2. Passport Information
When travelling overseas, the most important document you need to carry is your passport. This is your proof
of identity and citizenship whilst you travel internationally. Use the relevant links below to find further
information on the type of passport you will need;
•Australia
•New Zealand
Eligibility for a UK or EU (European Union) Passport
Having access to either a UK or EU Passport could make all the difference when trying to secure work in the
UK.
You can check your eligibility for a UK Passport HERE
For any other EUmember country, you will need to contact the relevant European Embassy to confirm your
eligibility.
3. Security and Vetting
At Academics, we understand that vetting and security is paramount in education, which is why we pride
ourselves on going above and beyond DfE guidelines so that our clients can be 100% assured that our
applicants have been vetted using the most stringent vetting procedures in the industry, allowing clients to
comply with their legal obligations for Safer Recruitment in Education.
Academics have achieved both ASPCO compliance+ and REC Audited Education Gold Standard
Accreditations — and are proud to be the only company in the UK to currently hold both standards.
You can be assured that our vetting procedures are always adhered to and that for all applicants we hold;
•Teaching Qualification – if applicable (verified by DfE/QTLS check or UK NARIC if awarded overseas)
•Valid Photographic ID
•Proof of Right to Work in the UK (UK/EU Passport or valid visa document)
•Competency Based Interview
•Professional References (covering 2 years including most recent employer)
•Current DBS Certificate (Including a valid Online Status Check)
•Barred List Clearance (formerly List99)
•Medical Declaration
•Overseas Police Checks – if applicable (for time spent living or working overseas)
•Current CV (covering 10 year work history)
In the regrettable event of an incident occurring which involves an Academics candidate, we will follow DfE
Incident Reporting Guidelines to the letter. We will also provide all relevant documentation within our
powers, and attend any subsequent meetings or hearings.
4. There are different types of visa which may be available to you. A brief overview of each is provided below;
To complete a Visa application, or for more detailed information visit gov.uk/apply-uk-visa
Types Of Visa
Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS)
As of the 27th November 2008, Commonwealth Citizens are now eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa. It allows young Australians and New Zealanders
between 18 and 30 years of age, to work in the UK for the entire 2 year period of the Visa.
Applicants will need to prove they have sufficient funds available to them at the time of applying. As a guide, you will need at least $3800AUD in your bank account
to apply for this Visa.
more information - Guide to Applying for YMS
IMPORTANT NOTE – DEPENDANTS
Children (those under 18 years of age) are allowed entry to the UK as dependants, and are required to make their application at the same time as the main Visa
applicant. However, if you are travelling on a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme, you are NOT permitted to have dependants travel with you.
Ancestral Visa
An Ancestral Visa is issued to an applicant who has a grandparent born in the UK, and is valid for a maximum of 5 years. You must have access to your
grandparent’s birth certificate to prove that they were born on the UK, you must also have enough funds available to support yourself (and any dependents) when
you arrive in the UK, and also be planning or actively seeking work in the UK before you arrive. After five years living in the UK, you may then be in a position to
apply for permanent residency.
more information - gov.uk/ancestry-visa/overview
Settlement Visa
The Settlement Visa is for candidates who are married to, are planning to marry, or are in a long term Civil Partnership with a British Citizen (or someone who has
permission to live in the UK permanently). It is issued for 2 years, and after that period you may be entitled to apply for permanent residency in the UK.
more information - gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/settle-in-the-uk
Right of Abode (Certificate of Entitlement)
All British Citizens automatically have the Right of Abode, meaning they can live and work in the UK with no immigration restrictions. If you can prove that one of
your parents was born in the UK, you also have UK Right of Abode. In this case, you will need to apply for a Certificate of Entitlement.
more information - gov.uk/right-of-abode
Tier 2 (Skilled Migrant Visa)
The Tier 2 Skilled Migrant Visa is an entry visa for skilled workers who are citizens iof countries outside the European Economic Area. To apply for entry to the UK
under this scheme, you must be in possession of a job offer, and have a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer. In this case, the offer of employment must
be from a school or Local Authority and not Academics.
more information - gov.uk/tier-2-general
Tier 4 General Student Visa
You may enter the UK on the Tier 4 General Student Visa if you have been offered a course placement and you have sufficient funds to pay for that course and to
support yourself while you are in the UK. You are entitled to work, however there are restrictions to the number of hours you can be in paid work whilst travelling on
this type of Visa.
more information - gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa
5. Living in the UK
Money Matters
The British currency is the pound. Notes issued are: £5, £10, £20 and £50. Visa and MasterCard Credit and Debit cards are accepted
at most cash dispensers and these can be a cheap way of obtaining British currency because they generally work on a good exchange
rate. Check with your own bank first as there will be a maximum amount that you can withdraw in this way.
Travellers’ cheques can be changed at banks, building societies, larger post offices, travel agents, bureaus de change and large
supermarkets. Be careful, as some charge more than others!
Opening a bank account in the UK can be difficult without proof of address from the UK or any credit history in the UK. A letter from
your bank and/or a sequence of recent bank statements from your home country will help, and Academics can assist you in opening a
bank account easily.
6. Transport
The transport system in the UK is extensive with trains and buses linking all major cities and towns. Airports are dotted all over the country
and access to these is very good. The Tube (or Underground) in London is the most convenient and efficient way of commuting around the
capital, as traffic can be a problem. Oyster Cards are a cost effective travel pass which you can buy for regular use on the tube. For more
information visit the Transport for London website.
The UK has a large second hand car market and if you shop around good bargains can be found. All cars need to have car insurance, road
tax and an MOT (Ministry of Transport) certificate before it is allowed on the road.autotrader.co.uk is a worthwhile site to visit if you decide
the purchase of a car is necessary. A reasonable car can be purchased for under £600. You may also wish to carry out a status check on
any second-hand car to ensure that it has not been involved in any major accidents or that it does not have any outstanding finance, as this
is linked to the car rather than the owner. (These can be completed online using the car registration and chassis number.)
In all cases an A-Z map of your local area is essential, particularly in London. These can be purchased at most bookstores, garages and
local shops. If you have online access, journeyplanner.gov.uk andstreetmap.co.uk are useful websites for finding your way around.
Taxis are generally easy to come by. In cities you will see the familiar black cab, which will stop if you hail it in the street. A mini cab cannot
stop for you on the street but will need to be pre-booked or collected from a taxi rank. Beware of unlicensed mini cabs especially in bigger
cities - many of these drivers have no licences, no insurance and their cars may not be roadworthy. Always be suspicious of very low fares
and check if the driver has registration documents in their cab.
7. Healthcare
In an emergency, healthcare is free in the UK and the standards are the highest in the world. General taxation funds the National Health Service
(NHS). There is a shortage of NHS doctors, especially in London and it may be difficult to find a practice that has space for you. The easiest way
to contact an NHS GP is at nhs.uk where you will find a list of names and numbers to contact in the area you will be living. You will need to
register with a doctor in advance in your local area as the majority do not accept walk-in cases and those who do, generally have very long
waiting times. Dentists are not free but some are subsidised by the NHS. You will need to register with a dentist as with your GP.
8. Accommodation
For short term accommodation there are hostels, bed and breakfasts, hotels and friends’ couches! This will be expensive (except for the couch)
and not suitable for long periods of time. The Internet is a good tool for accessing this type of accommodation. Some useful websites are detailed
below:
•loot.com/property
•gumtree.com
•tntmagazine.com
•timeout.co.uk
•yha.org.uk
•spareroom.co.uk
•roommatesuk.com
Finding more permanent accommodation will depend on your budget and where in the country you want to live. London is more expensive than
the rest of the country but generally the nearer you live to a city, the more expensive the accommodation becomes.
You will be able to choose from a wide range of agents and companies who can help with renting and/or buying a property. Renting a flat before
you arrive is not recommended so it may be necessary to book into temporary accommodation for a couple of days to find your feet and take it
from there. Rented accommodation is very common. Apartments, flats and studios of different descriptions are available countrywide either for an
individual or shared.
A 3 bed flat in London could cost up to £1000+ a month (shared amongst flat mates of course) although it does depend in which part of the city
you live. In rental situations, it is customary that credit checks and references are carried out before a tenancy agreement is signed. Once you
are successful, the initial rental period will be for approximately 6 months and then it is extended if needed. On signing this agreement, a deposit
will be necessary which usually comprises of 4-6 weeks rent. This deposit is refundable on leaving the property and used by landlords to
safeguard the property against damages and breakages. A month’s rent in advance is also standard procedure. This is an expensive process so
you must ensure that you have enough money to cover your initial costs.
You will also have household bills for council tax, gas, electricity, water and telephone accounts. When sharing a property, the bills will be shared
by each tenant and this will keep your expenses down.
