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 £10,950
International fee £21,400
Taught by Education
Contact
+44 (0)116 252 3656
EDenquiries@le.ac.uk
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, run in collaboration with our English Language Teaching Unit. We offer a 50% discount on this internationally recognised level 5 ELT award offered by Cambridge Assessment, dependent on eligibility and successful interview.
Try our free online taster course
If you’re interested in finding out more about the field of applied linguistics and how it relates to TESOL, you could try our free, online course Introduction to Applied Linguistics and TESOL.
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 listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in September 2025
- MA: £10,950
- PGDip: £7,295
- PGCert: £3,645
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
Starting in September 2025
- MA: £21,400
- PGDip: £14,250
- PGCert: £7,125
You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition 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 Careers and Employability 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
What our students say
Saudi Arabia to Leicester: My TESOL and Applied Linguistics journey at the University of Leicester
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
Plus either Research Methods and Dissertation or Research Methods and Professional Enquiry Dissertation.
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Psychological Issues in Language Learning
- Materials Design and Development
- Continuing Professional Development for English Language Teachers
- Technology Enhanced Language Learning
- Corpus Linguistics and Language Learning
- Migration, Superdiversity and Language
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:
- Psychological Issues in Language Learning
- Materials Design and Development
- Continuing Professional Development for English Language Teachers
- Technology Enhanced Language Learning
- Corpus Linguistics and Language Learning
- Migration, Superdiversity and Language
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?
Gain practical language teaching and learning experience by teaching students at our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) as well as observing experienced teachers.
You can gain the Cambridge TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) – an internally recognised teaching qualification – for no extra cost.
We offer a 50% discount on the internationally recognised CELTA teaching qualification, subject to eligibility and a successful course application.
Learn from tutors with international reputations and expertise in researching and developing ELT teachers’ skills and competencies.
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 2025 start
- Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
- Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
- CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025
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 year full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course TESOL | Qualification PGDip | Duration 2 years part-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course TESOL | Qualification PGCert | Duration 1-2 years, full- or part-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
