Postgraduate course
TESOL MA
Our Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages course gives you the skills and knowledge required to teach English in countries across the globe.

Whether you are currently a TESOL professional or wish to pursue this career in the future, this course equips you to teach English around the globe. You will study alongside students from across the world, gaining experience of different nationalities and educational cultures. This gives you the chance to increase your cross-cultural understanding.
York campus
- Duration – 1 year full time | 2 years part time
- Start date – September 2021
- School – School of Education, Language and Psychology
Minimum Entry Requirements
2:2 undergraduate degree
IELTS 7.0 if English is not your first language
Tuition Fees
UK and EU 2020-21 £6,500 full time
International 2020-21 £12,750 full time
Course overview
Join our master's course in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). You might have finished your undergraduate studies and want to boost your career. Or maybe you have non-ESOL related teaching experience and want to broaden your expertise. This is a course that can change your life and allow you to pursue new career avenues. In 18 months, you could be living abroad, teaching English. We give you the skills and experience to teach English across the world.
Our approach to teaching TESOL focuses on teaching English in a multilingual world. You will explore theoretical issues in second language learning and apply these to your teaching. We will also give you the opportunity to gain practical experience in lesson planning and delivery. Explore how to adapt materials and methods to a range of teaching situations.
You can also gain hands-on TESOL experience through our community programmes.
- On our YESOL (York: English speakers of Other Languages) programme you can hold evening classes for the local community. These aim to help our community improve their English language skills.
- YEAL (York: English as an Additional Language) is a student led voluntary outreach programme. You will be placed in a local school and work with EAL pupils to improve their English language skills.
We offer you the opportunity to take a CELTA course free of charge as part of your degree. CELTA is the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Speakers of Other languages. It is an internationally-recognised teaching qualification awarded by Cambridge Assessment English. You will gain hands-on teaching experience that will prepare you for a career in teaching English. Acceptance onto this course is subject to successful interview.
This programme is part of a suite of TESOL master's courses. Not sure which one to choose? Take a look at our other programmes:
Course structure
Level 1
Modules
Credits: 30
Compulsory module
Discover key theoretical issues in second language learning and relate them to your own teaching context.
Credits: 30
Compulsory module
Learn about myths which circulate in popular discourse and your role in challenging these as a future TESOL professional.
Credits: 30
Compulsory module
Gain practical experience in lesson planning and delivery and learn to explore how to adapt materials and methods to diverse contexts.
Credits: 30
Compulsory module
Discover a variety of approaches to research used in TESOL and the broader field of Applied Linguistics, and explore links between research and your professional practice.
Credits: 60
Compulsory module
This module gives you the freedom to either conduct an independent research project related to TESOL, or to carry out a related pedagogical engagement activity.
Teaching and assessment
You are encouraged to play an active role in your own learning. Module tutors will take the role of facilitators, encouraging you to think outside your own sphere of reference. You will be encouraged to share your experience and reflections through in-class dialogue. A proactive approach to learning will be promoted.
You will be helped to acquire the key skills appropriate to taught postgraduate study. These include:
- Evaluation of your own achievement and that of others
- The ability to develop professional relationships
- Self-direction and effective decision-making and time management
- Independent learning
- The ability to work in a way that encourages continuing professional development.
The programme employs a range of teaching, learning practices including:
- Lectures (with supporting materials posted on the VLE)
- Tutor and student-led seminars; workshops and discussion groups
- Independent study and research
- Collection and analysis of data.
We use a range of assessment methods on the course. They cater for a diverse range of preferences in assessment type. These include:
- Essays
- Self-reflection
- Data analysis
- Videos
- Peer teaching
- Critical reviews
You will receive support and feedback on assessments prior to submission. You will also receive feedback on each submitted assessment. This will allow you to continually improve your academic work.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum Entry Requirements
2:2 undergraduate degree
IELTS 7.0 if English is not your first language
Entry onto this postgraduate course requires a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate degree in a related subject.
If your undergraduate degree is not in a related discipline but you can provide evidence of professional experience in a relevant field, your application may still be considered.
International Students
If you are an international student, you will need to show that your qualifications are equivalent to those above.
If your first language is not English you must show evidence of English Language competence at IELTS level 7.0 overall, with no skill below 6.0, or equivalent.
APEL policy
If you can't meet these minimum requirements it may be possible to take into account evidence of Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) as an alternative method of meeting the programme’s entry requirements. In such a case, appropriate references and records of employment might be presented to support the applicant’s case for admission.
Fees and Funding
UK & EU 2020 - 21
The tuition fee for 2020 entry to this postgraduate course is £6,500 for full-time UK/EU, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
For UK/EU, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students studying part time, the tuition fee for 2020 entry to this postgraduate course is £3,250 per year.
Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about postgraduate funding opportunities.
International (non-EU) 2020 - 21
The tuition fee for 2020 entry to this postgraduate course is £12,750 for international students.
Due to immigration laws, international students on a Student Visa must be studying full-time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
More information about funding your studies is available on our International Fees and Funding page.
Tuition Fees
UK and EU 2020-21 £6,500 full time
International 2020-21 £12,750 full time
Alumni Scholarships
If you are an alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.
Additional costs and financial support
COURSE-RELATED COSTS
Whilst studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING COSTS
View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.
Apply for this course
You can apply directly to the course via our Apply Now links. Please select the variant of the course that you intend to undertake (full time or part time) as the link will take you to a customised form for the specific course.
You will need to create a login and password and complete the online form. Please contact two referees in advance of submitting your application as an automated request will go out as soon as you submit, and your application will not be reviewed until both references are in place.
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Dawn TESOL MA
My MA TESOL has proved to be, by far, the most useful teaching qualification I've earnt. The combination of modules gave me an excellent foundation for my teaching career. The tutors were all highly experienced and incredibly knowledgeable about their subjects, and always conveyed their passion and enthusiasm.
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Wafa TESOL MA
The TESOL course at York St John University taught me to critique and reflect. It gave me a voice that could be heard, helped me find a job and progressed my aspiration of doing a PhD in contemporary linguistics.
Andrew TESOL MA
I have learnt so much about applied linguistics, teaching and research, the teaching staff make their lessons engaging so our classes were both interesting and fun. Our cohort had a mixture of students from around the world, and I have made some amazing friends that I know I will have for life.