UK teachers and school leaders for international schools in Turkey
We help international schools in Turkey find UK trained teachers and school leaders, and we help UK teachers thinking about a move to understand what schools look for. Our Turkey work is led by Jessica, our Lead Consultant for International Schools.
Candidates never pay us a fee. Work permit, visa, tax and Ministry of National Education (MEB) requirements are a matter for the school and the relevant authorities, and we will always point you to the right place to check.
Contact the UK team
For schools in Turkey
If your school is looking for UK trained teachers or leaders, tell us what you need. We do the searching and the conversations, and then introduce a shortlist.
UK qualified teachers
Tell us the phase, the subject and the curriculum. Schools hiring from the UK usually look for QTS or an equivalent, plus classroom experience in the UK. For a British curriculum post, we look for teachers who know the English National Curriculum well. If you teach IB, Cambridge or an American programme, just let us know and we will search with that in mind.
Heads and senior leaders
Whether you need a headteacher, a deputy, a head of phase or another senior leader, we shape the search around how your school is run. Tell us whether you are primary, secondary or both.
SEN and inclusion staff
If you need someone with inclusion or specialist experience, tell us about your pupils and the support they need, and we will make that part of the search.
Foreign teachers in Turkey need a work permit, and teachers in private schools also need a pre permit document from the Ministry of National Education (MEB). As the employer, the school leads that process. We keep the schools we work with confidential, and we do not quote salaries or individual packages.
Our team includes a Turkish speaking consultant, so if you would rather talk the brief through in Turkish, you can.
For teachers considering Turkey
If you are a UK teacher or leader thinking about Turkey (officially Türkiye), we would love to hear from you. We can talk you through what schools look for and let you know when a role comes up that suits you. Candidates never pay us a fee.
What schools usually look for
These are what schools tend to ask for rather than legal requirements, and each school sets its own.
- QTS, or an equivalent teaching qualification
- A degree in the subject or area you will teach
- Classroom experience, usually at least two years
- For a secondary post, a subject that matches what the school needs
- For a British curriculum school, experience of the English National Curriculum
- For a head or senior leader post, experience of leading people in a school
Work permits and MEB approval
To work in Turkey you need a work permit. If you apply from the UK, you start the application at a Turkish embassy or consulate, and your employer completes its part of the application online. Work permits are issued by Turkey's Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
Teachers in private schools also need a pre permit document from the Ministry of National Education (MEB) before the work permit can go ahead. The school applies for it. Under the current MEB regulation, the documents usually include your degree certificate, recognition of your university by Turkey's Council of Higher Education (YÖK), official proof of your teaching experience in your subject, and, for an international school, proof that you can teach in that kind of school in the country whose programme it follows. Documents usually need a certified Turkish translation and an apostille.
Rules can change, so check the latest with the school and the Turkish authorities before you make firm plans. We are happy to point you in the right direction, but we cannot advise on your personal visa, permit or tax position.
Read the latest FCDO travel advice for Turkey before you travel.
Where international schools are in Turkey
Most international schools are in the big cities. Istanbul has the widest choice, Ankara (the capital) and Izmir have plenty too, and there are schools in other cities such as Antalya and Bursa.
If you are a school, tell us the city and campus. A teacher who has their heart set on Istanbul may not be looking at Ankara or Antalya, so we match people to places they will be happy in. Teachers can tell us which cities they would consider when they get in touch.
Curricula in Turkish international schools
Schools in Turkey teach a range of programmes, and some combine more than one.
- International Baccalaureate (IB). The Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme are all offered in Turkey, in private schools and in some state schools.
- British and English National Curriculum. Some international schools teach a version of the English National Curriculum adapted for international pupils, often leading to IGCSE.
- Cambridge. Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and AS and A level are offered by registered Cambridge schools in Turkey.
- American. Some schools follow American programmes or hold American accreditation.
Under Turkish law, international private schools are for pupils who hold a foreign nationality. Many Turkish private schools also teach IB or Cambridge programmes alongside the Turkish national programme. The two kinds of school hire for different roles, so let us know which kind you are.
How it works
Brief
You tell us the city, the role, the phase or subject, and the curriculum.
Search
We look for UK trained teachers and leaders who suit the role and would genuinely enjoy working in Turkey.
Shortlist
We introduce candidates we have spoken to properly and help you set up interviews.
Appointment
You and your chosen candidate agree the offer. The school then runs its own checks and leads the MEB pre permit and work permit applications, and we keep in touch with both sides along the way.
Safeguarding
In the UK, we follow safer recruitment practice and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026. Where a candidate holds a UK DBS, anyone we put forward has been through our safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS with a children's barred list check, and references.
Schools in Turkey carry out their own safeguarding checks, and the Turkish authorities set the rules for permits. If you are a school, let us know early which documents you will need, so candidates can start gathering them.
FAQs
Does GAC Education recruit for schools in Turkey?
Yes. We help international schools in Turkey find UK trained teachers and school leaders, and we support UK teachers who are thinking about a move. Schools can start by telling us the city, the role and the curriculum.
Do candidates pay a fee?
No. We never charge candidates a fee.
Do foreign teachers need a work permit in Turkey?
Yes. Work permits are issued by Turkey's Ministry of Labour and Social Security. From the UK, you apply through a Turkish embassy or consulate, and your employer completes its part online. Rules can change, so check the latest with the school or the Turkish authorities.
What is MEB approval for foreign teachers?
Before a work permit can go ahead, teachers in private schools need a pre permit document from the Ministry of National Education (MEB). The school applies for it, and usually asks for your degree, proof of teaching experience and certified Turkish translations. The school will tell you exactly what it needs.
Which curricula do international schools in Turkey teach?
You will find the International Baccalaureate, the English National Curriculum and Cambridge programmes including IGCSE. Some schools follow American programmes, and some combine more than one. Let us know which programme you teach, so we look for people with the right experience.
Which cities do you recruit for?
Most international schools are in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, with others in cities such as Antalya and Bursa. Tell us the city and campus, and we will look for teachers who are keen on that location.
What safeguarding checks do your candidates have?
In the UK we follow safer recruitment and KCSIE 2026. Where a candidate holds a UK DBS, anyone we put forward has an enhanced DBS with a children's barred list check, and references. Schools in Turkey also run their own checks.
Let's talk about Turkey
Schools, tell us the city, the curriculum and the role. Teachers, tell us where you would like to be. Candidates never pay us a fee.