Postgraduate Taught

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

A student sitting at a desk wearing headphones and working on a laptop
A Education Student working with children on placement in Kelvin School
A stack of translation books in different languages sitting on top of each other
A group of students sitting in a lecture listening to a teacher at the front of the class
Open doors to a range of job opportunities around the world with our Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Ideal for both newcomers and experienced educators, you’ll deep dive into teaching English to non-native speakers, combining theory and practice across three trimesters.
Through our hands-on approach, you'll observe and practice teaching in real classrooms, preparing you for the modern teaching landscape.
Our graduates have gone on to work at universities, private language centres, international language schools, further education institutions, and primary or high schools. The possibilities are endless.
A student sitting at a desk wearing headphones and working on a laptop
A Education Student working with children on placement in Kelvin School
A stack of translation books in different languages sitting on top of each other
A group of students sitting in a lecture listening to a teacher at the front of the class

Boost your classroom experience and future employability with our MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Ideal for both newcomers and experienced educators, you’ll dive into English and how to teach it effectively, including using technology in the classroom. Through our hands-on approach, you'll observe and practice teaching in real classrooms, preparing you for the modern teaching landscape.

Plus, you'll have the chance to boost your employability with the Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages alongside your Masters.

  • We include practical teaching

    sessions in our course

  • Choose the area of study

    that interests you most

  • You'll be taught

    by experienced practitioners in TESOL

  • Boost your prospects

    with a Trinity Certificate alongside your Masters

  • Open doors to various roles

    around the world

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

This TESOL course offers a deep dive into teaching English to non-native speakers, combining theory and practice across three trimesters.

The course starts with foundational concepts, then on to practical teaching skills, and ends with an extended research project or dissertation – you choose. You’ll be assessed through a series of assignments, evaluations, and your final project/dissertation.

To ensure that you understand the cornerstones of TESOL, the course teaches you about teacher language awareness, language learning theory, and language teaching methodology, covering grammar, phonology, vocabulary, and discourse.

You'll also investigate language learning models from psychology, linguistics, and education, and explore historical and contemporary teaching approaches within TESOL. You'll creatively apply these TESOL principles to your own future classroom scenarios, developing lesson plans, conducting lessons, and reflecting on your teaching methods.

Plus, support from tutors, a dedicated dissertation supervisor, and access to workshops and online resources will provide you with essential transferable skills for your future career or further studies.

We offer modules in both the daytime and evenings, so you can find a pattern of delivery that fits with your other commitments, whether you are working, volunteering or studying full time. In 2024-25 you can choose evening modules from: Coaching and Mentoring, Early Childhood, Leadership and Management or Social Justice and Community Engagement as well as the mandatory modules shared by all pathways.

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Contemporary and Critical Issues in Education: Theory, Policy and Context

This module forms an essential component of your Masters programme. It supports the development of key skills necessary for study at Level 7 including the development of core and essential skills relating to critical reflection and critical analysis, alongside an introduction to critical theory. It allows engagement with issues relating to specialist areas relevant to your programme of study, whilst also opening up avenues for broader exploration. Drawing on diverse perspectives from a range of global contexts it ensures that education is explored across broad and diverse perspectives.

Core•30 credits

Exploring Foundations of TESOL

Develop awareness of three ‘cornerstones’ of professional theory and practice to support your development as an effective, critical TESOL practitioner. First, teacher language awareness, developing your own ability to use, analyse and teach the systems of the English language (grammar, phonology, lexis, discourse) effectively. Secondly, language learning theory, exploring models from disciplines such as psychology, linguistics and education that have informed TESOL practice. Finally, language teaching methodology, looking at the history and contemporary range of classroom approaches in the TESOL profession.

Core•30 credits

Research Methodologies (Education)

You will explore cutting edge research methodologies used in education, developing your critical understanding of how they can be used to address real world problems. An inquiry-based teaching approach will enable you to work with peers to weigh the merits of each in terms of their suitability for particular contexts and issues.

Core•30 credits

Becoming a TESOL Professional

Creatively and critically apply core TESOL principles to your own future contexts of classroom teaching. Through the development of lesson plans, performance of lessons and reflections on teaching, you will be invited to establish practices that are in line with cutting-edge TESOL practice.

Core•30 credits

Extended Research Project (Education)

This module provides you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge and research skills in the field of education. Supported via dedicated course tutors, your dissertation supervisor and high-quality workshops and online content, you will undertake an independent research project on a topic related to your programme of study. This will allow you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and gain an understanding of conducting and reporting on research. This module will help you develop key transferable skills for both the workplace and further study. 

Core•60 credits
5 Modules

Our academics

You'll benefit from the outstanding support of staff who are experienced education practitioners.   

Our research is driven by the belief that education can challenge inequalities and injustices in society, and seeks social and educational change to enhance fairness, equity and social justice. 

See more academics for this subject
Dr Duncan Hunter
Featured academic

Dr Duncan Hunter

Duncan brings EFL/EAL experience from the UK, Japan, and Poland. With an academic focus on Applied Linguistics and TESOL, he's contributed to UK/Malaysian teacher training and worked on projects with the British Council.
Ian-Hutchinson-Education
Featured academic

Ian Hutchinson

A language and linguistics expert, Ian has previously been an EFL tutor in Italy. His passion for languages enriches his teaching, creating authenticity in Language Learning and Teaching modules. Ian leads the TESOL Pathway on the MA.

Entry requirements

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area
Additional entry requirements for this course

If you have a 2.2 Honours degree in another subject area with evidence of relevant professional experience, this may be taken into account.

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area
Additional entry requirements for this course

If you have a 2.2 Honours degree in another subject area with evidence of relevant professional experience, this may be taken into account.

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 25% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Brynmor Jones Library

Our 7-storey library is home to 1 million+ books, extensive digital resources drawn from libraries and archives across the world, and stunning panoramic views of the city from the 7th floor.

Education Lecture Room

Study the theory in our lecture rooms – before you put your learning into practice in the classroom.

Group Lecture Room

Collaborate in group lecture rooms working as part of our vibrant community of students and staff who all share an interest in developing excellent learning opportunities for others.

Reading Room

You’ll find the Reading Room on the first floor of our library. It offers a comfortable space and a quiet environment to study – away from the hustle and bustle of the campus.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Look around

Look around

Look around

Brynmor Jones Library
Education Lecture Room
Wilberforce TV Teaching Room
Brynmor Jones Library Reading Room
Female-international- Students-outside BJL

Future prospects

When you opt for the MA in TESOL, you'll widen your career horizons in English language teaching. This might lead you to work with marginalised communities or offer English tutoring globally opening the door to exciting travel experiences. You could also begin a research journey as a PhD or EdD student.

Graduates have gone on to work at universities, private language centres, international language schools, further education institutions, and primary or high schools. The possibilities are endless.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

Apply now
How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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