While some countries and roles require you to have at least a bachelor's degree, it's definitely possible to teach English abroad without one. The best way to get started teaching without a degree is making sure you get a properly accredited TEFL certification - which is much cheaper and faster to obtain than a bachelor’s degree!

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about teaching English abroad without a degree, and be on the road to finding work as an English teacher in no time, whether you’ve graduated from university or not!

How to teach English abroad without a degree (step-by-step guide)

From getting started with your TEFL certifications to applying for jobs, here’s a straightforward overview of how to get started teaching English abroad without a degree.

• Step 1: Complete an accredited 120-hour TEFL course. This is the bare minimum requirement for teaching English abroad, and is pretty much a non-negotiable when you don’t have a degree. Likewise, you’ll need a professional-level TEFL certification even if you have been to college.
• Step 2: Identify countries where a degree is not a visa requirement. While it might not be possible to teach English in the most popular places like Spain and China without a degree, other locations like Latin America, Cambodia, Nepal, Jordan, and Lebanon will generally accept teachers without ever having been a university student.
• Step 3: Build supporting credentials to help boost your CV. This can include volunteer teaching, classroom observation hours, an Advanced TEFL course, or specialising in a specific field like business English.
• Step 4: Apply for jobs and prepare for visa requirements well in advance. You’ll need to gather your TEFL certificate, passport, background check, references, and potentially more documents before you can begin the application process.
• Step 5: Consider alternative routes if you want a degree-required country. It can be possible to teach English in a country that typically requires a degree by obtaining a working holiday visa, taking on internships, or joining a volunteer programme.
• Step 6: Use online teaching as a flexible backup or starting point. Many English teachers utilise online teaching platforms to gain experience before jumping to in-person roles.

Can you teach English abroad without a degree?

Yes, you can teach English abroad without a university degree.

With TEFL certification, you can forge a fantastic teaching career, or move on to other areas — starting your own business, working in local politics somewhere far-flung, and even interpreting.

Can I teach abroad with an associate’s degree?

While a bachelor’s degree is often what schools are looking for, having an associate’s degree can help with applications. Unfortunately, it often doesn’t satisfy visa requirements for countries that mandate a bachelor’s. Some employers are degree-flexible, and having an associate’s is a positive signal of commitment that indicates you’ll be a dedicated teacher.

Best countries to teach English without a degree

From the jungles of Peru to Cambodia’s ancient temples, these are the best countries to teach English without a degree.

• Cambodia — Cambodia is one of the most accessible countries for TEFL teachers who don’t have a degree. General requirements are a high school diploma and a TEFL certificate. Most teachers can expect to make around $1,220 USD or £943 a month. Key cities include the capital of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Cost of living in Cambodia is low by Western standards, and there are incredible cultural sites to explore between lessons.
• Mexico — While many teaching jobs in Mexico require a degree, there are opportunities for those who don’t have one. The average salary is $760 USD or £591 per month, although some positions do include free housing or flights. There’s a high demand for business English teachers. Work visas are relatively easy to get after receiving a job offer and don’t require a degree.
• Argentina — Argentina is a growing TEFL market with plenty of job opportunities for English teachers who don’t have a degree. The cost of living in this South American country is low while the culture straddles the line between European and South American. The average salary for English teachers is around $778 USD or £604.
• Spain — It’s true that most teaching positions in Spain require a college degree, but some language assistant programmes don’t. In general, you can find a job as a teaching assistant without a degree. This is a great option for teachers who are just getting started, as you’ll gain valuable lesson planning and practical teaching experience. Salaries are higher than in many countries, with teachers making an average of $1,546 USD or £1,201.
• Costa Rica — From young students eager to learn English to business professionals, there’s a healthy amount of opportunity for TEFL teachers in Costa Rica, although immigration laws are strict. Depending on where you’re teaching, the cost of living is generally fairly low. The average salary for TEFL teachers in Costa Rica is $1,259 USD or £978.
• The Czech Republic — While employers in the Czech Republic don’t technically require a bachelor’s degree for English teaching positions, rules are getting a bit stricter and finding a position will be more difficult — but not impossible. The Czech Republic is considered a growing TEFL market with plenty of opportunities. The average salary is $1,719 USD or £1,337, one of the highest in the bunch. While the cost of living has risen dramatically in the last 10 years, teachers who opt to live in smaller towns will have plenty of money to live on.
• Peru — Like Cambodia, it’s more straightforward to teach English in Peru if you don’t have a degree. The average salary for English teachers in Peru is around $636 USD or £480 for basic foreign language schools and around $1,500 USD or £1,114 at international and private language schools, although most require a degree. Cost of living in Peru is generally low, and there are endless incredible cities to discover, from glittering Lima to historic Cusco.

Where can you teach English without a degree?

Fortunately, there is a range of fantastic options for teaching English abroad without a degree. Though some of the most popular choices like Japan, France, Spain, and the UAE all require a university qualification, it doesn’t mean the door is closed, and there are plenty of exciting TEFL destinations that don’t require a degree.

Here’s our guide to where you can and can’t teach without a degree:

From Czechia to Peru, here are some examples of country requirements for teaching English without a degree around the world.

Europe

Other countries with more hardline immigration policies require a degree to obtain a work visa. France and Greece, for example, ask prospective entrants for degree certification.

However, most European countries do not have this requirement. TEFL certification and prior teaching experience might be enough to land a job in the majority of places. Emerging TEFL markets in Europe include Czechia, where demand for native English speakers is growing.

Central and South America

Central and South America is a great place to get started teaching English, if not just for the various cultures, ecologies and landscapes, then for its more lenient work visa regulations. Demand for English teachers has been steadily increasing in this part of the world, particularly in areas such as Business English.

In Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia and more, you don’t need to hold a bachelor’s degree to teach English. Normally, a 120-hour TEFL qualification will do the trick.

In Chile, things are a bit different, with degrees being preferred more often than not for TEFL jobs. However, every role is different; don’t rule either out entirely, especially with teaching programmes and other types of visa available.

Oftentimes, Latin American countries also don’t require that English teachers be native speakers, which means it is possible to teach English as a non-native speaker, although you may have to prove English proficiency.

Asia

It’s a bit more limited for TEFL teachers without a degree in Asia, as Nepal and Cambodia are the only nations that don’t require a BA degree for a working visa.

However, Cambodia is a real bright spot — it’s quickly becoming one of the more popular destinations for TEFL teachers. Considering the high demand for teachers, incredible culture, and opportunities for travel across Southeast Asia, it’s not hard to see why Cambodia is so attractive.

Middle East & Africa

Unfortunately, like most of Asia, the Middle East and Africa are similarly strict when it comes to TEFL teachers needing a degree.

Destinations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar all require degree certificates for a working visa. However, Jordan and Lebanon, both interesting TEFL destinations, do not strictly require a degree.

Online

Want to teach English without a degree but don’t necessarily want to move abroad? The answer is simple — teach online! In fact, teaching English online is one of the most accessible ways to get started without a degree.

Several English teaching platforms don’t require a bachelor’s, including Cambly, Preply, and iTalki. Most private tutoring and business English platforms are also flexible around a degree requirement, although some students might prefer it. For private tutoring platforms like Preply, the right qualifications often matter more than a degree.

While China used to be the largest online K-12 English teaching market, it’s effectively closed to foreign teachers following the “Double Reduction” policy that rolled out in 2021.

Alternative options for teaching abroad without a degree

There are a few other options that can be explored for non-degree holders. These aren’t viable long-term options, but if you’re dead-set on teaching in a particular country, then they’re worth looking into.

Working holiday visas

There are strict requirements and regulations concerning Working Holiday Visas. First, you’ll need to establish the countries your own is partnered with. Next, you have to find out if you’re eligible — there are usually restrictions based on age and other factors. Finally, you’ll need to do your research to find out if you’re allowed to teach English on the visa — countries will typically outline the sort of work you can and can’t do on a working holiday visa.

Volunteering

Volunteering doesn’t usually require a degree, so it can be a great way of teaching abroad and giving something back at the same time. It’s possible to find schemes that operate in countries where a degree is otherwise required, such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, as well as in many countries in South America, Africa, and in parts of Europe. European summer camps are also a great way to gain experience with children in a foreign country.

Short programmes and internships

There are some short programmes and internships that offer the opportunity to teach English in countries around the world without a degree for a period of, typically, up to 6 months. Many will include accommodation, meals, a stipend, and in-country support, so it can be a good way of getting some initial TEFL experience. You will likely need to pay for the cost of the programme, visas, and flights before heading out, so there are some major costs to take into account.

Programmes like Maximo Nivel also offer a TEFL certification programme where you can get your accreditation and start teaching in countries like Guatemala and Costa Rica. Likewise, MEF World in China is another programme that offers TEFL accreditation and placement in a Chinese kindergarten.

5 tips for finding a TEFL job without a degree

So, now you have a better idea of where you can TEFL without a degree! That’s all fine and well, but what about landing that first job, and maintaining a TEFL career abroad?

Luckily, we’ve come equipped with some excellent advice to keep you on the straight and narrow. Some of it’s common sense, but a lot of it is the knowledge that’s been imparted to us from previous ESL teachers, who have been there!

Without further ado, here are our top 5 tips to help you land a great job!

1. Get TEFL qualified

2. Do your research

Don’t waste time trying to apply for ESL jobs in countries where you don’t meet the work visa requirements. Work out where you want to teach, check you meet the visa requirements, and focus your job search where you do.

3. Be flexible and patient

It may take slightly longer to line up a teaching job, but if you’re patient, put in the time and effort with job hunting and are flexible in where you are willing to teach, you should have no problem finding a suitable position. Our TEFL Jobs Centre is updated regularly with new and exciting positions all over the world and all our students get lifetime access to it.

4. Boost your CV

Make yourself a more competitive candidate with further qualifications, such as an Advanced TEFL course, or by gaining work experience through volunteering at home or abroad. You want to stand out — especially against other candidates who might have a degree — so going the extra mile will help you find work more easily. It’s also a good idea to highlight your TEFL credentials on LinkedIn and think about creating a demo video, both of which have become more relevant in recent years.

5. Watch out for dodgy employers/recruiters

There’s a huge demand for teachers in Asia, particularly China. If you need a degree to get a work visa and an employer or recruiter is offering you a job, then this will be illegal and not a situation we advise anyone to put themselves in. We have some useful tips for avoiding TEFL scams and bad employers, which is essential reading for anyone looking for their first TEFL job.

Ready to teach English abroad without a degree?

There are so many ways to kick off your career as an English teacher! From how to get started with a step-by-step guide to challenges you might face, this is the ultimate guide to teaching English abroad without a degree. Take the first step by signing up for a 120-hour TEFL course.