in this post I’m going to tackle the question of teaching English in China without a degree. Lot’s of people are wondering whether it’s legal or even possible to get a teaching job in China without a bachelor’s degree. So, let’s talk about it.
Back in 2014, I set off to China to teach English. I worked in Beijing for about two and a half years teaching English and studying Mandarin Chinese. It was an amazing experience.
People often ask me if they can go to China and teach there without a college degree. The answer to that question is: It’s complicated.
Let me explain…
In order to work full-time in China, you need a working visa, called a ‘Z visa’ and in order to obtain a Z visa, you need a degree. So, you see, to teach English in China, a degree is not necessarily a job requirement, but it is a visa requirement.
The specific requirements for teaching FULL-TIME in China are as follows:
- A university degree (in any subject)
- Native English speaker
- a TEFL certificate OR 2 years teaching experience.
If you still need to get your TEFL/TESOL certification, then check out this post where we review the best online TEFL certification for China 2020.
If you need more information regarding applying for the Z visa then please check out this helpful article from ESL Authority.
If you decide to go teach English in China on any visa other than a Z visa, you will be working illegally and risk deportation, hefty fines, and, possibly, jail time.
If you need advice on how to find a teaching job in China, then check out this guide.
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Did the school you applied to say you don’t need a degree?
You have to understand that China is a massive country, with a massive population, most of whom want their children to learn English. Because of this, there is a huge demand for English teachers in China. That’s why recruiters and schools will often say anything to get you over there.
Recruiters and schools will often tell you to come over on a tourist (L) visa or a business (M) visa. Be careful, these visas do not permit you to work in China. Again, the only visa you’re allowed to work on is the working (Z) visa.
This is pretty risky for the schools
The schools offering to employ teachers on L and M visas operate under the assumption that it’s extremely unlikely that they/you will get caught. They are right. Unless police or immigration show up at your school unannounced and ask to see your papers, there’s no reason you should get caught.
That doesn’t mean you should risk it, though.
There are often cases of illegal teachers being caught in China. Police will stage random raids to try to catch illegal workers. It happens and it’s no joke.
Teaching English in China Without a Degree – How to Do it Legally
If you do not have a college degree and you’re desperate to go over to China and teach English then you’ll be pleased to know that there IS a way to do it legally.
While you won’t be able to work as a full-time teacher, you can do an internship.
In China, it’s perfectly legal to work as an intern on a student (X) visa and this is the only legal way to teach English in China without a degree.
There are a few agencies in China that run internship programs. Currently, with the COVID-19 situation, foreigners aren’t able to enter China. If you would like to teach English in China, consider waiting until the situation has improved, or begin teaching online now!
The requirements for a teaching internship are:
- Native OR fluent English speaker
- High-school Graduate
- Over 18 years old
Of course, there are pros and cons to doing a teaching internship. For one thing, X visas are generally only valid for six months and secondly, you won’t get paid very much.
However, if you don’t have a degree yet and going to teach English in China is your dream, then doing an internship is a great option!
As an intern, you’ll gain valuable experience in the world of teaching English, you’ll make enough money to live and maybe save a little too (depending on where you are) and there’s always the possibility of extending your visa for a further six months!
I hope you found this post helpful. If you have any questions about teaching English in China with or without a degree then post a comment below and I’ll be sure to respond!
Still not sure if teaching English in China is right for you? Read this article next!
Communication in China
Learning even just a little bit of Chinese can greatly help on your quest to move to China and teach English! Depending on where you end up, it’s likely there won’t be very many people who speak English. That’s why we wrote this detailed guide on learning Chinese.
If you’re just looking for resources to help you learn Chinese quickly then click here for our detailed resource library.
If you’re interested in teaching English online, you’ll need a TEFL certificate first. Check out this post for our pick for the best online TEFL course for 2020. Or, click the banner below to be taken to the sign-up page.
Read More:
ESL Jobs in China – What Kind of Job Can I Get Teaching English?
Find out what kind of ESL jobs are available for English teachers in China…
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Here are some of the best Chinese TV shows to watch to rapidly improve your Mandarin…
Why Learn Mandarin Chinese? The REAL Reasons
Find out the REAL reasons why you should start learning Mandarin Chinese right now!
My wife is from China we are moving over there in a couple months. My wife’s parents are very wealthy and have multiple homes that they are going to let us live in. While there I understand I can get a resident permit will this be good enough for me to teach in China without causing too many problems? My wife’s mother is very high up in the government I may be able to pull some strings I don’t want to do anything that’s too illegal. What is your advice I know I can get my residence permit because I’m married to a Chinese citizen what would you suggest?
Hey Jacob,
So sorry for the late reply!
Congratulations on your upcoming move to China, that’s awesome.
So, yeah. Seeing as you’re married to a Chinese national, you’ll be able to get a spousal visa – I believe they are valid for 6m/1y initially and can be easily extended. This is is a residence visa yes, but I believe it does not permit you to work. The only way to work full-time, 100% legally in China is to get a working (Z) visa – why not explore this option? You could get your spousal visa and then change to a working visa once you’ve found a job perhaps. Other than that, if you really want to work on the spousal visa, you’d need to be aware that it’s not really supposed to be done BUT private tutoring would be your best bet as it’s more ‘freelance’ work than actual full-time employment and you’d likely get paid in cash. Also, you can charge up to 300RMB/hour which makes the money pretty good!
Hey there! I desperately want to leave for China. I almost done with my degree in education for foundation phase. Still have to complete one module by June 2020. Do I stand a good chance to get a teaching post in China? Any agency you can recommend me to that I would be able to work with when I am ready to leave?
Hey Sherley,
Yes – If you’re a native English speaker and have a degree in Education then you shouldn’t have any difficulty finding a job. As far as agencies, I’d always be a bit careful as there are agencies out there who will exploit you. However, one good agency I can recommend is ImmerQi (https://immerqi.com/). Other than that, you could apply to schools directly. If you go that way, try to speak to existing teachers there to find out what the environment is like.
Good luck!
-Casey
Greetings
So i just completed my tefl/tesol course just waiting for my certificate to arrive.In the mean time my first consideration before and as i was doing the course was going to teach in china,however i do not have a degree.Before i decided to look into teaching i was an administrator which is what i have been mostly doing in my life.i decided to choose tefl because i realise that alot of people need to be taught english and i would also love to travel and get to meet people and learn different cultures.sorry for rumbling but my question now is as you mentioned above that there is a away of teaching without a degree in china as an intern.i would like to know how do i go about that.i am really eager to start this new adventure your assistance will be much appreciated
Hey Theodora,
Yes, teaching English is a wonderful thing to do. It’s a rewarding and fun career choice 🙂
If you’re interested in doing an internship, check out ImmerQi (https://immerqi.com/ambassador/casey). They run high-quality China programs for people who want to teach/intern in China. You can sign-up through the link I sent you to receive a discount on any program fees 🙂 good luck!
Hello Casey,
I’m from Malaysia, an Indian. I did my bachelor degree in TESOL. Then I thought English Language to Chinese students in a Chinse School here in Malaysia. Will I be able to get Z visa and teach English in China ?
Hey Kumar,
The official requirements for the Z visa for teachers are 1. a university bachelor’s degree, 2. native English speaker and 3. TEFL or 2 years of teaching experience. It seems you satisfy all the requirements except possibly being a native English speaker? However, as far as I know, China is quite relaxed on this rule and there are a lot of non-native English teachers in China. So, yes, I think you will be able to obtain the Z visa. Good luck!
Where can I apply for Foreign English Teacher job, if I don’t want to go through any job seeking agencies?
http://www.eslcafe.com/
Great post. I dont have a degree and also i dont have a high school diploma. But i want to teach english and immerse myself in the chinese culture.
Is there hope for someone like me? Thanks in advance
Hey there,
Internship programs usually require at least a high school diploma so unfortunately, it’s going to be hard for you to find any position as an English teacher. You could think about going over to study Chinese and then do some private tutoring on the side though.
-Casey
Hi i want to know if it is possible to get a job for as an english teacher when im not a native speaker?
Hello,
Currently, the rules for teaching English in China include being a native speaker. This is required for a Z (work) visa. However, you can still teach as an intern or private tutor.
Hello,is any degree accepted in china
I believe so. A degree in any subject is fine.
-Casey
Hi, I am interested in how to get an internship? My partner (we are not married) works legally in China and is contracted for 2 years. I naturally want to join him but would need to find an occupation. I had imagined teaching English following a TEFL course but I do not have a college degree. Please can you share as much information as you can. I should be greatly obliged.
Hey Danny,
Sure – I’d suggest checking out i-to-i TEFL. here’s a link. https://www.i-to-i.com/teaching-internships/paid-tefl-internship-china.html
For other internship options you can check out ImmerQi – https://immerqi.com/intern/
Good luck!
-Casey
Hi I don’t have a degree but I have a nursing diploma do I qualify to teach in China
Hi there,
Unfortunately, you need a bachelor’s degree.
-Casey
Hello,I’m Mamsie from South Africa. I’m interested to study through China intership. I got a Matric Certificate ..I don’t have tefl certificate bt I’m ready for it to study it in China..because I can speak English Fluently. My contact details :0788580181. Looking forward to reply me to my email.Sorry at the dont have a website bt I will create it as soon as possible…MY QuSTION IS AFTER COMPLITED MY INTERNSHIP FOR THAT COUPLE MONTH,,AND RECEIVED MY YEFL CERTICATE. WHEN IM DONE WITH MY CONTRACT,IM ALLOWED TO STAY IN CHINA AND LOOK FOR TEACHING JOB,YOU REPLY IN MY EMAIL.,,,,,THANKS…..
Hey Mamsie,
If you’re interested in Teaching English in China, then go here –> https://teacupchinese.com/china-programs
I’ve partnered with ImmerQi, an amazing company that offers a variety of programs in China. If you sign-up through my page, you’ll also get a discount on fees 🙂 good luck!
-Casey
I have a bachelor degree in English language with seven years of experiences in teaching this language at institutes and schools in my homeland. Unfortunately I am non native speaker and I am currenlty in china studying my master degree and i want to get a part time job to teach as you have said internship I don’t know this kind of legal job as internship . COULD YOU HELP ME MORE? by the way I am studying chinese language this year.
Hey!
Thanks for your comment and sorry for my late reply.
I’d recommend doing private tutoring. Perhaps advertise on WeChat or sign-up with an agency and tutor children/adults one-on-one – get paid in cash and you won’t have to worry about legalities 🙂 Good luck!
I want to work as an English teacher in China I wants worked as a pre school teacher so is possible for me to get a job with a certificate in (ECD) early child hood development
I’m not so sure to be honest. I’d recommend you phone your local embassy and ask.
Casey
Good day
I am all the way in south Africa and have studied for a degree in Teaching but I unfortunately dropped out during my third year of university (the full course takes up to 4 years)
I was unable to finish the degree and have since given up. But I would love to go back because of my passion for teaching.
How can I use my results to go teach in China?
I am currently working as a Nurse with one year,I don’t have no Degree and I would like to be a Teacher in China,I would start my Tefl/Tesol course online soon,am I gonna find a job in China?
Hey there,
If you don’t have a degree, you won’t be able to get a working visa – which is needed for full time work in China. You could consider either doing an internship rather or looking into other places such as Vietnam, Thailand etc 🙂
Hi im from South Africa and i dnt have a complete diploma but i have a matric certificate and also a Human Resource Management Practice certificate will i be able to relocatr to china or even have a change to become a English language teacher as i am very fluent in English as i took it ever since as my first language.
Hey there,
You’ll likely need a degree if you want to work full-time in China but you can contact some schools directly and tell them about your situation – there may be an opportunity for you.
-Casey
I am a Zimbabwean. Do I qualify for the opportunity?
I’m sure you do! It’s best to do some research to find out or even contact some schools directly.
Hey! Casey!! Is it true to be an English teacher in China is necessary a degree taught in English only? I don’t have a degree yet. I found out a Neozelander college, called New Zealand Tertiary College. I could study online Bachelor in Early Childhood Education and obtein an accredited degree recognized abroad. (I guess it’s also considered) It’s possible I study from everywhere in 3 years but I have no money enough for all this time so I thought about following pathway classes. My question is: This would be acceptable? Or only a 3/4 years degree? I’m glad to know X visa is not illegal! I received a proposal to work in China, so that’s my unique chance since I have no degree yet.
Peace!! Thank you!
Only a Bachelor’s degree is accepted. It’s illegal to work on an X visa unless you are doing an apprenticeship. If you are caught (and people do get caught I have seen it!). You will be deported and your studies will amount to nothing, you won’t receive any award.
Yes mine it’s part-time. Internship (:
Hi I hold a tefl and would like to teach in China i dont have a degree. I am South Africa and have some teaching experience. Will an internship provide me with accommodation and flights included to get to China? Will I recieve a salary.. just to get by day to day ?
Hey,
For an internship, you won’t get paid flights but you will get a salary and accommodation (or an allowance for accommodation). The salary won’t be much but it will be enough to live on!
Hi how do I apply for the (x) student visa
Hey. It’s best to find an agency who can help with this.
Hi, I just want to ask if you have there Agency in China called Quan Xin Zhai Independent Agency, because there someone there looking for applicants here in Philippines under that agency working as housekeeper and childminder. Do you think is it legal. Thank you
Hey there!
I’ve actually never heard of that agency. Definitely look them up to make sure they are legit though.
I’m 57 yrs old and certificates to teach at High school in Zimbabwe .Can I teach English in china
Hey Casey!
I am from SA, but currently located in China.
I have a 3 year National diploma and I completed my Post graduate certificate in Education. Is this accepted or or not for an English teacher position?
If not, can I complete my honors degree to get a job here?
Tamsyn.
Hey Tamsyn,
I’m not 100% sure whether that is accepted but I know a bachelor’s degree definitely is. It’s probably best to do some research while you’re there. Talk to other local teachers and schools and try to find out.
Good luck!
-Casey
Hey there!
I had left school due to some reasons
And i had done level 4
N i got a certificate
Practicaly i had done ecd (early childhood development)i was told that i can study teaching which i really would like to do
Any suggestions will they accept this in china?
Hey. I believe you need a full bachelor degree to get a Z visa in China. If you currently only possess a certificate, then that won’t be enough. You’ll need to complete the full degree 🙂 Hope I understood you correctly!
Hello there, I’m an Argentinean history student, would a history degree be useful to get a Z visa and work as a full time Spanish teacher? Or should I change my major?
Hey. You can get a Z visa as long as you have a degree – the subject shouldn’t matter 🙂
Please sir, can an HND holder be regarded as a degree holder in China?
Hey, what is HND?
No a HND would not qualify you to teach.
Hi, my bf is a chinese in china, I will be marrying him. I teach private tuition in my country and I do not hold a degree. I have free visa of 15days to china from my country. But if I am to hold a spouse visa, I could teach private tuition one to one. Do they have any tuition agencies online or contacts that you have or information on?
How can I get an x visa to teach ESL legally in China? If so how much are the Mandarin language courses so I could intern in China? How much do interns get paid to teach English in China as an intern? You said for private tutoring a person can charge 300 rmb, how much is that in USD?
Hi Elizabeth,
If you’d like to study and teach at the same time, you would need to find a Chinese language school that is eligible to grant student visas (you need to confirm this with them) OR you could sign up for a university course. In this case, the university will take care of the visa for you. 300 RMB is currently about 43 USD.
-Casey
Good day Casey
I have a Higher Diploma in Education. It is a 4 year diploma, obtained at a teacher training college in South Africa. It is regarded as equal to a BEd in SA. I also have over 20 years teaching experience. Do you know if I would be able to teach legally in China?
TAC
Hi Tesna,
I would imagine that would suffice in order to get a working visa as an English teacher. I would recommend contacting your local Chinese consulate/embassy and asking them directly. They will have the most up to date information.
Casey
Hi Vennie,
Yes, there are many such agencies in China. Where in China will you be located? If you’re going to be in a city, it will be easy to find tutoring centers as many Chinese students do extra English tutoring. You could ask your husband to do a quick internet search or perhaps ask around on WeChat.
You cannot legally teach on a spousal visa.
what is the best telf trainer recognised in china
Hey there,
There are a number of TEFL training companies. I know that i-to-i TEFL are very good 🙂
hi, I am from england and want to teach english in china but i haven’t completed my degree however I am taking a year out of my studies if i have a tefl certificate could i still apply for Z visa?
Hey Jorja,
I would recommend finishing your degree first as the visa application process will be easier and finding a well-paying job will also be. Getting the Z visa without a finished degree may be difficult.
Casey
I have fallen in love with China and all things Chinese. I have visited three times over the past few years and plan a holiday again in October with my daughter. Currently working part-time, I would love to spend more time in China maybe tutoring or voluntary work. I am an older lady who has 40 years admin and secretarial experience, fluent French, excellent Spanish and 4 years learning Mandarin. No degree but education A levels plus 2 years language and secretarial study. Would you have any suggestions? Or am I just too old? Thank you.
Hey Jill,
With your skills and experience, you’re likely to find plenty of job opportunities! Especially in language-related posts. The only issue is getting a Z visa without a degree – this could be a problem. I would suggest you to look for jobs and let the companies know about your situation. There may be ways of obtaining a working visa if you find the right employer.
Best of luck,
Casey
Hi I finished my degree however I don’t have the certificate with me as yet does the letter of completion of study allow you to apply for a Z Visa?
Hi Amanda,
I don’t know for sure but I would imagine that would be enough! You could always phone your local embassy/consulate and ask 🙂
Please I have a bachelor’s degree here in Nigeria, can this enable me to teach English language full time if i travel to China? Pls explain. Thanks.
Hey,
You’d need to get an offer from the school and then apply for your Z visa. Please see the requirements here -https://eslauthority.com/teach/china/visa/
Casey
How do I go about applying to teach English with out a degree?
Hey Jess,
As mentioned, your only option would be an internship. Check out i-to-i TEFL (https://www.i-to-i.com/teaching-internships/paid-tefl-internship-china.html) 🙂 (
Casey
I am a South African with N6 in Business management still fixing my documents for diploma but also currently doing Tefl course so i would like to know if i can teach English in China with the Diploma that i have and my TEFL certificate please
Hey Octavia,
You’ll need a bachelor degree I’m afraid. You can look into internships as an alternative.
-Casey
Hai, if i get a job for Nanny or look after someone’s business as a Sales do I still need degree. And can i leave in china????
I have a Bachelor degree in education and B Ed in life skills and counselling,but no working Visa,I really need to teach English there,how can you help
Hi Valerie,
Once you’ve found a job, they will help you apply for the working visa. The only way to get a working visa is to find a school that will hire you.
-Casey
I hope that you won’t stop writing such interesting articles. I’m waiting for more of your content. I’m going to follow you!
Hi I would like to ask if I have a diploma and Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) am I recognised as having a degree in china, just like here in S.A. or not?
Yes 🙂
Hi Casey
I am English
I have a certificate from
City & Guilds of London
3 year course in Carpentry
I also speak swedish fluently.
I have a Chinese girlfriend
I am hoping to teach English in China.
What would be the best visa to go for?
Hey there,
Without a degree, getting a Z visa probably isn’t an option. You could look for an internship though or perhaps if you’re interested in studying Chinese, you could go over on a student visa (as a way of getting in) and then tutor part-time. I guess it depends on what you want to do. Good luck!
-Casey
I have 2 diplomas and 3years of an incomplete Engineering degree. I have 25years work experience with a year of private tutoring experience. Can I work in China on a student visa as an intern? I have accommodation in Changshu as relative also works there as a full time teacher. What are my options.
Hey there,
Yep, you can work as an intern or find private tutoring work as a freelancer and take home cash 🙂
Good luck
-Casey
I would like to go and teach in China what i would like to know is that the (X) visa can give me an opportunity of being in China maybe for a year or 2years because as much as i have level 5 certificate in Tefl but I also need experience that is why i need to do internships
Well I would like to know the average monthly salary does an intern teacher recieve in China
I have a 2 year AAS degree in Land Surveying/GPS/GIS/CAD, and 2+ years experience working in the field. I don’t have a Bachelor’s degree…Would a 2 year AAS degree suffice to legally work in China teaching English? Thanks!
Hey Matt,
I’m honestly not too sure. Seeing as they specifically list ‘bachelor degree’ as a requirement I’m inclined to think no. However, I’d recommend phoning your local embassy and asking.
-Casey
Hey am kelebogile
Am currently completing my diploma in counselling and communication and am interested in teaching English in China..can I go through with my diploma?
Hey there,
Sorry, you’ll need a full bachelor’s degree.
-Casey
We are a family run dive centre in Cyprus, we love your content.
We are a family run dive centre in Cyprus, we love your content.
Hey Casey,
I’m a Canadian undergrad student with 3/4 years completed but I’m looking to work and make some money before I finish. Would I absolutely have to either finish my degree first or take on an internship? Or would any consideration at all be given to the fact that I have the majority of my degree completed?
Hey Brennan,
Unfortunately, they don’t consider an unfinished degree, no matter how much of it you have completed (it sucks, I know). So yeah, if you’re set on going to China (mainland), I’d recommend either finishing your degree first or doing an internship. However, you won’t make a lot of money on an internship so if your main goal is to save money, it’s not the best option. Finally, if you’re open to going to other places to teach, you could look into Thailand/Vietnam and even Hong Kong (they offer a one year ‘working holiday’ visa and you don’t need a degree for it).
P.S. We have partnered with ImmerQi, which is the company we recommend for top quality China experiences! So if you do decide to do an internship, consider going through them (you’ll also get a discount on program costs). You’ll find the link in this post.
Good luck!
-Casey
I am Tanzanian, holder of Master’s Degree in Law with CELTA Certificate, what are chances for employment in China as EFL Teacher?
Hey Margreth,
Technically you need to be a native speaker to get a full-time job and Z visa. However, you could consider an internship 🙂
-Casey
Is it possible for me to work as an English language teacher in China as of now with a high diplna and several years of experience
Hey there,
No, you cannot work full-time without a bachelor’s degree. You can do an internship though. If you’re interested, check out this link: https://teacupchinese.com/teach-in-china-programs
Hope to see more posts from you!
Greetings ,
I actually don’t have a Bsc but am enrolled in a diploma program . Can I possibly substitute my diploma for Bsc in getting a teaching job in China . Thanks as I anticipate your reply.
Hi Amara,
Unfortunately, you need a bachelor’s degree.
Kind regards