MSc Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

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Our course draws on in-depth practice from across the TESOL sector so you'll graduate with the knowledge and practical classroom skills to be a confident teacher.

Key facts

Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate
Start date September 2021, September 2022
Duration MSc full-time: 12 months, MSc part-time: 24 months
Mode of study Part-time, Full-time, Campus based, Stand-alone modules

Overview

This Masters will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the principles and practice of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Our course is an advanced training and professional qualification for people who either work in, or plan to work in, any area of teaching English to speakers of other languages. It's suitable for both novice and experienced teachers. You’ll graduate with the knowledge and practical classroom skills to be a confident, critically reflective and enterprising teacher.

You will join a multinational network, and benefit from being taught by professionals who have experience of living and teaching all over the world. The course offers an excellent balance between theory and practice using a range of cutting-edge, innovative teaching methods. It also draws on best practice from across the TESOL sector, focusing on the development of advanced professional capabilities and knowledge in language learning and teaching.

As a TESOL student at the University of Stirling, you'll also have an opportunity to apply for a placement at one of our partner universities in Japan, Germany, Hungary or our partner institution in France, and put your learning into practice

Pathways

You can work towards our core Masters degree, the MSc TESOL, or opt to specialise in one of the following pathways of study:

MSc TESOL and Applied Linguistics
MSc TESOL and Methodology
MSc in TESOL and Sociolinguistics

Top reasons to study with us

Top 5 in Scotland and Top 20 in the UK for Education (The Guardian University Guide 2021)

You’ll be taught by experienced professionals who have lived and taught around the globe

Apply for a placement opportunity at one of our partner universities in Germany or Hungary

Work placements

English language work placements provide an opportunity to put into practice the teaching skills and theories you have learned as part of your programme of study.

Flexible learning

If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.

Research overview

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, Educational research at the University of Stirling had the highest quality of research outputs of any Scottish university, with 100% classed as either world-leading or internationally excellent. Our expert teaching team are on hand to introduce you to cutting-edge empirical and theoretical research in a multi-disciplinary and professional environment.

Entry requirements

Please select your country of residence:

Academic requirements

A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

Those entering the TESOL full-time programme with a recent Cambridge or Trinity DELTA will get exemption from TESP002 TESOL 'Methodology' and TESPOO4, ‘Grammar for TESOL’.

Other routes of entry

If you don’t currently meet the academic requirements for this course, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need for direct entry.

Explore INTO Stirling programmes to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available for this course and others at the University of Stirling.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

IELTS Indicator 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in speaking and listening
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 overall with a minimum of 169 in reading and writing and with 162 in speaking and listening
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 169 in reading and writing and 162 in speaking and listening
Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with a minimum of 60 in reading and writing and 59 in speaking and listening
IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 20 in speaking, 18 in reading and 23 in writing
IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 80 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 20 in speaking, 18 in reading and 23 in writing
Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a minimum of Merit in all sub-skills, Trinity III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISEIV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
Duolingo 105 overall with a minimum of 95 in reading and writing and 90 in speaking and listening
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

Last updated: 1 February 2021

If you are from India, Ghana or Nigeria please also check your country/region specific page for any additional, or changes to, English language requirements.

For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.

Pre-sessional English language courses

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.

Course details

Modules

The module information below is intended only as an example of what you may study and features details for the current academic year (2021/22). Modules are regularly reviewed and are subject to future changes.

Course Details

Teaching

Delivery of modules is carried out mainly through seminars, workshops and video tutorials. Practical teaching skills are developed through classroom observation and videoed peer teaching sessions. Learning and professional development is facilitated by regular guided group work tasks.

Assessment

Progress is assessed by coursework assignments and, for the Masters, the dissertation.

The Postgraduate Certificate in TESOL is awarded on the successful completion of 60 coursework modules worth 60 credits.
The Postgraduate Diploma in TESOL is awarded on successful completion of coursework modules worth 120 credits.
The Masters (MSc) TESOL is awarded upon successful completion of coursework modules worth 120 credits plus a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Study abroad

As a student on our MSc TESOL you have the fantastic opportunity to gain valuable work experience teaching English to non-English speakers in 33 European countries through Erasmus+ traineeships.

The University of Stirling has also developed close working partnerships with universities around the world to make finding a placement as seamless as possible and give you tailored teaching and learning opportunities. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for a placement with:

Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany

Undertake class observation, small group work supervision and teaching assistance in a local high school. During the school holiday, you will have a chance to work with materials development or with writing support at the university.

Széchenyi István University, Hungary

Get involved in class observation and teaching at the university or the university’s practice school.

More information on applying for these opportunities will be provided to students undertaking our MSc TESOL course.

Course director

Anne Lawrie

tesol@stir.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1786 467681

Key staff

TESOL Course Director, Anne Lawrie, explains more about the courses on offer and why Stirling is one of the leading institutions for education in Scotland.

Ask an expert in TESOL

Anne Lawrie TESOL Programme Director

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Select fee status:

	2021/22	2022/23
Students from the UK	£7,700	£8,200
Students from the Republic of Ireland	£7,700	£8,200
Overseas (non-EU) students	£18,645	£19,145
European Union students	£18,645	£19,145

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.

If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Tuition fee loans

Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £10,000 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.

English students can apply for a loan of up to £11,570 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.

Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,025 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.

Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.

If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

If you need to extend your period of study, you will be liable for additional fees.

If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

We offer a range of funding options for overseas students.

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.

If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

Scholarships and funding

This course is currently approved for PTFL (Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan) funding from SAAS.

If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.

Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.

Cost of living

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

European Union and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling

Payment options

We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

Graduates will leave with an advanced knowledge and understanding of the TESOL sector, enabling them to take on more responsibility in current or future roles overseas or in the UK.

For more experienced teachers, the qualification has provided access to positions with the British Council or in the tertiary sector.

On completion of the MSc TESOL, overseas graduates will be well prepared to sit all three modules of the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations TKT.

Testimonial quotes

MSc TESOL courses at Stirling provide participants with a fantastic opportunity to engage with experts in the field of language education and the opportunity to consider the relevance of cutting edge research to their own learning and teaching context.

Fiona Copland, TESOL Professor‌

Employability skills

We’re committed to enhancing your employability. Once you register for the MSc TESOL, you’ll have access to the first-class range of services offered by our Career Development Centre. We also provide you with a tailored workshop series entitled “My career in TESOL” aimed at developing your awareness of continuous professional development, your knowledge of job market requirements and your confidence in applying for jobs.

You’ll have access to numerous options for further development offered by the Institute for Advanced Studies and by the Faculty of Social Sciences.

What our students said

View more student stories

Yang Liu
China
MSc TESOL

The best part of my course is the micro-teaching module. It offers students the opportunity to practice teaching in a simulated class, which is a good way to build confidence and overcome your nerves.

Read Yang's story

Yang (Charles) Wang
China
MSc Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

I graduated in 2015 and currently work in Higher English Education Publishing Division, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press. I’m the Deputy Director of the College English Publishing Department. All I learned in Stirling is relevant to my current job which is about designing English textbook for Chinese university students.

Read Yang (Charles)'s story

Peerapat Singlong
Thailand
MSc Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Studying at Stirling has helped me build my self-confidence and prepared me to be competitive in the jobs market. If I had to sum up my time studying at Stirling in three words then they’d have to be: welcoming, friendly, nature.

Read Peerapat's story

View more student stories

Changes at Stirling

Find out about important changes including how you'll be taught, start dates and how we're making campus safer.

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