What must I study to become a teacher in South Africa?

You study a four-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree. If you already have a degree, you can do a one-year PGCE instead. Both let you register with SACE and teach.

How long does it take to become a teacher?

The BEd degree takes four years. The PGCE takes one year, but only after you already have a degree.

How much does a teacher earn in South Africa?

In a government school, a new teacher starts at about R18,000 a month. Pay goes up with years and promotion. Private schools pay differently. These are a guide only.

Do I have to register with SACE?

Yes. You must register with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) to teach at a school. You cannot teach without it.

Can I become a teacher without matric?

No. You need matric with a degree pass to study a BEd. You cannot become a school teacher without matric and a teaching qualification.

How do I become a Grade R or preschool teacher?

You can study a Diploma in Grade R Teaching (three years), or a BEd in Foundation Phase. For younger children, the Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education is a shorter first step, offered at TVET colleges and by distance. All of these can lead up to a full BEd.

What can I do if I don't get into the BEd?

Start with the Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education or a Diploma in Grade R Teaching. Both need lower marks and can lead to the BEd. You can also upgrade your matric and apply again.

How to become a teacher in South Africa

A teacher helps learners learn and grow. To teach at a school in South Africa, you need a teaching qualification, and you must register with the South African Council for Educators (SACE). The main way is a four-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree. If you already have a degree, you can add a one-year PGCE. You choose a phase: the young grades, the middle grades, or high school subjects.

You must sign up with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) to do this work.

What does a teacher do?

Teachers help learners learn and grow. In one day, you plan and give lessons, mark books, help learners who are struggling, keep the class in order, and set tests. You also write reports and talk to parents. Teachers shape the future of every child they teach.

Where you can work

Government (public) schools
Private and independent schools
Special needs schools
Early childhood centres
Extra lessons and tutoring
Teaching English overseas (with experience)

Kinds of this work

Foundation Phase (Grade R to 3)Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 to 6)Senior Phase (Grade 7 to 9)High school subjects (Grade 10 to 12)Special needs teachingEarly childhood (ECD)

Is this job right for you?

This job is good for you if

You like working with children or teenagers
You are patient and can explain things in more than one way
You stay calm and can keep a class in order
You are organised and plan ahead
You care about young people doing well
You keep learning and stay up to date

The hard parts

Big classes can be hard to manage
You take marking and planning home
Some learners have hard home lives
The pay is not high for the first few years
You must keep your subject knowledge fresh
It can be tiring, but it is rewarding

How you can grow

Your job can get bigger over time. This is a common path.

1
Teacher (post level 1)
You teach your classes and mark your learners' work.
2
Senior teacher or Head of Department (HOD)
You lead a subject or a phase and help other teachers.
3
Deputy principal
You help run the school and support the staff.
4
Principal
You lead the whole school.
5
Study more or specialise
You can become a subject advisor or an education official, or study to Honours and Master's.

Steps to become a teacher

1
Pass matric with a degree pass and the right subjects
You need a degree pass and good English. For high school, be strong in the subjects you want to teach.
2
Pick your way in
No degree yet? Do the four-year BEd. Already have a degree? Do the one-year PGCE.
3
Apply, and ask for money help
Apply to a university before it closes. Apply for the Funza Lushaka bursary and NSFAS early.
4
Do your teaching practice
You teach in real schools during your studies, with a mentor teacher to help you.
5
Finish, register with SACE, and start teaching
When you finish, register with SACE. Now you can teach at a school.

Questions people ask

Written and checked by the NavyBlue Editorial Team. Last updated 2026-07-15. Pay numbers are a guide only. Where we got this: SACE (registration), Funza Lushaka Bursary, Department of Basic Education