TESOL MA, PGDip, PGCert

1 year, full-time

Ideal if you'd like to join the TESOL profession but have little or no prior teaching experience. You’ll develop your professional skills by observing and reflecting on language learning and gain practical teaching experience with beginner learners of English. Explore how English works and is used and expand your knowledge of contemporary ELT pedagogy. Take the opportunity to gain an additional teaching qualification with the Cambridge Teacher Knowledge Test (TKT).   

TESOL MA, PGDip, PGCert, 1 year, full-time

Ideal if you'd like to join the TESOL profession but have little or no prior teaching experience. You’ll develop your professional skills by observing and reflecting on language learning and gain practical teaching experience with beginner learners of English. Explore how English works and is used and expand your knowledge of contemporary ELT pedagogy. Take the opportunity to gain an additional teaching qualification with the Cambridge Teacher Knowledge Test (TKT).   

Course information

UK fee £9,900

International fee £19,750

Taught by Education

Course description

Course description

You'll gain in-depth subject knowledge about language structure and language use, as well as contemporary pedagogical approaches and research associated with language learning and teaching.

Tutors with international experience and expertise in researching a range of TESOL issues will help you develop your understanding of teaching and hone your skills in core modules designed specifically for novice language teachers. 

You will develop your professional skills through observation of experienced teachers and reflection on language learning while attending a foreign language class. You will also gain practical teaching experience with beginner learners of English.

Throughout the course, you will be supported in the development of your academic study skills while also receiving individual guidance from your Personal Tutor. You will join a thriving, international academic community of fellow students and academics, completing individual and collaborative tasks and engaging in independent study.

This course offers you the opportunity to gain an additional teaching qualification with the Cambridge TKT (the internationally recognised Teaching Knowledge Test) for no extra cost. The qualification is internationally recognised, suitable for new and experienced teachers working with primary, secondary or adult learners.

You will also have the opportunity to complement your studies by taking the widely-recognised CELTA teaching qualification. We offer a 50% discount on this internationally recognised level 5 ELT award offered by Cambridge Assessment.

What's the difference?

For the MA you will complete all core modules and two optional modules, plus a traditional dissertation or Professional Enquiry Dissertation. For the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) you will complete all core modules plus two of the optional modules. For the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) you will complete two out of three core modules.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • 2:2 or above in a relevant subject, or equivalent.
  • Some language teaching experience or previous teacher training to show your engagement with, and commitment to, teaching English as a second or foreign language.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with at least 6.0 in each component score. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Countries list

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK Students

This is the total course fee.

Starting in September 2023

  • MA: £9,900

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you're eligible.

International Students

This is the total course fee.

Starting in September 2023

  • MA: £19,750

You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

Our degrees are highly valued by educational employers and our MA qualification will help you to raise your profile when seeking to advance your career as a language teaching professional. The field of English Language Teaching is increasingly competitive, and many organisations see a Master's level qualification as an essential requirement.

An MA from the University of Leicester indicates to employers that you have up-to-date knowledge and have developed critical and transferable skills that will equip you to take on a more senior role in the language teaching programme of any educational institution. Indeed, many of our past MA students have gone on to gain promotion or move into new, more demanding jobs on completion of the programme.

Our Career Development Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.

Related courses

Related courses



Course structure

MA modules

MA modules

Core modules

  • Teaching and Learning a Second Language
  • Exploring Grammar and Pronunciation: From Theory to Practice
  • Practising and Reflecting on Communicative Language Teaching

Research Methods and Dissertation

Research Methods and Dissertation, with an assessed proposal, allows you to focus on a particular area of interest or expertise. Research Methods input prepares you for writing a proposal. You will then conduct a small-scale research study based on a topic of your own choice, developed under the guidance of your supervisor.

You can choose either a traditional Research Methods and Dissertation or a Professional Enquiry Dissertation, the latter focusing on the practical applications of what you have learnt.

Option modules

Choose two option modules from:

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

PGDip modules

PGDip modules

Core modules

  • Teaching and Learning a Second Language
  • Exploring Grammar and Pronunciation: From Theory to Practice
  • Practising and Reflecting on Communicative Language Teaching

Option modules

Choose two option modules from:

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

PGCert modules

PGCert modules

Choose two modules from:

  • Teaching and Learning a Second Language
  • Exploring Grammar and Pronunciation: From Theory to Practice
  • Practising and Reflecting on Communicative Language Teaching

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Why Leicester?

Tailor your degree according to your interests and professional needs with optional modules. Choose either a traditional dissertation or a Professional Enquiry dissertation.

Learn from tutors with international reputations and expertise in researching and developing ELT teachers’ reflective practice.

You can gain the Cambridge TKT – an internally recognised teaching qualification – for no extra cost.

We offer a 50% discount on the internationally recognised CELTA teaching qualification.

Teaching and learning

Comprehensive, research-informed module materials will deepen your knowledge of TESOL and develop skills in language analysis.  

You will learn in a supportive environment with your fellow students and staff, studying through a range of synchronous and asynchronous activities. Your teaching will consist of lectures, seminars and workshops, with tutorial support. You will be assessed through written assignments, presentations and project work, depending on the particular module.

You will also have full access to our support services, as well as our virtual learning environment 'Blackboard' which offers a wide range of study support material. 

Learning support

Who can you turn to when you have questions or need support?

  • Personal tutor (for the taught modules and general support)
  • Supervisor (for the dissertation)
  • Module convenor (for each module)
  • Programme leader (throughout the programme)
  • University counselling and welfare service (if you need it)

Key dates

September 2023 start

  • Application deadline: 21 July 2023 (Please note this deadline is subject to change dependant on course capacity. If the capacity limit of this course is met before the deadline, applications will be closed early.)
  • Deposit payment deadline: 7 August 2023
  • CAS request deadline: 1 September 2023
  • 50% payment deadline: 1 September 2023

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration Start Dates Availability
Course TESOL Qualification MA Duration 1 year full-time Start Dates September each year Availability Apply Now
Course TESOL Qualification PGDip Duration 1-2 years, full- or part-time Start Dates September each year Availability

Our online application system is currently unavailable. Find out more.

 

Course TESOL Qualification PGCert Duration 1-2 years, full- or part-time Start Dates September each year Availability

Our online application system is currently unavailable. Find out more.

 

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