre for Education Policy & Equalising Opportunities (UCL) and The Sutton trust. 

Read the Think Tanks sector briefing to find out more and to find relevant vacancy information. 

Related information 

• Department for Education 

• Education Policy Institute 

• Institute of Administrative Management (IAM) 

• Welsh Government Education and Skills 

• Education Scotland 

• Department of Education Northern Ireland 

Education Consultancy 

Education consultancy is a general term and can mean lots of different things. For example, you could be working in a consulting firm, supporting education providers to design and develop curriculum and new strategies. Alternatively, you could be freelance delivering training to organisations to help them cultivate talent. You could even advise and tutor for an international based consultancy for families and pupils to help them through the admissions process for schools and university. If you are interested in education consultancy it is important to understand the types of roles within this area and what each employer is looking for. 

Strategy consultancy firms 

Strategic advice to companies on a project-by-project basis, sometimes partnering with foundations or international charities. Projects could include providing strategic advice for transformation programmes for education institutions, funding strategy and overcoming educational disruptions.  

Read the management consultancy and management consultancy beyond the obvious briefings to find out more.  

Niche/ boutique HE/ School Consultancies 

Strategic advice from consultancies often with specific areas of expertise. For example, advising a university on curriculum development or delivering change programmes, or supporting a school with reviews of safeguarding, school culture and SEND. 

In-house Teaching and Learning 

Many HE institutions have their own in-house teaching and learning centres, for the promotion of flexible and inclusive teaching, usage of digital tools, and to initiate, support and evaluate academic participation. 

Global education companies 

Global education companies advise on qualifications and credentials, learning materials, assessment and technology. Although not strictly a ‘consultancy’, many roles within this area include subject advisory roles, supporting teachers to deliver courses and training. 

International and national based consultancies for families and pupils 

Advise families on different schools, the application process, university admissions, and provide tuition. Roles within this area often involve maintaining relations with education institutions to keep up to date knowledge. 

Freelance 

Some professionals within education consultancy are freelance or have a portfolio career comprising some of the roles above. Freelancing is working for a client under a fixed contract to do a task or project before moving to the next. A portfolio career combines a mixture of (often freelance) professional roles. Read the freelancing and portfolio careers briefing to find out more.  

Roles within the education sector are broad and applicants will need to closely examine the selection criteria of individual job descriptions to understand what each employer is looking for. Typically, employers will be looking for demonstrable evidence of an interest in education, in addition to: 

• Specialist subject knowledge relevant to the area you are applying. For some roles, professionals working in this sector have a Masters degree or PhD related to the technical expertise they wish to focus on. Check the information above for degree requirements for specific roles and always check individual job descriptions 

• Experience of working with young people and/or teaching qualification for some roles 

• Communication skills 

• Motivation and interpersonal skills 

• Organisational skills 

You can gain experience alongside your degree, for example: 

• Classroom presentation: Outreach/Access Days, Summer Schools, university tutorials/labs, Tutoring, Oxford Hub Programmes, Jacari, TEFL 

• Content design: access programmes (e.g. Brilliant Club, in2science, UNIQ), private tutoring 

• Presentation skills: public engagement, science communication, online social media 

• Volunteering: charities, museums, college/university, community groups 

• Courses: Associate Fellowship of Higher Education Academy, Oxford Centre for Teaching and Learning (PLTO)  

• For some roles, strategy experience, consulting and client experience, e.g. The Oxford Strategy Challenge 

• Relevant Micro and Summer internships, numerous opportunities in education and business 

• Other: create resources hosted on personal website  

• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) 

Vacancies and occupation information 

• Jobs.ac.uk – Academic and other university jobs and careers advice. 

• Prospects 

• Targetjobs 

• Times Higher Education – Weekly higher education news, including jobs. 

• Guardian: Higher Education – General news and information about Higher Education, working in HE and insightful articles and blogs on a variety of topics, including careers. 

• Chronicle of Higher Education –  News/jobs at US universities. 

• Oxford University Jobs – Current job opportunities within Oxford University. 

• Academic Jobs EU – Research and academic jobs in Europe. 

• Higher Ed Jobs – Higher education jobs in the US. 

• Curriculum – National Curriculum information.