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Gain knowledge and skills to be an effective teacher of English with our MA TESOL.
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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA

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Key Facts

  • Level

    PostgraduatePG MA

  • Duration

    Full Time: 1 Year
    Part Time: 2 Years

  • Starting

    September, January

    SEP, JAN

Updated 20/11/2025

Updated 20/11/2025

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

Overview

English is a global language used daily in business, education and the media by many people for whom it is a second rather than a ‘native’ language. This Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages masters course has been designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to be an effective teacher of the language. Applying the insights of linguistic research into how English is learned and used in a wide variety of situations, the programme with its practical focus will help you become a resourceful, reflective and confident professional in the field of TESOL.

Highlights

  • Gaining work experience by working closely with teaching staff on the TESOL MA.
  • Develop your skills and confidence in teaching through applying theory to practice by observing lessons, planning tasks and micro-teaching to peers.
  • Opportunities of joining professional organisations and attend conferences, seminars and social events.
  • Eligible for 20% Graduate Discount Scheme.

Entry Requirements

To study this masters in TESOL course, you will need either:

  • An honours degree from a UK University awarded at lower second or above in English, Humanities or in a Foreign Language or an equivalent professional qualification

Or

  • An honours degree from a recognised University outside the UK awarded at lower second or above in English, Humanities or in a Foreign Language or an equivalent professional qualification

Applicants who have a Diploma in English, Humanities or in a Foreign Language or an equivalent professional qualification plus recent teaching experience of two years or more will be positively considered. In this case the applicant will usually be interviewed and must demonstrate suitability for the programme.

For information on how to apply to study with us as an international applicant, please see our How to Apply page.

All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 with no score below 6.0 (or equivalent)
    for study at postgraduate level.

For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

Course Content

On the masters in TESOL, you will study on 4 modules and complete a thesis module:

  • EDUM134 Approaches to Language Learning – Theory and Method (30 Credits)

Students examine development of theories of second language acquisition (SLA), focusing on linguistic, psychological & social processes underlying SLA in a range of contexts.

  • EDUM135 English Language Teaching in Practice (30 Credits)

Teaching English masters students develop key skills required for effective teaching of the four language skills and explore a range of strategies, techniques and technologies, applying them to different classroom contexts.

  • EDUM136 Classroom Language Assessment and Test Construction (30 Credits)

Students will be introduced to the key concepts, issues & methods of language testing, drawing attention to the principles underpinning different testing/evaluation systems & their impact on students/educational institutions.

  • EDUM155 Materials Development & Course Design (30 credits)

TESOL MA students develop a critical understanding of theoretical approaches or frameworks in English language teaching materials development and course design. Students evaluate commercially produced materials, and apply those approaches or frameworks to designing course and learning materials for specific groups of learners and the contexts in which they are taught.

  • EDUM100 Research Thesis (60 Credits)

Students develop a critical understanding of the purposes/ methodologies of academic research & apply this to specific area of language research, relevant to their needs, professional practice or personal interest.

Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.

  • Module code: EDUM135
    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to:This module will help students develop those key skills required for the effective teaching of the four language skills: speaking listening reading, writing. Enhancing these skills will involve a focus on phonetics/phonology; the grammar of spoken discourse; different reading strategies and on developing an awareness of different discourse genres.
  • Module code: EDUM134
    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to examine the development of theories of second language acquisition (SLA), focusing on the linguistic, psychological and social processes underlying SLA in a range of contexts. To consider how evolving research into learner differences, types of motivation and interlanguages has influenced language teaching.
  • Module code: EDUM136
    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is ?To introduce students to the key concepts, issues and methods of language testing, drawing attention to the principles that underpin different testing/evaluation systems and the way these impact on students and educational institutions.
  • Module code: EDUM155
    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to develop students? critical understanding of theoretical approaches or frameworks in English language teaching materials development and course design. Students evaluate commercially produced materials, and apply those approaches or frameworks to designing course and learning materials for specific groups of learners and the contexts in which they are taught.
  • Module code: EDUM170
    Status: Compulsory

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted for the TESOL MA relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £8,500
  • UK – Part Time: £1,417.50 per 30 credits
  • International – Full Time: £17,495

There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2025. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Fees quoted for the TESOL MA relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £8,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,380 per 30 credits
  • International – Full Time: £16,995

Staff

Placeholder image for Qian Zhang, Senior Lecturer in English as a Second Language

Senior Lecturer in English as a Second Language
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA

Qian Zhang
Hazel McAllister, Senior Lecturer in Educational Linguistics

Senior Lecturer in Educational Linguistics
Faculty of Business and Law

Hazel McAllister
Bob Fisher, Senior Lecturer in Educational Linguistics

Senior Lecturer in Educational Linguistics
Faculty of Business and Law

Bob Fisher

Careers and Employability

TESOL MA Graduates should be able to seek employment opportunities in a wide variety of areas including:

  • English language teaching in any education sector (this may depend on having fulfilled primary teaching qualifications in the countries in which you choose to work as the MA would not be a substitute for such qualifications).
  • Teacher training.
  • Testing: both in supporting existing testing programmes and developing programmes in companies developing and implementing communication skills training.
  • Continued academic research in areas of interest developed as a consequence of involvement in this course, e.g. PhD.

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