Education consultants provide expert advice and support to individuals, schools and organisations to improve educational outcomes
As an education consultant, you'll use your specialist knowledge and experience to help schools, colleges, universities and other organisations improve teaching, learning and educational provision. Your work may involve:
- developing curricula
- developing policies
- identifying and addressing specialist needs
- implementing new strategies
- improving teaching and assessment practices.
Education consultants don't necessarily have direct contact with learners. You may instead advise educational organisations on addressing wider organisational and education-system challenges. You may also support teacher training and the professional development of education staff.
The work is varied, and you can work in the public sector, for a consultancy or as a freelancer. There are also opportunities for international work.
Types of education consultancy
You can work as a generalist or specialise in a particular area of education such as:
- careers advice and support
- educational partnerships and collaboration
- educational technology and digital learning
- examination preparation
- inclusion, including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
- international education
- marketing and publicity
- school and subject specialisms, including early years, primary and secondary education
- school improvement and leadership
- staff recruitment and workforce development
- teacher training and development
- teaching and learning.
What does an education consultant do?
As an education consultant, you'll typically need to:
- assess the needs of learners, educational institutions and other clients to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement
- carry out research, analyse data and review existing teaching methods, policies and practices
- develop recommendations and strategies based on research and evidence to improve teaching, learning and educational outcomes
- advise on curriculum development, assessment methods, educational policies and ways to improve how organisations work
- work with teachers, education leaders and other professionals to plan and implement improvements
- help design and develop teaching, learning and assessment materials and resources
- deliver training, workshops, coaching and professional development activities for education staff
- prepare reports and present findings, recommendations and examples of good practice to clients
- assess the impact of changes and suggest further improvements
- manage consultancy projects, including planning activities, working with clients and meeting agreed goals and deadlines.
Education consultant salaries
- Salaries for education consultants typically start at £30,000 to £40,000, depending on experience and area of specialism.
- Experienced education consultants can earn between £40,000 and £55,000.
- Senior education consultants and those with specialist expertise or strategic responsibilities may earn £55,000 to £70,000 or more.
Salaries and freelance fees vary depending on experience, specialism, location and the nature and complexity of the work.
Figures are intended as a guide only.
Education consultant working hours
Working hours vary depending on your employer, area of specialism and clients' needs. If you're employed by an organisation or consultancy, you'll generally work standard office hours, Monday to Friday, although some evening or weekend work may be required to meet deadlines or attend events.
If you're self-employed or freelance, you may have more flexibility over your hours and the projects you take on. However, you may need to work outside normal office hours to accommodate clients' schedules or meet project deadlines.
How do I become an education consultant?
There is no single qualification route into education consultancy. Many education consultants have a degree or relevant professional qualification, but experience and expertise in your chosen area are particularly important.
Education consultants come from a variety of backgrounds. Many have experience in teaching or educational leadership and may have previously worked as teachers, deputy or headteachers, lecturers, inspectors, education advisers or local authority officers. Find out more about how to become a teacher.
However, a teaching qualification isn't always essential, and consultants may also come from backgrounds such as:
- business
- educational psychology
- education policy and research
- educational technology
- human resources
- project management
- training.
Degrees and experience in the following subjects may be particularly useful:
- business
- computer science
- early childhood studies
- education
- human resources
- psychology
- social sciences.
Some education consultants undertake postgraduate study, such as a Masters degree in education or a related subject, to further develop their specialist knowledge. Search postgraduate courses in education.
Those from other professional backgrounds may also hold postgraduate qualifications in their own areas of expertise.
What skills does an education consultant need?
You'll need:
- analytical and research skills to evaluate information, interpret data and identify areas for improvement
- communication and presentation skills to explain ideas, present findings and make recommendations to clients
- critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess challenges and develop practical solutions
- interpersonal and relationship-building skills to work effectively with clients and other education professionals
- professional integrity and sound judgement to provide impartial advice, maintain confidentiality and act in clients' and learners' interests
- project management and organisational skills to plan and coordinate consultancy projects, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
- teamworking and independent working skills to collaborate with others while managing your own workload.
Do you need education work experience?
Education consultancy is usually a career you move into after gaining relevant professional experience, rather than a role you enter directly after graduating.
You'll need a good understanding of the current education landscape. Teaching experience can help you gain first-hand insight into how the education system works, the challenges it faces and where improvements can be made.
Experience in business, educational technology, management, research, policy or project work can also be useful, depending on your chosen area of consultancy.
If you're interested in this career, you can start gaining relevant experience through:
- voluntary work in schools, colleges or education charities
- work as a teaching assistant or learning mentor
- private tutoring
- volunteering as a school governor or academy trustee.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Who employs education consultants?
Education consultants can work for a range of organisations, including:
- education consultancies
- education charities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international development organisations
- local authorities and other public sector organisations
- schools, academy trusts, further education colleges and universities.
Many education consultants also work independently as freelancers or run their own consultancy businesses, providing specialist advice and support to clients on a project or contract basis. Find out more about self-employment.
Clients may include schools, colleges, universities, local authorities, government bodies and other organisations involved in education.
Look for job vacancies at:
- CharityJob
- GPE (Global Partnership for Education) - international education consultancy opportunities.
- jobs.ac.uk - for jobs in universities and research institutions.
- LG Jobs - and local council websites.
- tes jobs
Jobs are also advertised on LinkedIn, education consultancy websites and in the national press.
The Society of Education Consultants (SEC) circulates consultancy opportunities to its members. Members can also promote their services through the Society's online Consultant Register.
Where can a career in education consultancy lead?
As you gain experience as an education consultant, you may choose to specialise further in areas such as:
- educational technology
- inclusion
- school improvement
- teacher training
- teaching and learning.
There are opportunities to move into a senior or principal consultant role, taking responsibility for larger projects, leading teams or providing strategic advice. Other opportunities include moving into education leadership or management roles.
You may also decide to set up your own education consultancy business or work independently as a freelance consultant. Your experience may also lead to careers in related areas, such as education policy, research, training or careers guidance, or allow you to return to teaching or educational leadership.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is important for keeping up to date with changes in education and your area of specialism. Membership of the SEC provides opportunities to learn from other consultants, access professional resources and develop your network. Members are expected to follow the Society's Code of Practice, which sets standards for professional conduct and the quality of their work.