Most in demand teaching subjects

What kind of subjects are more in demand and give you a higher chance of getting a job? I am thinking of doing a biochemistry degree. Is the pay higher for maths/science subjects?

Reply 1

Muttley79

Original post by amybum

What kind of subjects are more in demand and give you a higher chance of getting a job? I am thinking of doing a biochemistry degree. Is the pay higher for maths/science subjects?

Pay isn't higher but you may find it easier to choose a good school :smile:

Shortage subjects tend to be Maths and Physics then Chemistry.

Reply 2

Mr M

Study Forum Helper

Original post by amybum

What kind of subjects are more in demand and give you a higher chance of getting a job? I am thinking of doing a biochemistry degree. Is the pay higher for maths/science subjects?

Some chemistry specialists may successfully negotiate to start on a higher point on the main pay scale. This is less likely for biologists.

The most in demand subjects are mathematics, science and computer science. Physicists are rarer than chemists and biologists are relatively plentiful. Nearly all secondary teachers of science teach all sciences at KS3 and KS4.

Reply 3

Get into Teaching

Official Rep

Hi @amybum ,
the subjects the most in demand are the STEM subjects- maths, chemistry, biology, physics, computing- and MFL. This is reflected in the teacher training bursaries on offer. As stated in this thread, phycists are the rarest followed by chemistry in science. You will train as a science teacher and expected to teach general science at Key stage 3 and sometimes key Stage 4- depending on the school. Your specialism will kick in at Key stage 4 and of course Key Stage 5.
You are unlikely to be paid higher than other subject teachers- however, you will have a wider choice of schools to apply to as these subjects are very much in demand. There is currently a repayment student debt scheme for teachers of Biology, Physics and Chemistry- depending of where you end up teaching- it is a good financial incentive as well as early career payments for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th years of your career ( £6000 in total tax-free) so you do get a bit of a pay boost in the early years of your career.

Laure

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 4

Muttley79

Original post by Get into Teaching

Hi @Muttley79,
the subjects the most in demand are the STEM subjects- maths, chemistry, biology, physics, computing- and MFL. This is reflected in the teacher training bursaries on offer. As stated in this thread, phycists are the rarest followed by chemistry in science. You will train as a science teacher and expected to teach general science at Key stage 3 and sometimes key Stage 4- depending on the school. Your specialism will kick in at Key stage 4 and of course Key Stage 5.
You are unlikely to be paid higher than other subject teachers- however, you will have a wider choice of schools to apply to as these subjects are very much in demand. There is currently a repayment student debt scheme for teachers of Biology, Physics and Chemistry- depending of where you end up teaching- it is a good financial incentive as well as early career payments for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th years of your career ( £6000 in total tax-free) so you do get a bit of a pay boost in the early years of your career.

Laure

You are tagging the wrong poster :smile:

I teach Maths already

Reply 5

L-K

Original post by amybum

What kind of subjects are more in demand and give you a higher chance of getting a job? I am thinking of doing a biochemistry degree. Is the pay higher for maths/science subjects?

Physics is certainly the most in demand STEM subject, as others have said.
If you're not fussy with location or school you'll find it easy to get a job as a science teacher e.g if you are willing to relocate and don't care about Ofsted reports and exam results. If you want to work in a particular area, or town, or at a particular type of school, then competition may be fierce.

Reply 6

Get into Teaching

Official Rep

Original post by Muttley79

You are tagging the wrong poster :smile:

I teach Maths already

Thanks for this- @Muttley79-corrected! Sorry about this. Laure

Reply 7

SarcAndSpark

Original post by amybum

What kind of subjects are more in demand and give you a higher chance of getting a job? I am thinking of doing a biochemistry degree. Is the pay higher for maths/science subjects?

Maths and science, especially physics, are in high demand, but it's still reasonably easy to get a job with any science degree- as long as you don't only want to teach biology (to be fair, these days you are expected to teach all three at KS3 at least regardless of specialism).

However, pay will usually be the same regardless of specialism. Physics/chemistry will get you a bigger training bursary, and maths will get you early career retention payments. I have heard of maths teachers negotiating to start on M2, but this will be very dependent on school/area of the country and you shouldn't count on it!

ETA: it's worth bearing in mind that you still need to interview well, though. I got my current job over a physics specialist, even though I'm a biologist.