Discipline · Education & Teaching
Study Secondary Education abroad.
Compare PGCE, Master of Teaching and BEd routes to secondary teacher registration, see which subjects are in shortage, and find out where qualified high school teachers are hired and what they earn.
Updated October 2026 · Indicative data for international students
At a glance
Secondary Education abroad: the quick answer.
Secondary education degrees train you to teach one or two specialist subjects to students aged about 11–18 and lead to registration as a high school teacher. Students study secondary education abroad to gain portable qualifications such as a PGCE with QTS or a Master of Teaching, and to work in countries with teacher shortages. New teachers typically earn GBP 32–38K in England, AUD 80–90K in Australia and USD 45–58K in the US.
- Bachelor’s duration
- 4 years (BEd or double degree)
- Master’s duration
- 1–2 years (PGCE, PME, MTeach)
- Top study destinations
- UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand
- Average graduate salary
- AUD 80K–90K (Australia)
- Key accreditations
- AITSL, TRA (QTS), Teaching Council, CAEP
- Best for
- Subject enthusiasts who enjoy explaining ideas
About the programme
What is Secondary Education?
When you study secondary education abroad, you combine expertise in a teaching subject such as maths, physics, English or computing with the pedagogy, assessment and classroom management needed to teach teenagers. Most international students take a postgraduate route after a subject degree, such as a one-year PGCE in England, Ireland’s two-year Professional Master of Education or a two-year Master of Teaching (Secondary) in Australia, each built around long school placements.
Teaching is licensed nationally or by state, so your programme must be accredited where you want to teach. AITSL-accredited degrees lead to state registration in Australia, PGCE courses with QTS are recognised in England and respected by international schools, and Canadian BEd degrees lead to provincial certification. Your undergraduate subject matters too, because registration bodies check content in each teaching area.
Secondary teaching suits students who love their subject, communicate clearly and enjoy working with young people. Graduates in maths, sciences, computing and languages are especially sought after, and international schools in the Gulf and Asia offer a second, well-paid career market.
What you will study
- Curriculum & Pedagogy: Teaching Area 1
- Curriculum & Pedagogy: Teaching Area 2
- Adolescent Development & Learning
- Classroom & Behaviour Management
- Assessment, Feedback & Reporting
- Inclusive Education & Differentiation
- Literacy, Numeracy & Digital Skills Across the Curriculum
- Professional Experience in Secondary Schools
Types of courses
Types of courses to study Secondary Education abroad.
From short diplomas to doctoral research, here is how Secondary Education qualifications are structured across major study destinations.
Diploma / Certificate
Certificates in education support or teacher assistance, and foundation programmes that build English and academic skills, preparing students for teaching-assistant work or entry to an education bachelor’s.
Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor of Education (Secondary), BSc/BEd double degrees or concurrent BEd programmes combining two teaching subjects with pedagogy and placements, leading directly to registration where accredited.
Master’s degree
Master of Teaching (Secondary) in Australia and New Zealand or Ireland’s two-year Professional Master of Education, for graduates with enough discipline study in one or two teaching areas.
PGCE / Postgraduate Diploma
England’s PGCE with QTS, School Direct and SCITT routes, or Scotland’s PGDE, offer the fastest route to a recognised teaching qualification; the PGCEi suits teachers already in international schools but does not confer QTS.
Professional certifications
Registration with state boards, the Teaching Council or provincial colleges, plus iQTS, US state licensure with Praxis or state exams, and the UAE teacher licensing system for Gulf schools.
Accreditation & recognition
Secondary Education accreditation and professional bodies.
Secondary teaching is a licensed profession: without registration you cannot hold a permanent teaching post in a state school. When studying abroad, confirm the programme is accredited by the regulator in your target country, that your degree covers enough content for your teaching subjects, and that the qualification is recognised by international schools if you plan to teach in the Gulf or Asia.
| Body / accreditation | Where it counts | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| AITSL and state teacher regulators | Australia | AITSL sets standards for initial teacher education and assesses teachers for migration; VIT, NESA, QCT and other state boards register teachers. |
| Teaching Regulation Agency (QTS) | England | Awards Qualified Teacher Status after accredited PGCE, SCITT or undergraduate routes and recognises overseas teaching qualifications through its QTS application service. |
| Teaching Council (Ireland) | Ireland | Accredits the Professional Master of Education and concurrent degrees and registers post-primary teachers, checking subject content for each curricular subject. |
| Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand | New Zealand | Approves initial teacher education programmes and grants registration and practising certificates for secondary teachers. |
| Provincial certification bodies | Canada | Bodies such as the Ontario College of Teachers and BC’s Teacher Certification Branch certify teachers, and each province sets its own requirements. |
| CAEP and state licensing boards | USA | The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation accredits teacher programmes, while each state licenses teachers, often requiring Praxis or state exams. |
| KHDA, ADEK and MOE | UAE | Regulate schools in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and federally, and set teacher qualification and licensing requirements, including the UAE teacher licensing system. |
Current trends
What is shaping Secondary Education right now.
- STEM teacher shortages deepen. England, Australia, the US and Ireland all report persistent shortages in maths, physics, chemistry and computing, so graduates in these subjects can expect bursaries, scholarships or faster hiring.
- Overseas teachers welcomed. England now lets qualified teachers from any country apply for QTS, Australia assesses overseas teachers through AITSL, and New Zealand has prioritised teachers for residence, widening options for internationally trained teachers.
- Paid and employment-based training. Salaried School Direct places, postgraduate teaching apprenticeships in England and paid internship schemes in Australian states let trainees earn while they qualify, though many are limited to local residents.
- International school boom. Thousands of English-medium international schools now operate in the UAE, China and Southeast Asia, so graduates who study secondary education abroad and earn QTS or equivalent can build a global career.
- Digital and AI literacy in classrooms. Schools are rewriting assessment and curriculum to cope with generative AI, creating demand for teachers who can teach computing, digital literacy and academic integrity alongside their main subject.
Programme options
Best Secondary Education courses to study abroad.
The most widely offered and highly ranked bachelor’s and master’s specialisations in Secondary Education, with a short note on what each one focuses on.
Top bachelor’s degrees
Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Four-year teacher-qualifying degree
BSc/BEd (Secondary) double degree
Science content plus teacher registration
BA (Hons) Secondary Education with QTS
Undergraduate QTS route in England
BSc Mathematics with QTS
Shortage-subject maths teaching route
BA/BEd (Secondary) double degree
Humanities or languages teaching areas
Concurrent BEd (Canada)
Subject degree and education combined
BS Secondary Education
US route to grades 7–12 licensure
BSc Science Education (Ireland)
Concurrent post-primary science teaching degree
BSc Physical Education with Teaching
Qualifies PE teachers
BEd Technology Education
Design, engineering and technology teaching
Top master’s degrees
PGCE Secondary with QTS
One-year England route to teaching
Master of Teaching (Secondary)
AITSL-accredited Australian registration degree
Professional Master of Education (PME)
Irish two-year post-primary qualification
Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary)
Intensive New Zealand registration programme
PGDE Secondary (Scotland)
Route to GTC Scotland registration
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
US licensure plus master’s
Master of Teaching (OISE, Toronto)
Two-year Ontario certification degree
MA Education (Teaching & Learning)
Advanced practice for qualified teachers
MEd Educational Leadership
Head of department to principal
PGCE International (PGCEi)
For teachers in international schools
Where to study
Best countries to study Secondary Education abroad.
North America, the UK and Ireland, Schengen Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and the GCC each offer a different mix of programme strength, cost, work rights and industry access for Secondary Education students.
United Kingdom
England offers one-year PGCE courses with QTS at UCL Institute of Education, Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Nottingham and Durham, with bursaries in priority subjects for eligible trainees and a qualification valued by British international schools worldwide.
Best for: Fast one-year QTS and global portability
Australia
Melbourne, Monash, Sydney, UNSW, Queensland and Deakin offer AITSL-accredited Master of Teaching (Secondary) degrees with at least 60 days of school placement, then registration through state boards in a high-demand, well-paid job market.
Best for: Registration, strong pay and skilled migration
Canada
OISE at the University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, Alberta and Queen’s offer BEd and Master of Teaching programmes leading to provincial certification, with demand strongest in Ontario, Alberta, rural BC and French immersion.
Best for: Provincial certification and French immersion demand
Ireland
Trinity College Dublin, UCD, University of Galway, UCC, Maynooth and the University of Limerick offer the two-year Professional Master of Education, recognised by the Teaching Council, in a system with post-primary shortages in STEM and languages.
Best for: EU-recognised registration and shortage subjects
New Zealand
The University of Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato, Otago and Victoria University of Wellington offer graduate secondary teaching qualifications, with Teaching Council registration and strong demand for maths, science and technology teachers.
Best for: Secondary teacher demand and residence options
United States
Teachers College Columbia, Stanford, Harvard, Vanderbilt Peabody and Michigan offer MAT, MEd and teacher education programmes leading to state licensure, with clear shortages in STEM, special education and bilingual teaching.
Best for: Research-led teacher education and US licensure
Germany
Lehramt programmes at universities such as LMU Munich, Heidelberg and Humboldt Berlin lead to secure, often civil-service teaching posts, but require German at C1–C2, two teaching subjects and a practical Referendariat.
Best for: Civil-service teaching for fluent German speakers
Singapore
The National Institute of Education at NTU trains Singapore’s teachers through the PGDE and degrees; MOE posts mostly go to citizens and PRs, but the city’s international schools hire qualified expatriate teachers.
Best for: World-class teacher education and international schools
UAE
The British University in Dubai and other UAE universities offer education master’s and teacher training, while more than 200 private schools in Dubai alone recruit secondary teachers trained in the UK, Ireland, Australia and India.
Best for: Tax-free international school teaching
Malaysia
The University of Nottingham Malaysia offers the PGCE International, and universities in Kuala Lumpur offer education degrees in a fast-growing international school hub, giving affordable training and a route into Asian international teaching.
Best for: Affordable PGCEi and international school jobs
Jobs after graduation
Best countries to get a Secondary Education job after your course.
Ranked on graduate demand, salary, post-study work rights and long-term residency options for international students.
- 1
Australia
Every state reports shortages of secondary teachers, especially in maths, science, technology and regional schools, and starting pay is among the world’s highest. State education departments offer incentives for hard-to-staff schools and sponsor experienced teachers.
Pathway: 485 visa; secondary teacher on skilled lists; state nomination common
- 2
UK
England needs thousands of new secondary teachers each year, particularly in physics, maths, chemistry, computing and languages. Schools can sponsor Skilled Worker visas, and QTS holders are hired quickly, with London pay bands higher.
Pathway: Graduate Route, then Skilled Worker sponsorship by schools
- 3
Canada
Ontario, Alberta, BC and Atlantic provinces face teacher shortages, especially in French, maths, sciences and northern or rural boards. Certified teachers often start as occasional teachers before securing permanent contracts.
Pathway: PGWP; Express Entry education category; provincial nominee programmes
- 4
New Zealand
Secondary schools struggle to fill maths, science, te reo Māori and technology roles, especially outside Auckland and Wellington. Registered teachers are hired readily and have been prioritised in New Zealand’s residence settings.
Pathway: Post-study work visa; secondary teachers on the Green List
- 5
UAE
International schools in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah recruit British, IB and American curriculum teachers year-round, typically offering tax-free salaries, housing or allowance, flights and medical cover, with QTS or equivalent often required.
Pathway: Employer-sponsored visa; UAE teacher licensing; QTS preferred
- 6
Ireland
Post-primary schools face shortages in Irish, maths, physics, chemistry, home economics and modern languages, and the Teaching Council registers PME graduates. Salaries rise on a fixed incremental scale with strong job security.
Pathway: Stamp 1G, then General Employment Permit
Average pay scale
Secondary Education salary by country.
Indicative annual gross salaries for Secondary Education graduates in local currency (K = thousand, M = million), with the post-study work rights available to international students.
| Country | Currency | Entry level (0–2 yrs) | Mid-career (3–7 yrs) | Senior (8+ yrs) | Post-study work rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | USD | 45–58K | 60–80K | 85–130K | OPT 12 months (+24 months for STEM degrees) |
| Canada | CAD | 55–70K | 75–95K | 100–130K | PGWP up to 3 years |
| United Kingdom | GBP | 32–38K | 38–50K | 55–90K | Graduate Route 2 years (18 months for applications from 2027) |
| Ireland | EUR | 40–46K | 50–65K | 70–95K | Stamp 1G: 1 year (bachelor’s) / 2 years (master’s) |
| Germany | EUR | 50–58K | 60–72K | 75–95K | 18-month job-seeker residence permit |
| Netherlands | EUR | 40–48K | 50–65K | 68–85K | Orientation year (zoekjaar) 12 months |
| France | EUR | 28–34K | 34–44K | 46–60K | 1-year post-study residence permit (master’s) |
| Australia | AUD | 80–90K | 95–115K | 120–160K | Temporary Graduate visa (485) 2–3 years |
| New Zealand | NZD | 62–72K | 80–105K | 110–150K | Post-study work visa up to 3 years |
| Singapore | SGD | 48–60K | 65–90K | 95–140K | 1-year job-search pass, then Employment Pass |
| Japan | JPY | 3.5–4.5M | 4.8–6.5M | 7.0–9.5M | Up to 1 year job-seeking status, then work visa |
| Malaysia | MYR | 36–60K | 60–96K | 100–180K | Employer-sponsored Employment Pass |
| UAE | AED | 120–180K | 180–264K | 300–540K | Employer-sponsored visa; Golden Visa for top graduates |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR | 108–168K | 168–240K | 264–420K | Employer-sponsored work visa (iqama) |
Salary ranges are indicative for 2025–26 and vary by employer, city, qualification and experience. UAE and Saudi Arabia salaries are generally tax-free. Visa rules change often, so always confirm with official government sources.
Official post-study work information: USA (Study in the States) · UK Graduate visa · Canada PGWP · Australia subclass 485 · Ireland Stamp 1G · Germany (Make it in Germany) · New Zealand Immigration
Careers & salaries
Top jobs after a Secondary Education degree.
The most common career paths, what each role involves, indicative USD-equivalent pay in strong markets, and where demand is highest.
| Role | What you do | Salary (USD equiv.) | Top hiring countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | Teaches one or two subjects to students aged 11–18 | 50–100K | Australia, Canada, UAE |
| STEM Teacher (Maths / Physics) | Fills the hardest-to-staff subjects, often with incentives | 55–105K | UK, Australia, USA |
| International School Teacher | Teaches IB, A Level or AP curricula overseas | 40–90K | UAE, Singapore, Malaysia |
| Head of Department | Leads curriculum, results and staff in a subject area | 75–125K | Australia, UK, New Zealand |
| IB Diploma Coordinator | Manages IB Diploma programme delivery and assessment | 70–120K | UAE, Singapore, Netherlands |
| Assistant / Deputy Principal | Leads school operations, wellbeing and staff development | 100–160K | Australia, Canada, UAE |
| Examiner / Assessment Specialist | Designs and marks exams for awarding bodies | 50–95K | UK, Australia, Singapore |
| Curriculum & EdTech Developer | Builds digital learning content and teacher resources | 60–120K | USA, UK, Singapore |
USD figures are approximate conversions for comparison only. Always check current market rates before making career decisions.
The next decade
Scope of Secondary Education over the next 10 years.
What the structural shifts in the field mean for graduates entering it now.
- Shortages outlast the decade. Retirements, population growth in some regions and teacher attrition mean most English-speaking systems expect to recruit heavily into the 2030s, especially in STEM, languages and regional schools.
- Global mobility for teachers. Graduates who study secondary education abroad and earn QTS, Australian registration or similar can move between national systems and international schools, an unusually portable career for a regulated profession.
- Pay growth through bargaining. Recent settlements in England, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland have lifted teacher pay, and pressure to recruit and retain staff should keep salaries rising, particularly at entry level and in shortage areas.
- Teaching evolves with AI. AI will take over some marking, planning and administration, but schools will still need teachers to motivate, mentor and assess students, with growing value placed on digital literacy and pastoral skills.
Frequently asked
FAQs: study Secondary Education abroad.
Which country is best to study secondary education abroad?
England is best for speed and portability: a one-year PGCE with QTS is recognised by British international schools worldwide. Australia is strongest for pay and migration, with two-year AITSL-accredited Master of Teaching degrees. Ireland’s PME suits students wanting EU registration, and Canada and New Zealand combine certification with residence pathways. Choose based on where you want to teach long term.
Which country has the best teaching jobs and PR options?
Australia, Canada and New Zealand offer the clearest routes from teaching to permanent residence, as secondary teachers appear on skilled or priority lists. England has plentiful jobs and school-sponsored Skilled Worker visas, leading to settlement after several years. The UAE offers tax-free international school jobs but no permanent residence route for most teachers.
Is secondary teaching a good career?
Yes, for people who enjoy their subject and young people. Teaching offers job security, structured pay scales, long holidays and global mobility, and shortage subjects give extra bargaining power. Workload and behaviour management can be demanding, so choose a programme with strong placements and mentoring, and consider maths, physics or computing, where demand is highest.
How much do secondary teachers earn abroad?
Indicative 2025–26 starting salaries are AUD 80–90K in Australia, GBP 32–38K in England (higher in London), EUR 40–46K in Ireland, NZD 62–72K in New Zealand, CAD 55–70K in Canada and USD 45–58K in the US. International schools in the UAE typically pay AED 10–15K a month tax-free, often with housing.
What are the entry requirements to study secondary teaching abroad?
Postgraduate routes need a bachelor’s with enough study in your teaching subject, often the equivalent of a major for one subject and a minor for a second. English requirements are high: IELTS Academic 7.0–7.5 for entry, and Australian registration usually needs 7.5 overall with 8.0 in speaking and listening. Expect interviews, police checks and, in Australia, the LANTITE literacy and numeracy test.
Will AI replace teachers?
Unlikely. AI can help create lesson materials, give quick feedback and personalise practice, but students still need adults who motivate them, build relationships, manage classrooms and safeguard wellbeing. Teacher education programmes now include AI and digital pedagogy, and teachers who use these tools well will save time and improve results rather than lose their jobs.
Can I teach in international schools with a PGCE from the UK?
Yes. A PGCE with QTS is one of the most requested qualifications at British-curriculum international schools in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore and Malaysia. Most schools also want around two years of post-qualification experience, so many graduates complete their early career teacher induction in England first, then move overseas for higher tax-free packages.
Keep exploring
Related subjects and destinations.
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