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Can I teach English abroad without a degree?

The short answer

Yes — but not everywhere. Plenty of countries hire non-degree TEFL teachers (Cambodia, much of Latin America, parts of Europe, and online teaching), while the highest-paying markets — Japan, South Korea, China, the Gulf — require a bachelor's degree for the work visa itself. A recognised 120-hour TEFL certificate is the realistic baseline anywhere.

Answered by Stephen · Things to do, nomad life, LGBTQ+ travel and what's just changedReviewed by a person · still accurate as of July 2026

The degree requirement is usually about the visa, not the classroom — Japan, South Korea and China write it into work-permit law, so no school can waive it. Where the visa doesn't demand a degree, schools care far more about a solid TEFL certificate, your accent and interview, and whether you'll actually stay the school year.

Honest warnings for this industry: TEFL course pricing is theatre (permanent "90% off" countdowns are the norm — judge courses on accreditation and hours, not the fake anchor price), and paid "internship" packages at £1,000+ often sell what confident applicants get free through school-paid recruiters.

A working-holiday visa is the underrated route: it lets you teach legally in places like Japan without the sponsorship process. Check what you're eligible for, and see working holiday programs for the packaged versions.

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