Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with a Specialism (MSc) January 2021 entry

The TESOL MSc gives students the opportunity to integrate the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of other languages.

Students who have an interest in a particular field of TESOL can also choose one of five specialism to focus their studies on. Students who choose to study for a TESOL specialism degree follow a similar structure to the TESOL MSc degree and take modules that focus on their chosen specialism.

The five specialisms available are:

Assessment and Evaluation
Teaching Young Learners
English Medium Instruction
English for Academic Purposes
Technology for Teaching

Apply now

Course type

Postgraduate, leading to a Master of Science (MSc)

Course dates

Start date: 25 January 2021
End date: 30 June 2022

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Course duration

18 months full time

Entry requirements

Applications are welcomed from all education systems. A good 2.1 Honours degree or 3.3/4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) is typically required in any discipline. The School also consider applications from students who can provide significant professional or other relevant experience alongside evidence of prior alternative learning such as professional qualifications or certifications. If you require further information about our academic entrance requirements in relation to the education system you studied in, please contact ie@st-andrews.ac.uk

If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

Some students may be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on their previous studies, such as DELTA. The International Education Institute considers applications for RPL on a case by case basis in line with the University's recognition of prior learning policy. To confirm the exact amount of credit you could be awarded, please forward your relevant transcript to ie@st-andrews.ac.uk.

For direct entry to an MSc TESOL programme, you will need an overall score in IELTS (Academic) of 6.5, with a minimum subscore of 6.0 or the equivalent. Students with a lower score may be eligible for a pre-sessional course. For alternative forms of evidence, see English language tests and qualifications.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the personal statement, and supporting documents.

Apply now

Tuition fees

UK and EU: £9,450
Overseas: £19,400

Find out about scholarships and funding.
Further particulars regarding tuition fees.

Application deadline

Early January 2021. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.

Application requirements

CV. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment (paid or voluntary) to date.
personal statement. See personal statement guidance for TESOL courses (PDF)
two original signed references (at least one of which must be academic)
academic transcripts and degree certificates
evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language). If you have not yet taken an English language test, this can be submitted at a later date. Any offer of a place would then be conditional on attaining evidence of your English language competence.

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

What our students say

Read student testimonials from previous TESOL students.

Student testimonials

As part of a University of St Andrews Summer Internship Programme, a group of student volunteers has created a video to promote the postgraduate TESOL programmes taught in St Andrews.

Course information

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with a Specialism (MSc) degrees are 18 month courses run by the International Education Institute. Each course is designed to be useful to both experienced English language teachers as well as those considering a career in English language teaching. There are five specialisms available for students to choose from:

Assessment and Evaluation
Teaching Young Learners
English Medium Instruction
English for Academic Purposes
Technology for Teaching.

Teaching format

You will take a variety of taught modules over the first two semesters of the programme based on your chosen specialism. The first semester runs from January until May and the second semester from September until January. There is a break during the summer holidays. You will write your dissertation in the third semester, January to June. Modules are delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials and out-of-class activities.

Each semester you will study four modules. Two modules are taught over the first five weeks of each semester, followed by a week to complete the related assessments, and then two further modules are taught over the last five weeks of each semester.

In these modules, you will integrate theory and practice by discussing and critiquing theoretical concepts and frameworks, and then applying them through a range of practical assessments. Assessments will include:

a variety of different types of written assignments
presentations
development of teaching plans
material development.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2020–2021 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2021 entry.

Action Research for Teachers: provides a learning experience in which you can reflect on concepts and theories you are studying in other modules and connect them with classroom practice. The module explores the combined value of reflection and action research for classroom practitioners, providing a means for language teachers to understand their classroom contexts and to plan responses to challenges in these contexts.

Language Teaching Methodology: explores the theories that inform teaching practice and analyses the implications these have in terms of ways of learning, material used, the teacher role and the learning spaces. This is essential for all those seeking to understand teaching environments more clearly and for those who have a chance to influence teaching environments.
Linguistics for Language Teachers: equips you with the skills required to describe and analyse language. It does not assume prior knowledge of Linguistics and seeks to introduce you to selected fundamental concepts, relevant to English language teaching. You acquire appropriate terminology and techniques in the analysis and description of grammatical terms and structures.
Second Language Acquisition: how do we learn languages? Does it make any difference what age we start at? Why do some learners seem to do better than others? Answers to these questions, and many more would be very useful to inform language teachers, and to guide learners. This module traces the development of SLA theory, considers language learning from the perspective of learners, their differences and the strategies they can use, and from the perspective of the teacher and SLA researcher in order to apply theory to practice.
Teaching and Researching: teachers are increasingly expected to be evidence-informed or even evidence-led; consuming, creating, and sharing research. This module addresses how we evaluate the quality of research to decide what is rigorous and informative for our practice, how we can build on existing research when planning our own interventions, and how to design, pilot and reflect on the effectiveness of different data collection instruments. We consider a range of research contexts and values to help you actively engage with pedagogical research.

You must take the specialism module related to your degree plus two additional modules from the following list, subject to timetabling restrictions:

Assessment and Evaluation: brings together the study of language testing with the theory and practice of assessment in pedagogy. You will learn key concepts in both, how to design and improve tests for different purposes, and how to make productive use of assessment within teaching. We also consider some of the broader social impacts of assessment and testing and how teachers navigate tensions when promoting student learning within a measurement culture. The module also acts as an example of learning through assessment, giving you opportunities to reflect on how different approaches such as mastery learning or active learning are reflected in assessment design, as well as critiquing aspects of assessment such as the use of time limits, group tasks, multiple-choice questions, and gamification.
English Medium Instruction: in recent years there has been a rapid increase in the teaching of academic subjects through English in countries where the majority of the population do not use English as a first language. This module explores this global trend from the standpoint of content and language teachers, as well as students. It considers the wide variety of English Medium Instruction contexts, evaluating theory in an attempt to address some of the practical challenges involved.
English for Academic Purposes: preparing and supporting students who come to study for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees through the medium of English is one of the most challenging but rewarding jobs in the field of language teaching. To do this well, an EAP teacher needs to understand the higher education context; the key principles underpinning learning in a university; text and discourse in the communities of the different disciplines, theories and practice of assessment; and the most effective methods and materials to motivate students and help them into a discourse community.
Teaching Young Learners: explores theories of child development and learning which are fundamental to the understanding of child second language acquisition, namely children aged 4 to 7, 8 to 11, and 12 to 18. Child psychology has to be taken into account in the development of teaching materials, teaching styles and classroom management. There is also a practical element to the module, as tutorials will involve the creation of materials and delivery to peers, who will take on the characteristics of the target students, in order to apply theory to practice.
Technology for Teaching: introduces you to the principle theories, concepts and practices of technology in language education. You will be able to critically consider the role and purpose of various modes of technology in education in a wide range of settings to identify and conceptualise problems within your own professional contexts.

For the dissertation, you will choose a topic of interest to you and to your future career. You will read related literature and conduct independent research on your topic. The dissertation will be written during the second Semester 2.

Student dissertations will be supervised by IE staff members. Supervisors will provide guidance throughout the research process, helping you to formulate a suitable research hypothesis. They will offer advice on relevant literature and how to plan your time effectively.

The completed dissertation of no more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a specified date in May.

If you choose not to complete the dissertation required for the award of an MSc, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.

Each module is only delivered once in each academic year. The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2021 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

TESOL specialisms

Students can choose from one of the five TESOL specialisms to focus their studies on. More information for each specialism can be found below.

The MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with a Specialism in Assessment and Evaluation is designed to be useful to both experienced English language teachers as well as those considering a career in English language teaching. It is aimed at teachers with a particular interest in assessment and evaluation.

Assessment is increasingly becoming part of ELT pedagogy: mastery and active learning approaches use assessment tasks as learning tasks, low-stakes testing is structuring engagement in online learning, and increasingly credential-oriented societies require teachers to make creative use of testing to support learning. A specialism in assessment and evaluation will support you to understand the development of the current testing culture in ELT, including reflecting on where teachers can work with or need to resist current developments. There is also a highly practical value to the specialism: assessment is often done poorly, in a hurry, and with little awareness of consequences. Being able to develop tests, create supporting materials, and train examiners are therefore prized skills for ELT practitioners.

Highlights
- experience and evaluate different types of assessment through the weekly coursework tasks.
- take a specific Assessment and Evaluation module, conduct research in this area as part of an Action Research module, and choose a dissertation topic to research further into the field of assessment and evaluation.
- join experienced practitioners and scholars in the English language teaching community, with opportunities to be involved in ongoing professional development events and the annual English for Academic Purposes (EAP) conference.
- focus your studies in your particular area of interest, and gain a better theoretical and practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to assessment and evaluation.
- integrate theory and practice – discuss theoretical concepts and frameworks in small groups and apply these through practical assessments and peer teaching sessions.
Careers

TESOL graduates are equipped with a range of skills and experiences which allow them to take on a variety of roles. The majority of TESOL students work within education, either as teachers or lecturers, as researchers, or as policymakers. Other graduates work in publishing, journalism and management. A specialism in Assessment and Evaluation opens up possibilities to work in a wide variety of academic settings either writing assessment material or training those who write and deliver assessment and evaluation.

Apply for the TESOL MSc with a Specialism in Assessment and Evaluation
The MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with a Specialism in Teaching Young Learners is designed to be useful to both experienced English language teachers as well as those considering a career in English language teaching. It is aimed at teachers with a particular interest in teaching young learners.

This degree aims to help you make connections between what you do on other modules in the context of teaching children or teenagers (from 4 to 18 years). Taking this specialism will provide you with a qualification which clearly highlights your knowledge and understanding of the needs and strengths of these age groups. This is advantageous as future employers can see immediately that you are more likely to be qualified for teaching in schools at any level.

Highlights
- have the opportunity to design, and trial (on your peers) materials for different approaches to teaching, including Task-based Learning, Language through stories and games, and CLIL.
- take a specific Teaching Young Learners module, conduct research in this area as part of an Action Research module, and choose a dissertation topic to research further into the field of teaching young learners.
- focus your studies in your particular area of interest, and gain a better theoretical and practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to teaching young learners.
- produce a portfolio of 4 lessons for contexts which you can select yourself, giving room for creativity and a focus on your preferred age group.
- join experienced practitioners and scholars in the English language teaching community, with opportunities to be involved in ongoing professional development events and the annual English for Academic Purposes (EAP) conference.
Careers

TESOL graduates are equipped with a range of skills and experiences which allow them to take on a variety of roles. The majority of TESOL students work within education, either as teachers or lecturers, as researchers, or as policymakers. Other graduates work in publishing, journalism and management. A specialism in Teaching Young Learners opens up possibilities to work in a variety of preschool, elementary and secondary level educational settings as a teacher or policy specialist.

Apply for the TESOL MSc with a Specialism in Teaching Young Learners
The MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with a Specialism in English Medium Instruction is designed to be useful to both experienced English language teachers as well as those considering a career in English language teaching. It is aimed at teachers with a particular interest in English medium instruction. This is an aspect of education in English that is growing rapidly, offering various roles for EFL and EAP teachers. As a relatively new field of study, EMI can develop in many ways, giving opportunities for creativity and innovation, from primary to tertiary level study.

Highlights
- engage in a new field of study, with very few institutions offering it as a module or a degree.
- choose your own topic for the EMI assessment, giving you an opportunity to explore more deeply into whichever aspect of the course interests you most and thus gain a better theoretical and practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to EMI.
- take a specific English Medium Instruction module, conduct research in this area as part of an Action Research module, and choose a dissertation topic to research further into the field of teaching young learners.
- integrate theory and practice – discuss theoretical concepts and frameworks in small groups and apply these through practical assessments and peer teaching sessions.
- join experienced practitioners and scholars in the English language teaching community, with opportunities to be involved in ongoing professional development events and the annual English for Academic Purposes (EAP) conference.
Careers

TESOL graduates are equipped with a range of skills and experiences which allow them to take on a variety of roles. The majority of TESOL students work within education, either as teachers or lecturers, as researchers, or as policymakers. Other graduates work in publishing, journalism and management. A specialism in EMI opens up possibilities to work in any level of education, covering EFL and EAP, as well teacher development and management.

Apply for the TESOL MSc with a Specialism in English Medium Instruction
The TESOL MSc with a Specialism in English for Academic Purposes gives students with an interest in this field the opportunity to integrate the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of other languages, with a particular focus on teaching academic English. EAP is a growing discipline. English is considered the lingua franca of academia. There is a strong need for evidence-based training and development in the practical teaching skills needed for this diverse and dynamic field.

Highlights
- develop knowledge and skills in academic discourses, materials design and assessment of EAP.
- join experienced practitioners and scholars in the English language teaching community, with opportunities to be involved in ongoing professional development events and the annual English for Academic Purposes (EAP) conference.
- take a specific EAP module, conduct research in this area as part of an Action Research module, and choose a dissertation topic to research further into the field of EAP.
- integrate theory and practice – discuss theoretical concepts and frameworks in small groups and apply these through practical assessments and peer teaching sessions.
- focus your studies in your particular area of interest, and gain a better theoretical and practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to teaching EAP.
Careers

TESOL graduates are equipped with a range of skills and experiences which allow them to take on a variety of roles. The majority of TESOL students work within education, either as teachers or lecturers, as researchers, or as policymakers. Other graduates work in publishing, journalism and management. A specialism in EAP opens up possibilities to work as an EAP tutor, course designer or assessment specialist.

Apply for the TESOL MSc with a Specialism in English for Academic Purposes
The TESOL MSc with a Specialism in Technology for Teaching gives students with an interest in this field the opportunity to integrate the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of other languages, with a particular focus on technology for teaching. The course is aimed at students who want to develop the pedagogical knowledge that underpins the application of technology in language classrooms. This is a transdisciplinary course drawing on sources from a variety of fields (including Education, Psychology, Sociology, Design, Ludology, Linguistics and Philosophy).

Highlights
- develop technical skills in a range of applications, such as data-driven learning, task-based learning and game-based learning.
- develop project management skills, using techniques from agile design and design thinking.
- participate in a practical course where participants will be encouraged to identify and conceptualise problems within their own professional contexts, and develop creative and informed responses which utilise technology.
- join experienced practitioners and scholars in the English language teaching community, with opportunities to be involved in ongoing professional development events and the annual English for Academic Purposes (EAP) conference.
- take a specific Technology for Teaching module, conduct research in this area as part of an Action Research module, and choose a dissertation topic to research further into the field of Technology for Teaching.
Careers

TESOL graduates are equipped with a range of skills and experiences which allow them to take on a variety of roles. The majority of TESOL students work within education, either as teachers or lecturers, as researchers, or as policymakers. Other graduates work in publishing, journalism and management. Graduates with experience of Technology for Teaching are in demand in a wide variety of educational settings to enhance technology-led provision.

Apply for the TESOL MSc with a Specialism in Technology for Teaching

Meet us

Postgraduate virtual visiting days

We hold virtual visiting days throughout the year to offer prospective postgraduate students a chance to experience the University's unique atmosphere and see for themselves the quality of the teaching on offer. Join us for our next postgraduate virtual visiting day on Wednesday 3 March 2021.

Virtual visiting days

TESOL virtual information sessions

If you are unable to visit St Andrews before you apply, the International Education Institute offers virtual information sessions to discuss the programmes. Upcoming TESOL virtual information sessions:

Wednesday 17 February at 2pm
Monday 8 March at 11am
Wednesday 31 March at 2pm

Learn more

Awards and prizes

Members of TESOL staff and previous students have been awarded various awards and prizes including the following:

McCall MacBain Foundation Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Excellence Awards 2020

In 2020 the International Educational Institute was the recipient of two McCall MacBain Foundation Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Excellence Awards

Mark Carver was awarded for his work on assessment and feedback scholarship. The award recognised contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning in St Andrews and at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, as well as the innovative use of assessment in pedagogy for the Assessment and Evaluation module on MSc TESOL. The £700 award was given to support building collaborations that strengthen the links between the literature on language testing and the literature on assessment for learning, recognising that Mark has been influential in bridging the gap between these two areas of literature.
Janie Brooks and Kerith George Briant were awarded for a presentation entitled 'Developing Effective Online Engagement in the Context of Internationalisation' delivered at the British Council International Education Conference in 2019. The presentation reported on the first phase of an action research project, which aims to induct IE’s MSc TESOL students into the St Andrews academic and disciplinary community by making what is often “tacit” academic culture and practice explicit.

University of St Andrews Teaching Excellence Awards

Kerry Tavakoli was awarded one of four annual Teaching Excellence Awards in 2018. Kerry was recognised for the very positive impact her work has had on students through her teaching, and colleagues' Continuous Professional Development (CPD) through her work leading the organisation of the University's annual English for Academic Purposes (EAP) conference.

British Council ELT Masters Dissertation Award

Yin Lijun (MSc TESOL 2017-2018) was commended at the British Council ELT Masters Dissertation Award 2018-2019 for her dissertation entitled 'An investigation of experienced EAP teachers' marking processes'. These awards are awarded every year to promote the achievements of students on UK Masters programmes for work with the best potential for impact on English language teaching.

Funding

Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.

Find out more about postgraduate scholarships.

Careers

TESOL graduates are equipped with a range of skills and experiences which allow them to take on a variety of roles. The majority of TESOL students work within education, either as teachers or lecturers, as researchers, or as policymakers. Other graduates work in publishing, journalism and management.

Lecturers within the International Education Institute have a wealth of both teaching and leadership experience in TESOL, in a range of locations globally. They are active in using their international networks and experience to support and advise students on future career development. Current teaching staff have taught or held educational leadership roles in China, Finland, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA and Vietnam.

The University Careers Centre also offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and provides a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Contact

International Education Institute
University of St Andrews
Kinnessburn
Kennedy Gardens
St Andrews
KY16 9DJ

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2255
Email: ie@st-andrews.ac.uk

International Education Institute website

Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online (PDF, 84 KB).

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with a Specialism (MSc) January 2021 entry

Key information

Course type

Course dates

Course duration

Entry requirements

Tuition fees

Application deadline

Application requirements

What our students say

Course information

Teaching format

Modules

TESOL specialisms

Assessment and Evaluation

Teaching Young Learners

English Medium Instruction

English for Academic Purposes

Technology for Teaching

Meet us

Postgraduate virtual visiting days

TESOL virtual information sessions

Awards and prizes

McCall MacBain Foundation Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Excellence Awards 2020

University of St Andrews Teaching Excellence Awards

British Council ELT Masters Dissertation Award

Funding

Careers

Contact

Policies

Curriculum development

Tuition fees

Study at St Andrews