Teach First Graduate Programme 2027: Teach Lead Change, Eligibility and How to Apply
If you want a graduate route that combines teaching with leadership development, this guide covers what the programme is, who can apply, how the application works and how to prepare. Every fact below comes from the programme’s official pages, which we read on 4 November 2026 (links in Sources). The salary page itself says it is “under review”, so we only quote figures that appear elsewhere on the official site.
In this guide
What is Teach Lead Change?
The official description is of a new approach to developing teachers and leaders, aimed at improving outcomes for children facing disadvantage. It is a two-year programme that starts with initial teacher training at the Summer Institute, then puts you in the classroom from day one. You are placed in one school for both years, and you may need to relocate within England: placements prioritise the schools and areas where need is greatest, and flexibility matters most for primary places, where applications are high and places limited (subjects and locations).
Check your eligibility
The official page lists four requirements. Answer them below for a quick read. This is a guide only: the official checker and your application decide.
Eligibility check
Answer all four questions.
On the degree: the official page says 2:2s are considered for secondary teaching only, and that primary requires a 2:1 or above. If you are in that 2:2 position, our guide to graduate jobs you can still get with a 2:2 covers other routes. On visas, Teach Lead Change cannot sponsor, so you need your right to work secured by April of your start year.
Subjects you can teach
Eleven secondary subjects were open when we read the site, and primary was closed until early 2027. Pick a subject to see the official summary of what qualifies.
Subject finder
Choose a subject above.
The two years, step by step
Initial teacher training before you start in the classroom. You meet your Teach First Development Lead and connect with other trainees and ambassadors.
From day one you teach 80% of a fully qualified teacher’s timetable (60% for primary), earning at least the basic unqualified teacher salary. You are trained and assessed by a Teach First expert and a school mentor. Completing year one gives you qualified teacher status (QTS). The programme is expected to include a PGCE delivered by the National Institute of Teaching, subject to validation and approval.
An optional work placement with a supporter organisation. The official page names Accenture, The Bright Ideas Challenge, The Lord Mayor’s Appeal and Citi as examples.
You become an early career teacher (ECT) on at least £34,069, with access to coaching, leadership pathways and impact projects.
Stay at your school, move to another or explore other sectors. You join a network of ambassadors that the programme describes as 22,000 strong.
How to apply
The official application page sets out four stages. You will need your degree details, English and maths GCSE grades (plus science for primary), your right-to-work status and a 250-word answer on why you want the programme and how you align with the Teach First mission.
The online assessment asks competency-based questions on motivation, leadership and adaptability, so our graduate assessment centre guide and situational judgement test guide are useful practice. Reasonable adjustments can be requested at any stage.
Pay and benefits
You earn a salary from day one in the classroom. In year one the official programme page says you earn at least the basic salary for an unqualified teacher; in year two, as an early career teacher, at least £34,069. The dedicated salary page currently says its information is under review, so check it before you apply. To turn a salary into take-home pay, use our paycheck calculator and read what annual income means.
How to prepare
Start with the official application tips and the programme events. Read the subject requirements first, since they decide which route you can apply for. Draft the 250-word motivation answer early, with one concrete example of leadership or work with young people. Compare deadlines for other schemes on our graduate scheme deadlines calendar and browse the Graduate Scheme hub, remembering that Teach Lead Change publishes no fixed closing date on the pages we read, so apply early.
We did not find a named participant quote on the official pages we could read, so we have not included one rather than inventing it.
FAQ
Is Teach First the same as Teach Lead Change?
Teach Lead Change is the name of Teach First’s graduate leadership programme on its official site. Teach First also lists other teacher training routes.
How long is the programme?
Two years, after a Summer Institute of initial teacher training.
Do I get QTS?
The official page says you achieve qualified teacher status once you complete your first year.
Can I apply with a 2:2?
The official page says 2:2s are considered for secondary teaching only. Primary needs a 2:1 or above.
Do you sponsor visas?
No. You need the right to work in the UK for the whole programme, secured by April of your start year.
When can I apply for primary?
The official subjects page says primary applications open in early 2027.
How long does the application take?
About 60 minutes for the form, then a 50-minute online assessment and a screening outcome within 20 working days.
