If you are considering becoming a secondary school teacher, it is important that you know about the Online Master’s in Teaching and familiarise yourself with all the requirements to ensure you are prepared and meet all the necessary criteria.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the entry requirements for the Master’s Degree in Teaching for Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Education, Vocational Training and Language Teaching, tell you about the qualifications needed to enrol on this programme, and provide all the relevant information on how to become a secondary school teacher. Let’s get started!
What is the Master’s in Teaching?
The Master’s in Teaching is an essential training programme for those who wish to teach at secondary level. Before going into detail about the requirements for the Master’s in Teaching, the specific qualifications and criteria, it is important to understand the general aspects that apply at national level in many countries, including Spain.
Requirements for becoming a secondary school teacher
To become a secondary school teacher, you must meet the following general requirements:
1. University degree
The first requirement for becoming a secondary school teacher is to hold a university degree. Normally, this involves having a bachelor’s degree or a degree in a discipline related to the subject you wish to teach. For example, if you want to be a maths teacher, your university degree must be related to maths.
2. A Master’s degree in Teaching
In order to qualify, it is an essential requirement to hold a Master’s degree in Teaching for Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Education, Vocational Training and Language Teaching.
3. Obtain teaching qualification
The Master’s degree in teacher training is aimed at graduates who wish to teach in Compulsory Secondary Education, Sixth Form, Vocational Training or Language Teaching, and who have sufficient training in the subjects corresponding to their chosen specialism (please check for specialisms, preferred entry qualifications and related qualifications). The Master’s degree is a necessary but not sufficient condition for working as a secondary school teacher.
- In state schools, candidates must pass the relevant competitive examination.
- In private and state-subsidised schools, the requirements are set out in Royal Decree 860/2010 of 2 July and Royal Decree 665/2015 of 17 July, which regulate the conditions for the initial training of teachers in private schools to teach in Compulsory Secondary Education or the Sixth Form.
- Vocational Training and special-status education programmes are also subject to other specific regulations.
The application of these regulations may vary across the different autonomous communities; if in doubt, it is recommended that you consult the relevant public administration departments. Competitive examinations are rigorous selection processes that include written and oral tests, and their difficulty varies depending on the autonomous community in which you are based.
Here is further information on competitive examinations for teaching posts , including a guide on how to prepare for them.
3. Passing the teaching placement
In addition to the written and oral exams, candidates are required to complete a teaching placement at an educational institution. This is done to assess the candidate’s ability to teach and manage a classroom.
Entry requirements for the Master’s in Teaching
The Master’s in Teaching is an important step in the process of becoming a secondary school teacher. Here are the specific entry requirements for this postgraduate programme:
1. University degree
As mentioned earlier, regarding the qualifications required for entry to the Master’s in Teaching, you must hold a university degree related to the subject you wish to teach.
2. Passing a personal interview
In some cases, universities may require candidates to sit a personal interview as part of the admission process for the Master’s in Teaching. The aim of this interview is to assess your skills, motivation and aptitude for teaching.
3. Previous experience
Although not a general requirement, some universities may give preference to candidates who have previous experience in the field of education or who have worked as supply teachers. This experience may be viewed favourably during the admissions process.
Admission to the Master’s in Teaching: What do I need?
Once you have understood the general and specific requirements for the Master’s in Teaching, it is important to research and understand the specific regulations in your country and autonomous community. Requirements may vary depending on geographical location and local education regulations.
Qualifications required for entry to the Master’s in Teaching
In terms of the qualifications required, it is essential that your bachelor’s degree is related to the subject you wish to teach. Direct entry to each specialism will be granted in accordance with the list of qualifications shown below:
1. Specialism in Physics and Chemistry.
- Bachelor’s degree in Physics , Chemistry or Biochemistry.
- Degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Electronic Engineering.
- Dual degrees in the aforementioned subjects.
- Degrees comprising at least 60 credits of content in Physics or Chemistry.
2. Specialisation in Biology.
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology
- Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry.
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences.
3. Specialisation in Technology.
- Graduates holding official qualifications in the fields of technology, architecture or science.
- Engineers, Architects or holders of official degrees in the fields of Technical Education or Experimental Sciences.
- Technical engineers, technical architects or holders of recognised diplomas in the fields of Technical Education or Experimental Sciences.
4. Specialisation in Spanish Language and Literature.
- Graduates in Hispanic Studies or holders of a degree in Hispanic Philology.
- The following qualifications will also be considered if places remain available:
- Graduates in Modern Languages, Culture and Communication (with Spanish as a first or second language).
- Graduates or degree holders in Journalism.
- Graduates in Translation and Interpreting.
5. Specialisation in a Foreign Language: English.
- Degree in English Studies or a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature.
- Degree in Modern Languages (with English as a first language).
- Degree in Translation and Interpreting (with English as the first language).
- Bachelor’s Degree in Primary School Teaching – Specialising in English.
6. Specialisation in Mathematics.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Physics.
- Any graduate, bachelor’s degree holder or engineer who has completed the equivalent of 60 credits in university-level mathematics studies.
7. Specialisation in Geography and History.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and History
- Bachelor’s Degree in Geography
- Bachelor’s degree in History
- Bachelor’s degree in Art History
- Bachelor’s Degree in Archaeology
- Bachelor’s Degree in Ancient Sciences and Languages
- Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Land Management
- Any degree or bachelor’s degree in which the core subjects are Geography, Archaeology, History and Art History.
8. Specialisation in Economics.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.
- Bachelor’s degree in Tourism
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing
- Double Degree in Law and Business Administration.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Finance
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Mathematics
- Degrees comprising a minimum of 60 ECTS credits in Economics as part of the Bachelor’s degree programme will also be taken into account.
9. Specialisation in Music
- Higher Diploma in Music or Dance.
- A degree in Musicology or equivalent qualifications for teaching purposes.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Music Performance or equivalent qualifications for teaching purposes
- A Bachelor’s degree in Modern Music Performance or equivalent qualifications for teaching purposes.
10. Physical Education Specialism
- CAFYD (Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences ) or equivalent qualifications for teaching purposes.
11. Specialism in Educational Guidance.
- Bachelor’s degree in Psychology , Pedagogy or Psychopedagogy.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Years Education , Primary Education or Social Education.
The option of undertaking specific supplementary training is not available in cases where the entry qualification is not entirely relevant, in terms of its subject area, to the specialism the candidate wishes to study or, where applicable, the candidate fails the examination certifying adequate training in the subject matter corresponding to the chosen specialism.
It is important to note that these are general guidelines, and specific requirements may vary depending on the legislation in force in your place of residence. We recommend that you consult the relevant educational authority at the universities of your choice to obtain precise information on the necessary qualifications.
Conclusion
Becoming a secondary school teacher is a process that involves meeting specific requirements for both the competitive examinations and the Master’s degree in Teaching. Ensuring you have the appropriate university qualification and understand the selection processes is essential to achieving your goal of becoming an educator.
Remember that requirements may vary depending on the country and the autonomous community in which you live, so it is vital to research local regulations and seek advice from education experts. Being well prepared will help you succeed on your path to teaching in secondary education. At UAX , we offer the Master’s Degree in Teaching for Secondary Education (ESO and Bachillerato), Vocational Training and Language Teaching, or the Online Master’s in Bilingual Education , through which you can train to achieve your dream. In addition, we also offer an Online Course in Pedagogical and Didactic Training for Vocational Training Teachers , which will enable you to complete your training and qualify as a vocational training teacher.
And if you’re looking for a specialisation that will bring out the educational leader within you, explore our Master’s in School Management . Discover the curriculum, career opportunities and the recommended student profile. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We wish you every success in your journey to becoming a secondary school teacher!
