The start of a new series of FAQ for people at various stages of their careers. Comments and further questions gratefully accepted, as I’ll be writing a proper article on the topic sooner or later.

Can I get on a TEFL course without a degree?

Most TEFL qualifications are theoretically open to people with the equivalent of A levels/ a high school leaving certificate, but local course providers might have higher standards, especially if it is a popular course.

Will I be able to get a job with a TEFL qualification but without a degree?

The difficulties are twofold – visa requirements and what employers and students demand. If you are flexible about location it is certainly possible, although you might even then find the employers or visa authorities become stricter later on. Things will be made easier by being a native speaker or having a very high level of English and having an EU passport, but if you want to make a proper career of TEFL you will need a degree sooner or later.

Would having a junior college degree/ vocational degree/ two-year degree help?

Very rarely. Employers tend to want a full university degree (= four degree/ bachelor’s degree) or just accept any old native speaker. There are a couple of countries where it can help with getting a visa.

The TEFL course/ employment information asks for a four year degree but my university degree only took three years. Can I still apply?

Yes. The American system has a two-year degree (= junior college degree) which contrasts with a four-degree (= university degree/ bachelor’s degree), and any full university degree counts as the latter. This wording on the website might suggest a lack of knowledge of other countries’ education systems, so you might want to explain the equivalence on your CV, in your application letter or during the interview.

Does an online degree count?

It is unlikely to put you at the top of a group of candidates with more well-respected degrees and some countries demand degrees from English-speaking countries, but otherwise it should be okay as long as it is from a proper university which doesn’t have too much negative publicity online.

I have an Advanced level of English. Will that be enough to get a job abroad?

Only working illegally, and even then you will be at the bottom of the heap.

Should I take a degree in TEFL?

Almost certainly not, but a combined degree of TEFL plus a language might be okay. See TEFL degree FAQ for more details.

Can I do TEFL as a year out?

If that is before you finish your degree, you will have the usual problems. One possibility might be a working holiday visa, e.g. in Japan or Australia.

Can I get on a TEFL certificate course before my degree results come out?

That’s usually not a problem, especially if you are certain of passing.

I have an MA but no first degree. Will that be a problem?/ I can get on a BA or MA course as a mature student. Which one will be more useful for a career in TEFL?

Perhaps because the number of dodgy MAs (online, through divinity schools etc) outnumbers the number of dodgy BAs, some employers and immigration authorities are suspicious of people having just an MA. If you have the choice, it’s probably better to take a BA first.

For more information, see TEFL Course FAQ or questions below.