How to Qualify
Applicants may apply for EPIK while they are still in the process of completing their degree and/or certification to meet the minimum eligibility (Level 2 status) requirements. However, they must submit proof that they qualify for Level 2 (or higher) status by the document submission deadline for the specific application period. Failing to do so will result in the revocation of any placement offer.
At least one of the following conditions must be met to qualify for Level 2 status:
Bachelor's degree in Education or education/teaching-related major
- Applicants who possess a bachelor's degree in Education or who majored in an education/teaching-related field qualify for Level 2 status.
- If an applicant has both a bachelor's and a master's degree and at least one of them is in Education or an education/teaching-related field, they will qualify for Level 2+ status.
- Applicants that hold a degree in Education are not required to complete TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification unless their degree focuses more on administration and not on teaching.
Bachelor's degree in any field plus one of the following:
Applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree in Education or an education/teaching-related field must also have at least one of the following qualifications.
- TEFL/TESOL/CELTA Certification
- Certification must be from an accredited course provider/institution, meeting a minimum of 100 real-time learning hours.
- Courses can be completed in-person, online, or a mixture of both.
- The total number of real-time learning hours must be clearly listed on the certificate. If not, then a supplementary letter from the course provider must be submitted to clarify the total number of real-time learning hours. This is especially required if the certificate only lists credit hours.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Valid Teaching License/Credential
- Applicants that hold a PGCE must submit a photocopy of it with their documents to qualify for Level 2 status.
- Teaching licenses/credentials must be issued by an offical education authority, and must still be active/valid at the time of the contract start date to qualify for Level 2 status.
- Registration with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) will be recognized under this category.
- For Indian nationals, a valid teaching license/credential in English education issued by an official education authority is required. TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification does not fulfill this requirement.
