International Teaching Qualification: What Do You Need to Teach at an International School?

If you’re considering teaching internationally, understanding what international teaching qualifications you need to work in different countries is essential.

Requirements vary by country and institution, but there are some common benchmarks that most international schools look for.

Let’s look at the minimum qualifications you need versus what makes you a competitive candidate in today’s international school market.

Minimum International Teaching Qualification Required

While every school has its own criteria, most international schools expect candidates to have at least:

• A Bachelor’s degree — Usually in education or the subject you plan to teach.
• A recognised teaching qualification / license — Such as a B.Ed, PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education  with QTS), state/provincial license, or equivalent.
• Teaching experience — At least 1–2 years in a formal classroom setting (student teaching alone is rarely enough at international schools).
• English proficiency — Strong English skills, both written and spoken. Some countries require proof of proficiency if you’re not a native English speaker – which presents another hurdle to jump through during the recruitment process.

Competitive Qualifications

To stand out — and to secure a teaching job at some of the most reputable schools in attractive locations — you’ll need more than the basics. Competitive candidates often bring:

• A Master’s degree (e.g. in educational leadership) — Increasingly preferred, especially for leadership roles (department heads, coordinators, deputy and principals) or for teaching in high-demand locations.
• International curriculum experience — Schools using the IB, Cambridge IGCSE/A Levels (typically seen in British international school systems), or US AP programs often look for teachers who have taught these before. IB workshops or curriculum training certificates are also highly regarded.
• Relevant subject expertise — For secondary teachers, having your degree in the subject you teach is a strong advantage (and needed for some countries for visa purposes).
• Proven classroom success — Evidence of results, innovation, and strong references matter just as much as qualifications for many schools.

PGCE, QTS, IB and Other Key Credentials

• PGCE — A postgraduate teacher training qualification from the UK. A PGCE with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) is much stronger than a PGCE alone.
• QTS — Official UK recognition as a qualified teacher. Highly portable and valued at many international schools.
• IB Training — While not always required, IB workshops and experience with PYP, MYP, or DP make candidates far more attractive.
• Other Systems — Experience with AP, IGCSE, or Cambridge A Levels can set you apart if you’re applying to schools running those curricula.
• Global Credentials — Most countries have their own licensure that are recognised internationally (be sure to maintain registration if needed which for some countries needs to be renewed annually):
  • United States: A state teaching license (such as from California, New York, or Texas) is considered equivalent to QTS in international schools.
  • Canada: Provincial certification (e.g., Ontario College of Teachers, BC Teachers’ Council) is widely respected.
  • Australia/New Zealand: Registration with your state (e.g. Queensland College of Teachers) is recognised at many international schools.

Perceptions and Bias in Hiring

While most international schools officially require a teaching license (e.g., QTS, PGCE, state licensure), the reality is that bias often creeps into hiring decisions. In particular:

• British Schools: Many still carry a preference for candidates who “look good on paper” to parents — graduates of Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, or with a PGCE from a well-known UK institution. This can be as much about marketing value as teaching ability, since parents like to see prestigious names linked to their child’s education.
• American Curriculum Schools: Some place more weight on whether you’ve taught AP or Common Core than on your actual teaching track record.
• IB Schools: Schools often prefer candidates who already have IB training or experience, even though strong teachers can usually adapt quickly with the right professional development. If IB schools are hard to come by in your home country, consider becoming an IB examiner beforehand to get you some experience and show your enthusiasm.

The challenge? Prestige doesn’t always equal quality. A CV stacked with brand-name qualifications may reassure parents, but it doesn’t guarantee classroom excellence. In fact, in our experience, it’s sometimes the complete opposite. Which is not only disappointing for schools, but even worse – bad for student learning and outcomes.

Experienced (and quality) international families and administrators know this — but at schools competing for enrolments, parent demand can unfortunately heavily influence hiring decisions.

Minimum vs. Competitive: A Snapshot of International Teaching Qualifications

Minimum to Get Hired	Competitive for Top Schools
Bachelor’s degree + teaching license	Master’s degree + teaching license + leadership potential
1–2 years of classroom teaching	3–5+ years, ideally in international schools
No international curriculum experience	Proven IB / AP / IGCSE curriculum experience
Strong English proficiency	Strong English + experience supporting multilingual classrooms

Common Misconceptions About International Teaching Qualifications

“Do I need a PGCE to teach abroad?”
Not you don’t need a PGCE to teach abroad, but you do need a recognised teaching qualification. In the UK, that’s a PGCE + QTS. For the US, it’s a state teaching license. While in Canada or Australia, it’s teacher registration. The important part is having a credential that’s portable and accepted internationally.

“Can I teach at an international school with just TEFL or CELTA?”
No, you can’t teach at an international school with just TEFL or CELTA. While these are both excellent qualifications for teaching English as a foreign language, they don’t replace a formal teaching license. International schools expect licensed teachers; TEFL alone is typically only accepted in language schools, not international schools.

“Do I need a Master’s degree?”
No, you don’t need a master’s degree to teach internationally. You can begin teaching abroad with a Bachelor’s degree + teaching license. But more and more schools (especially reputable ones and for leadership roles) prefer candidates with a Master’s in Education or in a subject area. Having one can make you significantly more competitive (some senior leadership roles we’ve seen lately are even asking for Doctorate’s).

“Is an iPGCE enough?”
Sometimes an iPGCE (International PGCE) is recognised as an international teaching qualification. They’re accepted by some international schools but for others — and some visa authorities — they’re not enough to secure you a job (and visa). If you’re considering an iPGCE, check whether your target schools or countries accept it.

The Bottom Line: International Teaching Qualification

To work at an international school you’ll need at least a degree, a teaching qualification, and some classroom experience. But as the international school sector grows more competitive, schools — especially those with strong reputations — increasingly look for candidates with extensive classroom experience, aligned values/philosophy, a Master’s degree and curriculum-specific experience.

If you’re early in your career, start by building solid classroom experience and securing your teaching license. Over time, consider a Master’s and additional curriculum training to keep yourself in demand and open doors to the best opportunities abroad.