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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages MA

1 year full-time, starting in September 2025

Prepare for a career in the fast-evolving world of English language teaching. You’ll gain fresh perspectives on English language education across the globe.

Our MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) course is a specialist master's suitable for anyone working - or aspiring to work - in the field of teaching English as an international language.

Throughout the course, you’ll be challenged to think differently about how English is used, taught and learnt worldwide. You’ll analyse its role as the world’s major international language, challenge the assumptions many have about its use, and explore current issues and debates.

Gain up-to-date knowledge and skills

Working with expert tutors who have taught English around the world, you’ll explore professional practice, research and theory, to enhance your knowledge of the latest developments in TESOL. All of the teaching staff you’ll work with are active researchers, so the knowledge you’ll gain will be relevant and contemporary.

As well as this, you’ll develop advanced academic and communication skills, to give you a solid foundation for future careers and doctoral study.

We place particular emphasis on helping you to apply the latest thinking about English language teaching to different social and cultural contexts, including your own. In addition to core units, you will have the opportunity to:

  • attend specialised teacher training workshops to gain expertise in relevant classroom procedures
  • develop your academic writing, communication and study skills
  • take part in discussions that focus on current key topics and issues in TESOL
  • gain advice from MA TESOL graduates and current PhD students about dissertation and research topics
  • share experiences with language educators from a range of backgrounds and build your international network of professional contacts

Watch our webinar about this course

Learn from experts in the field

You’ll learn from experts in English language teaching, as well as staff in the wider Department of Education. Their passion, knowledge and research shape their teaching to enhance your learning experience.

Enhance your career skills

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • develop appropriate teaching methods and materials to enhance how English is taught in your own country, and other countries around the world
  • use the latest research to reflect on, and inform, your daily practice and decision-making
  • build an international profile and contribute academically and professionally to this rapidly evolving field

You’ll also enhance your employability in a range of fields, including English language teaching, bilingual education, language teacher education, intercultural communication and business communication.

Graduate prospects

Many of our graduates have gone on to work in a range of English language educator roles within schools, colleges and universities; or as academic language tutors, teacher trainers, or educational leaders. Lots of these roles are based in different countries across the world.

Recent graduates have gone on to education roles within organisations such as:

  • Beijing Normal University
  • British Council
  • Dulwich College
  • Kaplan International
  • New Oriental Education & Technology Group
  • University of International Business and Economics, Beijing (UIBE)
  • Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Others have chosen to progress to doctoral study.

2025/26 Academic Year


Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 1 year. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.


Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Educational research design

    10 credits

  • Language awareness

    10 credits

  • Professional skills and practice in TESOL

    10 credits

  • Second language acquisition

    10 credits

Semester 2

Compulsory units

  • Educational research design

    Continued

  • English language curriculum and pedagogies for global contexts

    10 credits

  • Professional skills and practice in TESOL

    Continued

  • Teaching and assessing English as an international language

    10 credits

Summer

Compulsory units

  • Final project

    30 credits

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.


Learning

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Dissertation
  • Essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Portfolio
  • Project output (other than dissertation or report)
  • Reflective assessment
  • Report

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

You are expected to spend approximately 35-40 hours per week studying, with around 8-10 hours of this being structured classes.

This will be made up of a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Some sessions may take place online. You will work as an individual and as part of small groups.

Assessment breakdown

You will experience a balance of different forms of assessment designed to support your professional development. This will include coursework, essays, presentations, portfolio work, reflective assessments, reports, and a dissertation. You will receive formative (unassessed) feedback on your progress in preparation for your graded assessments.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities. Read our Disability Service’s pages for information.

Recognition of professional qualifications


As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘TESOL advanced my career a lot. I had the opportunity to teach in different international backgrounds, but also the opportunity to work in different countries.’
Cielo Castelblanco MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) graduate (Graduating year, 2017)

Entry requirements


Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

Typical offer

You should have a Bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a high 2:2 or above.

To apply for this course you may have an undergraduate degree in any subject.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages MA full-time


Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Extra costs

If you receive an offer, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 when you accept to secure your place. This will be deducted from your tuition fee when you register.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.

Application information


  • Course title
    Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
  • Final award
    MA
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    TDUED-TE01
  • Department
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    31 August 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    31 July 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator

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