The United Arab Emirates continues to be a sought-after destination for qualified educators worldwide. With competitive salary packages, tax-free income, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, teaching jobs in UAE schools are highly desirable. This step-by-step UAE school job application guide provides everything you need to know — from understanding eligibility to submitting a successful job application.
Why Consider a Teaching Job in UAE?
Working as a teacher in the UAE comes with a variety of benefits:
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Tax-Free Salary packages
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Furnished Accommodation or housing allowance
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Annual Air Tickets to your home country
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Comprehensive Medical Insurance
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Access to world-class schools and multicultural student bodies
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Opportunity to grow professionally in top-tier international institutions
Types of Schools Hiring in the UAE
The UAE boasts a diverse educational ecosystem, offering job opportunities in several types of institutions:
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Public Schools (Managed by the Ministry of Education and Emirates School Establishment)
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Private Schools (British, American, IB, Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, etc.)
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International Schools (Offering global curricula like IB, IGCSE, American, and more)
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Charter Schools (A hybrid of public-private management)
Top School Chains That Frequently Recruit
Some of the most prominent educational groups and school chains regularly posting vacancies include:
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GEMS Education
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Taaleem
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Aldar Education
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SABIS Network
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Brighton College UAE
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Repton School
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Dubai International Academy
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Aspen Heights British School
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for UAE School Jobs
Step 1: Prepare Your Resume and Credentials
Ensure your CV is ATS-compliant, well-structured, and tailored for teaching roles. Include:
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Updated contact information
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Professional photo (passport size, formal attire)
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Clear summary highlighting your years of teaching experience, certifications, and subjects
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Detailed work experience and achievements
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References from previous schools or supervisors
Certificates Required:
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Bachelor’s Degree (minimum), preferably in Education
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Teaching License or Qualification (e.g., PGCE, B.Ed, TEFL for ESL roles)
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Master’s Degree (preferred for leadership positions)
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Police clearance / Criminal background check
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IELTS (for non-native English speakers)
Tip: All educational and professional certificates must be attested by the UAE embassy in your country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.
1. GEMS Education Careers
Website: careers.gemseducation.com
GEMS is the largest private education provider in the Middle East. To apply:
Visit their official careers portal.
Create a profile and upload your CV, certificates, and passport copy.
Search for open vacancies based on location or category.
Apply directly and track your application status.
2. Taaleem Schools Careers
Website: www.taaleem.ae
Taaleem manages several prestigious schools across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Navigate to the "Careers" section.
View openings for teaching, leadership, and support staff roles.
Register with your email and submit your application online.
3. Kings’ Education Careers
Website: www.kings-edu.com
Kings’ Schools are known for offering British curriculum education with excellence.
Visit the website and click on “Work With Us”.
Submit your updated CV and cover letter.
Kings’ often posts opportunities for classroom teachers, SEN coordinators, and SLT positions.
4. Nord Anglia Education Careers
Website: www.nordangliaeducation.com
A premium global school group, Nord Anglia offers top-tier employment packages.
Select "Careers" from the homepage.
Filter jobs by country (UAE) or school name.
Complete the application form and attach references and qualification documents.
5. NYU Abu Dhabi Careers
Website: nyuad.nyu.edu/en
A prestigious institution, NYUAD recruits faculty and administrative staff globally.
Open the “Careers” page.
Click on “Faculty Opportunities” or “Staff Opportunities”.
Register and submit applications for academic or non-academic roles.
6. UAE University Careers
Website: career.ud.ac.ae
UAEU is the oldest and most reputed national university.
Visit the job portal.
Register and login to apply for teaching, research, and technical jobs.
Regularly check for updates and follow up on shortlisted applications.
Step 3: Customize Each Application
Avoid generic applications. Every school values educators who align with its vision, mission, and teaching philosophy. Include a customized cover letter addressing:
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Why you’re interested in that specific school
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How your background aligns with their curriculum
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Examples of past successes relevant to the advertised role
Step 4: Attend Virtual or In-Person Interviews
Once shortlisted, schools may conduct online interviews via Zoom or Teams or schedule an in-person interview if you're already in the UAE.
Be prepared for:
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Demo Lessons (online or recorded)
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Subject-specific questions
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Behavioral assessments aligned with student engagement and classroom management
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References Check
Pro Tip: Dress professionally, be culturally sensitive, and ensure your background setup is clean and distraction-free.
Step 5: Receive Offer Letter and Sign Contract
If selected, you’ll receive a job offer letter detailing:
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Salary and benefits
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Contract duration (usually 2 years)
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Leave entitlements
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Termination clauses
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Start date and onboarding requirements
Review carefully before signing. If unclear, seek advice from recruitment experts or teachers currently working in the UAE.
Step 6: Work Visa Processing and Relocation
After accepting the offer:
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The school applies for your work visa.
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Submit your passport, attested documents, medical fitness certificate, and photographs.
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Wait for the Employment Entry Permit.
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Once in UAE, you’ll complete:
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Medical check-up
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Emirates ID biometric appointment
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Residence visa stamping
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Relocation assistance (flight ticket, hotel stay, airport pick-up) is often provided by reputable schools.
Eligibility Criteria for UAE Teaching Jobs
To be eligible for a teaching position in the UAE, candidates must generally:
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Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education or relevant subject
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Possess a teaching license/certificate
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Have 2-3 years of teaching experience
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Be fluent in English (IELTS/TOEFL may be required for non-native speakers)
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Have a clean police record
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Be medically fit
Note: Requirements vary slightly between emirates. Abu Dhabi (ADEK), Dubai (KHDA), and Sharjah have specific licensing norms.
Commonly Hired Positions in UAE Schools
Here are popular job roles regularly available:
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Primary and Secondary Teachers (Math, English, Science, Social Studies)
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Kindergarten/Early Years Educators
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Subject Specialists (Physics, Biology, Chemistry)
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Special Education Needs (SEN) Teachers
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ICT and Computer Science Teachers
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PE and Art Teachers
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School Librarians
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Vice Principals and Academic Coordinators
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School Counsellors and Career Advisors
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Librarians and Lab Assistants
Salary Range and Benefits
Role | Monthly Salary (AED) |
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KG Teacher | 8,000 – 12,000 |
Primary Teacher | 9,000 – 14,000 |
Secondary Teacher | 11,000 – 16,000 |
Subject Head | 14,000 – 20,000 |
Vice Principal | 18,000 – 25,000 |
Principal | 25,000 – 40,000+ |
Additional Perks:
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Free housing or allowance
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Free education for dependents (select schools)
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Gratuity pay (end of service benefit)
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Annual paid leave and flight tickets
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting Hired
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Get your documents attested early
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Keep your CV concise yet impactful
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Build a professional LinkedIn profile
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Follow schools and HR recruiters on LinkedIn
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Subscribe to school career pages
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Be open to starting positions or relief roles if you're new to UAE
Conclusion
UAE offers exceptional career opportunities for teachers across all grade levels and specializations. With the right preparation, documents, and a personalized approach, your dream of teaching in the UAE can turn into reality. The application process may seem overwhelming at first, but once you follow the steps outlined above, you'll be well-positioned to land a rewarding role in one of the region’s top-tier schools.