What Are the Application Requirements for CELTA?
- Connor O'Donoghue
- Jul 12
- 3 min read
If you’re thinking about applying for a CELTA course, you might be wondering: Do I need a degree? Do I need teaching experience? Do I need to be a native speaker?
Good news! The answer to all of these questions is no. Let’s break down the key application requirements so you know what’s expected (and what’s not).
Do I need a degree or teaching qualification?
No, you don’t need a degree or a prior teaching qualification to apply for a CELTA. Cambridge recommends that applicants have a level of education that would allow entry to higher education. In the UK, that’s typically A-levels. But people apply from all over the world, and many have a variety of educational backgrounds. As well as this, some applicants have don't have A-levels, and instead have GCSEs or other school or college certificates. In these cases, the application process and interview are there to assess whether you have the academic capability to handle the course.
What level is CELTA?
In the UK qualification framework, CELTA is a Level 5 qualification, roughly equivalent in level (not content or credit) to the first year of a university degree.
This means you don’t need to already know how to teach, but you do need to show you can cope with reading, writing, planning, and reflecting at a university level.
Do I need to be a native English speaker to do a CELTA course?
Not at all! In fact, around half of CELTA candidates worldwide are non-native speakers.
You don’t need to present an official certificate like IELTS or Cambridge CAE to prove your English level, although it can help. What matters is that you demonstrate the right language level: high C1 (advanced).
To give you an idea, that’s about:
IELTS 7.5
Cambridge CAE Grade A or B
But if you don’t have an official certificate, don’t worry. Language level is assessed through the application tasks and the interview, where you’ll complete language exercises and discuss ideas about teaching and language.
Do I need to be an expert in grammar or teaching?
No, you’re not expected to be an expert before you start.
The CELTA is designed for people with little or no teaching experience. During the application and interview process, you will be asked some grammar-related questions or asked to reflect on how people learn, but the goal is not to test your knowledge. It’s to see if you can engage in a conversation about teaching and language.
This matters because on the course, you’ll do assisted lesson planning and language analysis. If you show curiosity, openness, and a willingness to think about teaching, you’re already in a good place.
What does the CELTA application process look for?
The main thing the CELTA application process assesses is: Does this candidate have the potential to pass the course?
That means:
They are motivated and ready to learn.
They can reflect on language and teaching ideas.
They are open to feedback and not panicked by new concepts.
They show the capacity to plan lessons and complete written assignments with guidance.
The interview isn’t about finding the “best” teachers. It’s about checking if you’re ready for this beginner-level qualification.
Ready to start your CELTA journey?
Whether you’re a career changer, a recent graduate, or a non-native speaker ready to teach internationally, the CELTA is open to you. If you’re interested, here’s how to take the next step!
Want to check if CELTA is right for you? Join our next free webinar to find out more!
Dr Connor O'Donoghue hails from Ireland and he started teaching English as a foreign language in Poland in 2003 and he became a CELTA trainer in 2008. He has taught and trained in Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Slovenia, Macedonia, Poland, Russia, Kazakhstan and Vietnam. Connor also holds a Masters and a PhD in Education from Trinity College in Dublin. He has previously managed large teacher training centres in Vietnam and in London before founding DC Teacher Training.
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