Three students on laptops in classroom

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages MA

Order a Prospectus
Postgraduate Events
How to Apply
Select the year

Start Dates

21 September 2026, 11 January 2027

Duration

1 year full-time

Recent Awards For Excellence

Education - QS 2025
Find out more about these awards
About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • Our course blends theory and practice, helping you develop teaching skills through planning, materials design, microteaching, and observations.
  • For the 60-credit module, choose to write a dissertation or design teaching materials for learners in a context of your choice.
  • Learn from globally experienced, research-active teachers and access expert networks, cutting-edge facilities, and specialist resources.

Want to teach English abroad? This MA TESOL course is perfect for UK and international graduates with little or no professional teaching experience.

Designed to kickstart your career in English language teaching you’ll explore the latest advancements in TESOL research, policy, and practice, and gain in-depth knowledge of language teaching and assessment.

Why TESOL?

  • Global Teaching Skills: Develop your expertise in lesson planning, resource creation, and innovative teaching and assessment methods - all through an international lens to prepare you for a global teaching career.

  • Research and Application: Enhance your research and evaluation skills and discover how to apply them in diverse professional contexts.

  • Learn from Leaders: Work with outstanding teachers who are globally experienced and research-active and access a rich professional and academic network, alongside cutting-edge facilities and specialist resources designed to support your success.

Interim Awards

Earn interim awards at Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma level as you progress during your studies. Should you decide to leave the course early, you could still be awarded one of these qualifications.

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

  • An Honours degree (2:2 or above) in English, humanities or in a foreign language or an equivalent professional qualification.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

What will you learn?

Course Details

In this module you will gain an insight into current topics which attract research and discussion in the field of TESOL. You will be guided through key readings from recent journal articles, textbooks, and/or digital media related to key debates in TESOL, and be encouraged to critically evaluate key issues and consider how they can be applied to your own professional practice. The module will be evaluated through a presentation and contributions to an online discussion.

One of the most important aspects of any English language teacher's knowledge is knowledge of English itself, especially information which is likely to be useful to learners. This module should equip you with knowledge and a set of skills for describing language for teaching at the levels of pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and whole texts. The language knowledge is complimented by an understanding of assessment and how assessment informs teaching practice. You will develop an understanding of the reasons why it is not appropriate to consider assessment as divorced from other types of knowledge which teachers need to be good teachers. Teachers need to have a good understanding about the nature of language in order to assess it effectively. By the end of the module, you should be able to use meta-language appropriately and apply your language knowledge to teaching and assessment scenarios.

In this module you will explore the theory and practice of English language teaching. You will examine approaches and materials for the teaching of grammar, lexis and the receptive and the productive skills from both a practical and theoretical perspective.

In this module you will consider factors which affect second language teaching and learning. You will explore key topics, concepts and theories related to second language teaching and learning and their relevance and implications for language teaching in a variety of contexts.

Study either Materials Development for TESOL or the Dissertation.

The module introduces you to the key principles in the design, adaptation and evaluation of materials in the field of TESOL. You’ll explore a range of published language-learning materials while also developing your knowledge of the theory behind materials design and evaluation. You’ll apply your learning and knowledge through the design and adaptation of materials for learners in a context relevant to your own professional practice.

This module will deepen your knowledge and understanding of educational research. You'll learn about traditions of educational research; positivism, interpretism and action research and the strengths and challenges of carrying out research in these traditions. This module will provide you with the opportunity to carry out a piece of research based on a contemporary or work-related issue or problem.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as a Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Community Education Officer, Learning Mentor, Education Consultant, Family Support Worker and Education Mental Health Practitioner.*

*Source: Prospects

98% Percentage of our postgraduate students go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating.

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, UK domiciled.

£38.5k Average salary of our postgraduate students fifteen months after graduating.

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, mean salary, UK domiciled, full-time UK employment as main activity.

I wanted a course that deepened my knowledge of language education while giving me practical tools for the classroom. The MA TESOL at Huddersfield delivered the perfect mix of academic depth, hands-on experience, and reflective practice.
Read More

- Hoài Nam Nguyễn
TESOL MA, now works as a Lecturer of English at Hanoi National University of Education.

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£8,225 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit our fees page.

£18,700 per year

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit our international fees and funding page.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Discover what additional help you may be eligible for to support your University studies.

Home
International

Tuition Fee Loans

Find out more about tuition fee loans available to eligible postgraduate students.

Find out more

What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

Find out more

If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

Email us  
What does the University offer?

Gallery

Take a look at the Charles Sikes and Richard Steinitz Buildings, where your lectures and seminars will take place.

Charles Sikes building from above, on a sunny day with staff and students walking on the attached bridge

Charles Sikes Building Exterior

Three students in a lecture

Diamond Jubilee Lecture Theatre

Richard Steinitz building in the sunlight with staff and students sat infront

Richard Steinitz Building Exterior

Students walking inside the Charles Sikes building

The Street in the Charles Sikes Building

Students making notes on table

Seminar room

Students speaking across a table

Breakout space in Charles Sikes

Explore More

TESOL Student Experience

Hear from our TESOL students about what makes this course unique. Explore practical teaching, learning theory, and the support to help you teach English worldwide.

Postgraduate Open Days

Join our Postgraduate Open Day to explore our courses, tour the campus, and meet academics and students who can answer your questions.

Learn more
Card image

Sign up for Emails

Find out more about postgraduate study at Huddersfield and stay updated with the latest news and events.

Sign up for emails
students laughing

Postgraduate Student Blogs

Discover what it’s like to study for a postgraduate degree at Huddersfield. Hear from our students and graduates as they share their experiences of life at the University of Huddersfield.

Find out more

Why Hud

Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.

Three students stood in Huddersfield town centre
01

Explore Huddersfield

Make Huddersfield your home. A Yorkshire town, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with easy access to neighbouring cities; Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. You’ll find plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and socialise, there’s ambitious plans for future development. Our campus is situated next to the town centre - making your commute a breeze.

Find out more
Decorative
01

Your Student Experience

Get involved in great opportunities helping you to make friends from all across the world and create lifelong memories. Join one of over 100 societies with the Students’ Union, experience new cultures through global events, earn whilst you learn and build your skills via our Global Professional Award.

Learn more
Decorative
01

Budget Friendly

Huddersfield is not only one of the friendliest towns, it also offers you a lower cost of living than most big cities. This means you could have more money to spend, making your uni experience even better. On campus you’ll also find plenty of facilities and services to help you budget and make your money go further.

Find out more
Decorative
01

Sustainability Matters

We’re committed to sustainability and aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Our plan includes reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and improving wellbeing through sustainable buildings. We’re investing in digital solutions, low-impact travel, and embedding sustainability into teaching and research, investing over £1m in carbon reduction.

Find out more
Decorative
01

Committed to Your Future

Since 2015, we’ve invested £198 million to create spaces where you can learn, collaborate and thrive. We’re continuously investing in our campus with your wellbeing in mind—adding features that make our buildings healthier, more supportive and better places for you to succeed.

Read more
TypeError: Cannot find function replaceAll in object Education.