padgrad is a free career platform for graduates. It matches jobs to your degree, generates AI-powered CV checks and cover letters, and sends daily personalised job digests matched to your field of study.

Yes. You get 10 free credits on sign-up to use on AI CV checks and cover letters. All other tools — job matching, budgeting, application tracking, rejection logging — are free with no credit card required.

How does the AI CV Checker work?

Upload your CV and paste a job description. The AI analyses your CV against the role requirements, gives you an ATS compatibility score out of 100, and tells you exactly what keywords and formatting changes to make — helping you pass automated screening systems used by graduate recruiters.

How many jobs should I apply for as a graduate?

Graduates typically need to send between 20 and 50 applications to land a role, with top graduate schemes receiving an average of 58 applications per vacancy. Focus on quality over quantity — tailor each CV and cover letter to the role rather than spamming the same application everywhere.

How long does it take to get a graduate job?

Most graduates take between 3 and 6 months to land their first graduate role, though it varies by sector. Consulting, tech, and investment banking tend to have faster hiring cycles. Larger graduate schemes can take 4-6 months from application to offer.

What is the average graduate salary for 2026?

Graduate salaries vary widely by country, sector and region. Investment banking, law and tech tend to pay the highest, while public sector and charity roles typically start lower. Salaries in major cities usually sit above the national average — check local salary guides for figures relevant to your market.

How do I write a graduate CV with no work experience?

Focus on transferable skills from your degree — research projects, group assignments, presentations, and coursework. Include volunteering, society memberships, part-time jobs, and any placements or internships. Use Padgrad's CV Builder to structure your CV for ATS systems, then run it through the AI CV Checker to see how it scores.

How are jobs matched to my degree on padgrad?

We scrape thousands of graduate jobs daily and match them to over 300 specific degree fields. Whether you studied Biology, Law, Engineering, Psychology, or History — we only show you roles that fit your subject area and send them straight to your daily digest.

Do graduate schemes pay well?

Graduate schemes typically pay a competitive starting salary, with some industries paying significantly more. Law firms and investment banks often pay the most. Most schemes also offer benefits like bonuses, pension contributions, and professional qualification sponsorship — check each employer's offer for the specifics.

How many applications does it take to get a graduate job?

Research shows top employers receive an average of 58 applications per graduate vacancy. Most successful graduates send 20-40 tailored applications before receiving an offer. Track every application using Padgrad's Application Tracker to spot which types of roles you progress furthest in.

Can I apply for graduate jobs before I graduate?

Yes — most large graduate schemes open applications 6-12 months before the role starts, so you should apply in your final year. Smaller companies and direct-entry roles tend to hire closer to the start date. Padgrad's daily job digest includes both graduate schemes and entry-level roles you can apply for straight away.

What should a graduate CV include?

A strong graduate CV should include: your degree with predicted or achieved grade, relevant modules and dissertation topic, transferable skills (research, teamwork, communication), part-time work or volunteering, technical skills and software proficiency, and a personal profile. Most recruiters spend under 10 seconds scanning a CV — use Padgrad's AI CV Checker to make sure yours passes the six-second test.

Teaching graduate jobs in 2026: compare starting pay across four markets, learn the routes into teaching, and start your application on Padgrad today.

Teaching Graduate Jobs 2026: Routes, Pay and How to Start

If you are searching for teaching graduate jobs, you are not alone. Schools around the world need qualified staff, and many graduates find that teaching offers purpose, stability and a clear path. This guide covers the routes, the pay and the first steps for 2026.

Teaching is one of the few careers where demand is rising in most markets. In the UK, qualified teachers start on at least £32,916 a year. In Kenya, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) plans to hire 16,000 teachers in 2026. In Uganda, the ministry plans 3,000 new posts, with science teachers in highest demand. In the Philippines, DepEd recruited 20,000 more teachers in 2025.

TL;DR

Teaching offers stable graduate jobs with clear pay scales in most markets.
Shortage subjects like maths and science can mean higher pay and training bonuses.
You usually need a teaching qualification on top of your degree.
Demand is strong in the UK, Kenya, Uganda and the Philippines.

Why Graduates Choose Teaching

Teaching is not a fallback career. It is a skilled profession with real job security. Once you qualify, you can work in your own country or abroad. Many international schools hire qualified teachers quickly.

Teachers also report high job satisfaction. You see the results of your work every day. You build skills in communication, planning and leadership that transfer to any career.

Teaching Graduate Jobs: What You Can Earn

Pay varies by country and school type. The table below shows starting pay for new teachers in 2026, using official sources from each market.

Market	Starting pay for new teachers
UK (England)	At least £32,916 a year for qualified teachers.
Kenya	Roughly KSh 44,000 to KSh 57,000 a month at the C3 grade.
Uganda	Government pay for arts teachers rose by 25% in 2026.
Philippines	Teacher I starts at about PHP 27,000 a month.

These figures come from public bodies. In the UK, the Department for Education sets the minimum salary. In Kenya, the TSC sets the C3 scale. In Uganda, the Ministry of Education confirmed the 2026 pay rise. In the Philippines, DepEd publishes the salary grades.

The Routes into Teaching

You cannot walk into a classroom with any degree. You need a teaching qualification, and the route depends on your country.

In the UK, most graduates take a one-year teacher training course that leads to qualified teacher status (QTS).
In Kenya, you apply to the TSC after completing your education degree or diploma.
In Uganda, graduates join the education service after training and registration.
In the Philippines, you must pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

Shortage Subjects Pay More

Some subjects have bigger shortages than others. Maths, physics, chemistry and computing are in high demand almost everywhere. In the UK, trainees in these subjects can get tax-free bursaries of up to £29,000 while they train. In Uganda, the 2026 recruitment targets 1,842 science teachers against 1,158 arts teachers, which shows where the need is greatest.

Fast-Track and Working Routes

Some countries offer faster paths for graduates. In the UK, you can train while working through a salaried route or a teaching apprenticeship. In the Philippines, some regions run faster hiring drives. Always check the official education body in your country for the current options.

Skills That Make a Strong Teacher

Qualifications open the door. Skills get you the job. Schools look for these five things in new teachers:

Clear communication, so you explain ideas simply and listen well.
Classroom control, so you keep students focused and calm.
Planning, so you prepare lessons that fit the curriculum.
Patience, so you handle slow days without losing your cool.
Resilience, so you cope with feedback and keep improving.

How to Apply for Teaching Jobs

The application process is similar to other graduate roles. You need a strong CV, a clear cover letter and real interview practice. Start with your country's official recruitment portal, then work through these steps:

Build a CV that shows your degree, any school experience and transferable skills. Our AI CV checker can review it before you apply.
Prepare for competency questions, such as "how would you handle a difficult student?" Our graduate interview question guide gives you the practice you need.
Expect a teaching demo or a lesson task as part of many interviews.

Teaching is a public sector career, so our guide to public sector graduate jobs is worth a read. Once you land the role, our tips for your first 90 days will help you settle in and make a strong start.

Is Teaching Right for You?

Teaching suits graduates who enjoy working with people and want a stable career. It is not for everyone. Ask yourself these questions:

Do you enjoy explaining things to others?
Can you stay calm under pressure?
Are you willing to study for a teaching qualification first?
Do you want a job with purpose and job security?

If you answered yes to most of these, teaching deserves serious thought.

Start Your Teaching Job Search Today

Teaching graduate jobs open all year round, but many applications close months before the new school year. Start early. Research the route in your country, check the pay and build your CV now.

Padgrad matches your CV to real graduate jobs and checks your application before you send it. Find roles on the best graduate job websites, then create your free account and start today.

By Ori