Essential Components:
* A strong undergraduate degree (Bachelor's): This forms the foundation of your subject matter expertise. The specific degree will depend entirely on the subject you intend to teach (e.g., a Bachelor's in History to teach History, a Bachelor's in Engineering to teach Engineering). A high GPA is generally expected.
* A postgraduate degree (Master's): Almost universally required, this demonstrates advanced knowledge and research skills in your chosen field. It often involves specialized coursework and sometimes a thesis or dissertation.
* A doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent): While not always strictly *required* for all teaching positions, particularly at lower levels or in some vocational areas, a PhD is almost always a *prerequisite* for achieving a permanent, tenure-track position at a university, especially for research-intensive universities. The PhD involves significant independent research and contribution to knowledge in your field.
Beyond the Degrees:
* Teaching experience: While some teaching experience might be gained during postgraduate studies (e.g., teaching assistant roles), many universities prefer candidates with demonstrable teaching experience, perhaps from prior teaching positions, workshops, tutoring, or other relevant settings.
* Research experience: Especially for tenure-track positions, a strong research record, including publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations, is critical.
* Subject-specific knowledge and skills: This will naturally be acquired through your undergraduate and postgraduate studies. It encompasses deep theoretical understanding and practical application in your chosen discipline.
* Communication and interpersonal skills: University teaching requires excellent communication skills (both written and oral), the ability to engage students, and effective interaction with colleagues and administrators.
* Relevant professional certifications or licenses: Depending on the field (e.g., law, medicine, engineering), specific professional qualifications may be needed in addition to the academic degrees.
In summary, while a Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD in a relevant field are the core academic requirements, the path to becoming a university teacher also involves cultivating strong teaching, research, and communication skills. You should check the specific requirements of the universities and departments you are interested in applying to, as these can vary significantly.