Teaching in private, state-funded private (concertada) and international schools

Key rules

• Hiring: Private, concertada and international schools hire directly, with no oposición.
• Concertada titles: Concertada schools ask for the same qualifications as public schools.
• International schools: They mostly want your home-system teaching qualification, such as a PGCE with QTS.
• Spanish curriculum: Any Spanish-curriculum subject needs Spanish-recognised titles, even in an international school.

The short answer

Schools outside the public system hire you directly. There is no oposición. Each school sets its own hiring rules, but the law still sets which titles you need for each level, and that depends on the type of school. International schools mostly want their own curriculum credentials, such as a British or American teaching qualification.

Private schools (not state-funded)

These schools must employ teachers with the legally required title for the level:

• Infantil and Primaria: the matching teaching degree or an equivalent.
• Secundaria and Bachillerato: a relevant degree plus the teaching master (or the older equivalent).
• Some specialty subjects have exceptions.

A foreign title generally needs recognition in Spain to count. Inspection practice and the treatment of foreign titles can differ by region, so ask the school and the regional education authority before you rely on your title.

Concertada schools

A concertada school is privately owned but publicly funded. The qualifications are the same as in public schools: the teaching degree for Infantil and Primaria, and a degree plus the master or equivalent for Secundaria and Bachillerato.

The school owner hires and dismisses staff, and the school council takes part in selection. The regional administration pays the teachers. Hiring follows the collective agreement for concertada schools. Regions can add their own selection rules. The education authority approves your contract for pay purposes, so ask the school how that approval works in its region.

International schools

British, American and IB schools usually ask for:

• A university degree plus a teaching qualification from the home system. For British-curriculum schools that means a PGCE or equivalent with QTS. For American schools it means a US state teaching licence. For IB, an IB-recognised certificate.
• One to three years of classroom experience.
• Native or near-native English.
• A work authorisation, if you are not an EU citizen.

Many of these schools hire graduates without Spanish recognition of their degree, because foreign-curriculum classes are not part of the official Spanish curriculum. The exact requirements are in each school's job advert.

There is one catch. If you would teach any Spanish-curriculum subjects, you need Spanish-recognised titles for those.

What to do

Work out which type of school you are applying to, then check the title for your level. Use the checklist below, and the documents list for what to prepare. If you are not an EU citizen, ask about work authorisation before you accept an offer.

Documents you need

• Your university teaching degree for Infantil or Primaria, or your relevant degree plus the teaching master or equivalent for Secundaria and Bachillerato, for a concertada school.

• Your teaching qualification from your home system for an international school: a PGCE or equivalent with QTS, a US state teaching licence, or an IB-recognised certificate, depending on the school's curriculum.

• Proof of your classroom experience, usually one to three years, for an international school.

• A work authorisation, if you are not an EU citizen, for an international school.

• Your employment contract, which the education authority approves for pay purposes in a concertada school.

Checklist

• Identify which type of school you are applying to: private, concertada or international.

• Check the title required for the level you want to teach: a teaching degree for Infantil and Primaria, or a degree plus the teaching master or equivalent for Secundaria and Bachillerato.

• Ask the school whether your foreign title needs recognition in Spain to count for the post.

• Read the international school's job advert for the curriculum credential it wants, such as a PGCE with QTS, a US state licence or an IB certificate.

• Confirm how many years of classroom experience and what level of English the school asks for.

• Apply directly to the school, since private and concertada schools hire without an oposición.

Frequently asked questions

Can I teach in an international school without Spanish recognition of my degree?

Often yes, because many international schools hire graduates without Spanish recognition for classes in the foreign curriculum. Those classes are not part of the official Spanish curriculum. Any Spanish-curriculum subject taught there still needs a Spanish-recognised title.

Which qualifications do British and American curriculum schools ask for?

British-curriculum schools usually ask for a degree plus a PGCE or equivalent and QTS, and American schools ask for a US state teaching licence. IB schools want an IB-recognised certificate. Most also ask for one to three years of classroom experience and native or near-native English.

Do I need a work permit to teach in an international school?

Yes, if you are not an EU citizen, you need a work authorisation to be hired by an international school. Schools usually list this in the job advert. Ask the school early whether it will support your application.

How are teachers hired in concertada schools compared with public schools?

Concertada teachers need the same qualifications as public school teachers, but you apply to the school, not through an oposición.