Teaching courses in Dubai fall into four groups: initial teacher training such as the PGCE, English language teaching certificates such as CELTA and TEFL/TESOL, early years and teaching assistant qualifications such as NCFE CACHE and Montessori, and short CPD courses for teachers already in post. Which one you need depends on where you want to teach and what the school will ask for at hiring.
Whatever you take, teaching in a UAE school also requires a professional licence from the UAE Ministry of Education. This guide explains the licence first, then compares the main courses, verified providers and published fees.
- Teacher licence
- Mandatory to practise in UAE schools since 2021 (Gulf News, July 2025)
- Licence minimum
- Bachelor's degree plus subject and professional exams
- PGCE in Dubai
- University of Birmingham Dubai: PGCE Primary with iQTS, AED 78,333 per year (Birmingham Dubai site, Oct 2026)
- Part-time PGCEi
- University of Birmingham Dubai: 1 year, AED 41,136 for Sept 2026 entry (Birmingham Dubai site, Oct 2026)
- CELTA
- Eton Institute online, 10 weeks, AED 7,454.95 incl. VAT for the Oct 2026 start (Eton Institute site, Oct 2026)
- CACHE Level 3
- Arabian Child, AED 12,500 (provider site, Oct 2026)
Teacher licensing in the UAE: check this first
According to Gulf News (updated July 2025), a professional licence from the UAE Ministry of Education has been mandatory to practise teaching in the UAE since 2021, for both public and private schools. There are three licence types:
- Teacher Licence: subject, activity, kindergarten, special education and vocational teachers
- School Leadership Licence: principals and deputy principals
- School Professionals Licence: non-teaching roles such as librarians, lab technicians, counsellors and classroom assistants
To apply you register on the electronic licensing system with UAE Pass, attest or obtain equivalency for your qualifications, hold at least a bachelor's degree, and pass the exams for your category. Teachers sit a subject exam and a professional exam on educational foundations. Candidates get three attempts; after that there is a six-month wait before three new attempts. Private school teachers register with an access code from their principal; job seekers register through the "Teach for UAE" portal.
Teachers who already hold an international teaching licence go through an evaluation that asks for the licence certificate, licensing history, proof of experience and a criminal record clearance.
Teaching courses in Dubai compared
| Course | What it is | Typical length | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGCE (with QTS or iQTS) | Postgraduate initial teacher training with assessed school placements | 1 year full time | Graduates who want to become qualified classroom teachers |
| PGCEi / iPGCE | Postgraduate certificate for teachers already working in schools; usually does not award QTS on its own | 1 year part time | Working teachers who want a recognised postgraduate teaching qualification |
| CELTA | Cambridge English certificate in teaching English to adults | 4 to 10 weeks | New English language teachers, adult and private language schools |
| TEFL / TESOL | Generic English teaching certificates; quality varies by provider | From a few days to several months | Tutors and entry-level language teachers; check hours and observed teaching |
| NCFE CACHE Level 2 to 5 | UK vocational qualifications for early years and teaching assistants | Several months | Nursery staff, early years educators, teaching assistants |
| Montessori certificate or diploma | Training in the Montessori method; standards differ between bodies | 60 hours to 12 months | Nursery and early childhood practitioners |
| CPD short courses | Continuing professional development for serving teachers | Hours to days | Teachers meeting school CPD targets |
PGCE courses in Dubai
The University of Birmingham Dubai runs two routes, both confirmed on its site in October 2026:
- PGCE Primary (5 to 11 years) with iQTS: one year full time on the Dubai campus, with 120 days of assessed school placements. The page describes iQTS as accredited by the UK Department for Education and aligned with English teacher standards, and states the course is accredited by MoHESR. Entry needs a 2:2 degree, GCSE grade 4/C in maths and a science or equivalent, IELTS 6.5, an interview and safeguarding checks, plus UAE residency. Fee: AED 78,333 per year (Birmingham Dubai site, Oct 2026). Applications for September 2026 are closed.
- PGCE International (PGCEi): one year part time with weekly evening classes and monthly Saturday sessions, for people currently working in an educational setting in the UAE. It does not confer QTS on its own. Fee: AED 41,136 for September 2026 entry (Birmingham Dubai site, Oct 2026). Intakes in January and September.
Many teachers in Dubai also take online iPGCE courses from UK universities. If you choose an online route, check how the qualification will be treated in the Ministry's licensing and equivalency process before you enrol.
CELTA, TEFL and TESOL in Dubai
CELTA is set by Cambridge and can only be taught by authorised centres. Eton Institute describes itself as an official Cambridge CELTA centre. Its online CELTA runs for 10 weeks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6 to 9 pm) and Saturdays (10 am to 5 pm), starting 10 October 2026, at AED 7,454.95 including VAT after a published discount (provider site, October 2026). Eton's FAQ says it currently only offers CELTA, although TESOL appears in its menu.
TEFL and TESOL certificates are not controlled by one body. When comparing them, ask:
- How many guided learning hours, and are any of them in person?
- Is there observed, assessed teaching practice with real learners?
- Who awards the certificate, and is the awarding body regulated?
Language schools tend to ask for CELTA or an equivalent course of at least that standard. For learning English yourself, see English courses in Dubai.
CACHE, early childhood and teaching assistant courses
NCFE CACHE qualifications are common in Dubai nurseries and for teaching assistant roles in British-curriculum schools. Arabian Child, which states it is licensed by KHDA, lists on its site (October 2026):
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator): AED 12,500 (Arabian Child site, Oct 2026)
- CACHE Assessor course (Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement): AED 8,000 (Arabian Child site, Oct 2026)
- Short courses such as Child Protection and Safeguarding in Early Childhood Level 2: AED 800 (Arabian Child site, Oct 2026)
- CACHE Level 2 certificates and a CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Leadership (fees not shown)
For teaching assistant courses in Dubai with fees, listing sites show "Supporting Teaching and Learning" awards and certificates from several online providers at a few hundred to about AED 1,300, but these are third-party listings (Edarabia listing, Oct 2026). Confirm the awarding body and whether the qualification is regulated before paying.
Early childhood education degrees are also available. Edarabia lists a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood at Jumeira University in Dubai listed at AED 99,000 (listing site, October 2026; confirm with the university).
Montessori teacher training
Montessori training is offered by several bodies with different standards. A Bayut guide lists the Institute of International Teachers Training in Dubai, a member of the International Montessori Society, with a course of up to 240 hours over 12 months for AED 1,100 (undated Bayut guide, Oct 2026), and Asian College of Teachers with a 60-hour online certificate. Neither is listed as affiliated with AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) or AMS (American Montessori Society), which some Montessori nurseries prefer. Check which credential your target employer asks for.
Teaching course providers in Dubai
| Provider | Courses | Format | Reported fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Birmingham Dubai | PGCE Primary with iQTS; PGCEi | Full time on campus; part time evenings and Saturdays | AED 78,333 per year; AED 41,136 (university site, Oct 2026) |
| Eton Institute | Cambridge CELTA | Online, 10 weeks, evenings and Saturdays | AED 7,454.95 incl. VAT (provider site, Oct 2026) |
| Arabian Child | NCFE CACHE Level 2, 3 and 5; assessor course; safeguarding short courses | Dubai office | CACHE Level 3: AED 12,500 (provider site, Oct 2026) |
| TELLAL Institute | Certificate in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language | Dubai | AED 5,250 (Edarabia listing, Oct 2026) |
| Institute of International Teachers Training | Montessori training (International Montessori Society) | Up to 240 hours over 12 months | AED 1,100 (undated Bayut guide, Oct 2026) |
Fees marked as listing or guide figures were not confirmed on the provider's own site.
How to choose a teaching course
- Start from the job. Classroom teacher in a UAE school: degree, recognised teacher training and the Ministry licence. Language school: CELTA or equivalent. Nursery: CACHE or Montessori as the employer specifies.
- Check licensing fit. Make sure your degree can be attested or made equivalent, because the licence requires it.
- Check the awarding body. A university, Cambridge, NCFE CACHE or another regulated body, not just the centre's own certificate.
- Check the provider's permit. Universities: MoHESR/CAA or KHDA-permitted branch campus. Training centres in Dubai: KHDA permit.
- Look for observed teaching practice. Employers value courses where you are assessed teaching real learners.
- Get the full cost. Interview, registration, assessment and VAT can add several hundred dirhams.
For physical education, education management and other degrees, see undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Dubai.
Questions and answers
Do I need a licence to teach in Dubai?
Yes. Gulf News reported in July 2025 that a UAE Ministry of Education licence has been mandatory to teach in the UAE since 2021, in public and private schools. It requires at least a bachelor's degree and passing subject and professional exams.
Can I do a PGCE in Dubai?
Yes. The University of Birmingham Dubai offers a full-time PGCE Primary with iQTS at AED 78,333 per year and a part-time PGCEi for working teachers at AED 41,136 (Birmingham Dubai site, Oct 2026).
Where can I do CELTA in Dubai?
Eton Institute is an authorised Cambridge CELTA centre. Its online 10-week CELTA starting October 2026 costs AED 7,454.95 including VAT after a published discount (Eton Institute site, Oct 2026).
What is a CACHE course?
NCFE CACHE qualifications are UK vocational qualifications in early years care and education. In Dubai, Arabian Child lists the Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce at AED 12,500 (Arabian Child site, Oct 2026).
Is TEFL enough to teach English in Dubai?
It depends on the employer. Many language schools ask for CELTA or an equivalent with observed teaching practice, and school teaching posts also need a degree and the Ministry licence.
Are there KHDA approved teaching courses?
Private training centres in Dubai need a KHDA permit. Arabian Child states it is licensed by KHDA. Always check the current permit with KHDA before paying.
Sources
- Gulf News: UAE Ministry of Education mandates professional licenses for educators
- University of Birmingham Dubai: PGCE Primary Education with iQTS
- University of Birmingham Dubai: Postgraduate Certificate in Education International
- Eton Institute: CELTA certificate course in Dubai
- Arabian Child: early childhood training and CACHE courses
- Edarabia: teaching courses in UAE listing
- Bayut MyBayut: Montessori teacher training courses in the UAE
Last checked: 15 October 2026