International Alexander Technique Training: Study in the UK

Traveling from abroad?

We can help you arrange a visit to the school. Contact course director Peter Bloch to discuss travel links and local accommodation. There is more information for visitors on our Classes for the Public webpage.

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Multi-lingual support

No formal English language level is required to join our training course, although a basic knowledge of English is necessary to participate in group discussions. Our teachers and students speak fluent French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Mandarin, Urdu and Hindi (and simple Arabic, Czech and Romanian) and more, and we can usually arrange for language support during visits and for a brief period after starting training.

 

The MATTS Qualification​ is recognised worldwide

MATTS is a STAT-approved teacher training course. STAT is the main governing body for the Alexander Technique in the UK and a STAT qualification is recognised by all Affiliated Societies internationally, and together these represent the overwhelming majority of teachers in the world. Since STAT was the first representative body for the Alexander Technique and is still the most influential, where countries do not have a sufficient number of teachers to support their own professional Society, most teachers choose to become a Non-Affiliate World Teaching Member of STAT.

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Qualifying as a teacher from MATTS is through the STAT Assessment Procedure

STAT Assessment is open to students from anywhere in the world who have trained in a broad range of different ways, and allows for considerable flexibility in both the timing (full-time, part-time, gaps in training) and location(s) of training. See the Teacher Training page for more information on Assessment and Qualification.

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Obtaining a Visa to Study in the United Kingdom​

Special Visas

There are several special visas available for students from abroad, although these are intended for only a very small number of people. These visas permit you to remain in the UK for several years and also to work while you are here. Potential trainees who have qualifications from approved outstanding international educational institutions (a very short list of world-class institutions) or who have recently graduated from a UK university or other course, or who are highly skilled in certain fields, including in the arts, or who are outstanding for other reasons, can often succeed in obtaining either a UK High Potential Individual Visa, a UK Global Talent Visa or a UK Graduate Visa. There is also a UK Skilled Worker Visa, if you can find a job with an approved employer, although the list of employers is short and most such jobs would at best allow time for part-time AT training.

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Another possiblility for a long-term visa is to register at a major education institution, such as a university, college or conservatoire, for study in a subject of your choice. This usually automatically qualifies students for a UK Visa. As long as you can be free of formal classes for a few mornings each week, then you can also study with us.

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Standard 6-Month Visas

If potential trainees do not qualify for the types of visa listed above, then it is normally straightforward to obtain a 6 month visa, and this can be renewed at least once, and usually several times. People with this type of visa need to leave the UK at the end of the 6-month period and then re-apply for another visa before returning. However, because each 6-month visit can be timed to cover the equivalent of two terms of training, students can (assuming renewal of visas) complete their training over a period of about 4½ years, with some breaks in study to renew their visa. Alternatively, students can divide their training between a UK course and another training course outside the UK. This method allows the possibility of training over 3 years. There are several training courses outside the UK with which we have a strong relationship, and whose training methods and standards are very similar to our own, including (but not limited to) the courses in Amsterdam, Holland and in Graz, Austria and we would liase with them to make sure that everything went smoothly.

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Visiting MATTS

A good way to choose a place to train is to visit several possible courses. We encourage you to visit us as many times as you would like, for as long as you like, before making your decision. We are completely flexible about the timing of visits, so you are always welcome during term time. Days spent visiting training courses can usually count towards the minimum hours of formal training required to apply for Final Assessment for Teaching Membership of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique and its international affiliates.​​​

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​Moving to the Manchester area: A Guide for International Trainees

Relocating for your training is an exciting journey. To help you prepare for life at MATTS, we’ve put together this practical checklist for international students.

• Affordable Living: For international students, the UK regularly comes first in international rankings of the best countries to study abroad. Current exchange rates also favour studying in the UK over most other developed countries. London is relatively expensive, but Manchester is widely regarded as one of the most student-friendly and affordable cities in the UK. Many of our trainees choose to live in the Manchester suburbs or near to Wilmslow, where high-quality accommodation is significantly more accessible than in London. Often we can provide you with inexpensive temporary or long-term accommodation with one of our teachers or trainees.

• Global Connectivity: Manchester Airport (MAN) is a major international hub with direct flights to over 200 destinations. Our training centre in Wilmslow is located just 4 miles (6.5 km) from the airport, making international travel exceptionally convenient.

• Seamless Transport: Wilmslow is on the UK’s high-speed mainline railway. You can reach central Manchester in 15 minutes and London Euston in under two hours.

• A Welcoming Culture: Known for its diverse, creative, and friendly atmosphere, Manchester is a city where international students quickly feel at home. From world-class arts and music to beautiful local parks, there is a rich life to explore outside the training course.

• Professional Certification: Our training is STAT-approved, meets the 1,600-hour international gold standard and is recognised everywhere. We recommend checking with your home country’s Alexander Technique society (such as AmSAT in the US or GLAT in Germany) to confirm the simple reciprocal membership process for STAT graduates. If your country has too few teachers to maintain its own professional body, then STAT is the usual international membership to choose.

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Not sure where to start? Contact course director Peter Bloch to arrange a video call. We are happy to discuss logistics, visas, and how we can support your move to the UK.