If you are considering teaching in the Middle East – Dubai, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi etc- one of the first questions you will probably ask is whether your qualifications will be recognised. The good news is that teachers from the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa are in demand. However, having a university degree is not enough*. You will also need recognised teacher training.
A matter of degrees
Most international schools require a bachelor’s degree. For secondary / middle / high school teachers, this should normally be in the subject you have experience teaching. For example, if you want to teach mathematics, you will generally need a degree in mathematics or a closely related subject. Exactly what ‘closely related’ is can depend on where you are applying and how many relevant courses are on your transcript.
Primary (Elementary) teachers usually need a degree in primary education or an equivalent qualification that prepares them to teach across the primary curriculum. Note that many Ministries of Education will reject primary teachers that have a bachelors in a subject that is not taught at primary level, for example business studies, engineering or law.
Recognised teacher training
You will also need a recognised teaching qualification that matches the age group and subject you want to teach. Accepted qualifications commonly include:
- US: Full state teaching certification, rather than a provisional licence.
- UK: A PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
- Ireland, Australia and New Zealand: A recognised teaching degree and professional teacher registration.
- Canada: A Bachelor of Education (BEd) or equivalent qualification, with provincial teaching certification.
- South Africa: A recognised teaching qualification, such as a BEd or PGCE, with appropriate SACE professional registration.
Does it matter where you want to work?
Yes. Requirements vary between countries and sometimes between individual education authorities. Every country including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia each will have their own qualification and licensing requirements, and these requirements even vary by Emirates in the UAE. Oman is particularly restrictive, so it is important to check eligibility carefully before applying.
There are some exceptions. In Kuwait for instance we work with schools that can hire teachers who have experience and a matching bachelors but no teaching license, and will help the teacher get licenced while working. A win-win.
How much teaching experience do you need?
Many schools ask for at least two years of post-qualification teaching experience in the subject and level you are qualified to teach. Some will technically consider newly qualified teachers, but popular international schools have a wide choice of applicants and rarely recruit teachers straight out of training. Thus if you are not experienced, you will have a smaller choice of opportunities and will need to be more flexible in where you go initially.
Ready to take the next step?
If you have the right qualifications and some classroom experience, teaching in the Middle East could be an exciting career move. Check individual school requirements carefully and make sure your qualifications are ready for verification before applying. You can read more about finding a job in the Middle East here. The team at Edvectus can help guide you once you register.
*note: this article is focussed on Primary, Secondary, Elementary, Middle and High Schools in the Middle East. Private nurseries, further and higher education establishments, and schools that only teach English as a foreign language are governed by different rules. Also remember that rules can and do change over time.
Don’t have the right qualifications for the Middle East?
If you are a qualified/certified teacher then you might consider other regions that are more flexible such as Southeast Asia, Africa or the Far East. Europe can be flexible but applicants might face other challenges such as the requirement for an EU passport or a master’s degree.
If you have experience but no teaching license, consider Kuwait.
