Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - with optional specialism (MSc/PGDip/PGCert) January 2025 entry

These courses provide the opportunity to integrate the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of other languages. They are designed to be useful to experienced teachers and those considering a career in English language teaching.

Students who have an interest in a particular field of TESOL can also choose one of five specialisms to focus on, and graduate with a TESOL degree in that specialism.

Start date
January 2025
End date
MSc: May 2026, PGDip: December 2024, PGCert: May 2025
Duration
MSc: 17 months, PGDip: 12 months, PGCert: 5 months
School
International Education Institute

Choose your course

These flexible courses allow you to choose the path that best suits your ambitions. You can:

  • achieve either an MSc, PGDip or PGCert qualification
  • study 'on campus' in St Andrews or online
  • start in September or January
  • choose an optional specialism.

MSc, PGDip or PGCert

You can enrol for one of three different types of qualifications:

Master of Science (MSc)

A 15-month full-time taught course. The MSc requires you to take eight modules and complete a 15,000-word dissertation.

Course dates: January 2025 to June 2026

Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

A year-long full-time taught course. The PGDip requires you to take eight modules over two semesters. Those on the PGDip do not undertake a dissertation.

Course dates: January 2025 to January 2026

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

A course that can be taken full-time over one semester or part-time over a year (subject to visa requirements). The PGCert requires you to take four modules of your choosing. Those on the PGCert do not undertake a dissertation.

Course start date: January 2025

Students with home fee status may study any of these qualifications part-time depending on their individual circumstances.

In person or online

These programmes are delivered both in person at St Andrews and online. If you are interested in studying this programme entirely online, see:

September or January

There are two different start dates you can choose from. This page has information for January entry. If you are interested in starting in September, see:

Optional specialism

You can choose to focus your studies in a particular area of interest by taking TESOL with a specialism. Specialisms available are:

  • Assessment and Evaluation
  • English for Academic Purposes
  • English Medium Instruction
  • Teaching Young Learners
  • Technology for Teaching
MSc TESOL programmes taught in St Andrews

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Entry requirements

Typically, you should have one of the following:

  • A 2.1 Honours degree with a between 3.3 and 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) in any discipline. Applications are welcomed from all education systems. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
  • Significant professional or other relevant experience alongside evidence of prior alternative learning (such as professional qualifications or certifications).

For more information about our academic entrance requirements in relation to the education system you studied in, please contact iepostgrad@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Recognition of prior learning

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 rplearning@st-andrews.ac.uk.

English language requirements

You will need to be proficient in the English language. Information about English language entry requirements for these programmes is available on the postgraduate English language requirements page.

Applicants who have not met the English language entry requirements at the point of application may be made offers that are conditional on these requirements being met before enrolment. Offer-holders may then use the University’s Academic English pre-sessional courses to meet the English language requirements.

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.

Application deadline

Sunday 15 December 2024 for International students and Sunday 5 January 2025 for Home students. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.

Application requirements

  • CV that includes 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
  • one original signed reference (professional or 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, you can submit it 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.

Course details

TESOL programmes are run by the International Education Institute.

Highlights

  • Integrate theory and practice – discuss theoretical concepts and frameworks in small groups and in writing in weekly online discussion forums and apply these through applied assessments.
  • Interact with a global cohort of students, studying both in St Andrews and online, through module learning activities.
  • Engage in and reflect on a new language learning experience to gain an all-around perspective on language teaching and learning.
  • Access an optional and supplementary resource bank of material in parallel with your PGT programme to support both your learning and the development of your professional identity.
  • 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.

The number of taught modules you will take depends on whether you are studying for the MSc, PGDip or PGCert degree:

  • students on the MSc and PGDip will take five compulsory modules plus three optional modules. If you decide to take TESOL with a specialism, you must take one of your optional modules in that specialism.
  • students on the PGCert will take four modules of their choice. If you decide to take a PGCert with a specialism, you must take the module of your specialism plus three more modules.

You will study each module for five weeks, with five face-to-face contact hours for each module. You will study four modules in each semester, two in the first part and a further two in the second part of the semester.

In each module, you will also interact online in a weekly written discussion forum (or similar activity) with other postgraduate students in St Andrews and around the world, providing the opportunity to learn from peers living and working in a wide variety of contexts.

While the programme does not include a teaching placement or practicum, it supports students in exploring how theory can be applied to real-world situations, through:

  • practical learning and assessment tasks
  • materials development activities
  • participation as a student in language classes
  • a limited number of peer teaching activities. 

Outside of modular study, you are also offered the chance to apply for mentored teaching opportunities. In the current academic year, the International Education Institute has:

  • mentored students in leading Academic English Service workshops
  • supported students to present at our annual English for Academic Purposes conference
  • engaged a number of students in supported assistant teacher roles on summer courses
  • offered students the opportunity to teach refugees in the local community.

TESOL specialisms

Assessment and evaluation

This specialism is aimed at teachers with a particular interest in assessment and evaluation. It 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.

Assessment is increasingly becoming part of English language teaching (ELT) pedagogy:

  • mastery and active learning approaches use assessment tasks as learning tasks
  • low-stakes testing is structuring engagement in online learning
  • 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.

You will be able to experience and evaluate different types of assessment through the weekly coursework tasks.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

The EAP specialism gives students the opportunity to integrate the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of other languages, with a particular focus on teaching academic English. It opens up possibilities to work as an EAP tutor, course designer or assessment specialist. 

EAP is a growing discipline, and 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.

You will be able to develop knowledge and skills in academic discourses, materials design and assessment of EAP.

English Medium Instruction (EMI)

The EMI specialism 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 English as a foreign language (EFL) and English for academic purposes (EAP) teachers. It opens up possibilities to work in any level of education, covering EFL and EAP, as well as teacher development and management. It is also beneficial to educators in any subjects area who work, or plan to work, with students who are users of English as an additional language. 

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.

Teaching Young Learners

This specialism is aimed at teachers with a particular interest in teaching young learners. It opens up possibilities to work in a variety of preschool, elementary and secondary level educational settings as a teacher or policy specialist.

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 that 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.

You will be able to produce a portfolio of four lessons for contexts which you can select yourself, giving room for creativity and a focus on your preferred age group.

Technology for Teaching

This specialism gives students the opportunity to integrate the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of other languages, with a particular focus on technology for teaching. Graduates with experience of technology for teaching are in demand in a wide variety of educational settings to enhance technology-led provision.

This specialism 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 like education, psychology, sociology, design, ludology, linguistics, and philosophy. 

You will develop technical skills in a range of applications, such as data-driven learning, task-based learning, and game-based learning. You will also develop project management skills, using techniques from agile design and design thinking.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details about each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue, which is for the 2024-2025 academic year. Some elements may be subject to change for January 2025 entry.

The following modules are compulsory for those on the MSc and PGDip programmes. If you are studying for the PGCert, you can choose any four modules from this list or from the optional module list.

Action Research and Reflection for Education Practitioners: This module provides a learning experience in which students can reflect on concepts and theories they have studied in the past and connect them with individual educational contexts. The module explores the combined value of reflection and action research, providing a means for educational practitioners to understand their educational contexts and to plan responses to challenges in these contexts.

Education and Researching: Students will learn about different research methodologies and critically evaluate quantitative, qualitative and mixed method approaches. It will help students understand the features of a rigorous research question in English Language Teaching and International Education, as well as consider how to design, pilot and reflect on the effectiveness of different data collection instruments. Students will be taught, and given the opportunity to practise, different approaches to data analysis. The module will also include guidance and discussion on the different ethical considerations when conducting classroom-based research, as well as the important stages in writing up the dissertation.

Leadership and Management in International Education: asks students to think critically about the purpose, importance and understanding of key concepts and theories of educational leadership in higher education. To this end, the module will begin by exploring what is educational leadership and the qualities of an effective leader in educational settings in the 21st century. It will then introduce and consider relevant theories and principles underlying practice in educational leadership. In order to demonstrate an awareness of the contextual nature of leadership, the module will examine the contributions from international leadership perspectives in a number of different global contexts. Students will be encouraged to analyse and discuss questions and issues arising from the study in-line with their own practice and experience in both written and verbal communications.

Organisational Development in International Education: you will learn about key theories of organisational development as well as their practical application to an educational setting. In addition, students will explore organisation diagnosis, leading change, and organisation culture. Students will be given the opportunity to reflect and critically apply the organisation development interventions to international settings.

Trends and Policies in International Education: aims to raise awareness and enable reflection of the key trends and policies in international education. It provides students with the opportunity to examine the impact that these trends and policies have on standing pedagogical structures and the dialogues they create within the field of intercultural pedagogy. Against this backdrop, the module will encourage students to assess the impact that the decisions they make as leaders, or may go on to make as potential leaders within the field of international education have on the stakeholders within their context of work.

Those on the MSc and PGDip programmes will choose three modules from the following list. If you are studying for the PGCert, you can choose any four modules from this list or from the compulsory module list. 

Assessment and Evaluation in Education: This module aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of the key concepts and theories behind different methods of assessment and evaluation in English language teaching and learning. It will help you to examine the rationale for different types of assessments and assessment designs. You will make links to learning on other modules and examine the theory underpinning test construction and marking, in particular test validity and the role of criteria in assessment.

English Medium Instruction (EMI): With the rapid development of the internationalisation of education, English is being used as the medium of instruction in an increasing number of educational institutions, from university down to primary school and even kindergarten. This is a complex situation, and it is having a significant impact on teaching and learning worldwide, affecting both students and educators. EMI has therefore become a significant component in the postgraduate study of TESOL and International Education as the roles of stakeholders are constantly evolving. This module will provide students with an understanding of the controversies of English as an international language for academic study and the complexity involved in speakers of any language teaching and learning in a second language.

Language Teaching Methodology: This module 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, and is essential for all those seeking to understand teaching environments more clearly and for those who have a chance to influence teaching environments. 

Online Programme Design: Students will learn about key theories of learning and teaching as well as the principles that underpin online programme design. In addition to this you will learn about digital content creation, how to build a sense of community in online teaching and learning contexts, and about assessment and evaluation in the online world. You will be given the opportunity to identify and conceptualise these aspects of online teaching and learning within your own professional contexts.

Technology for Teaching: This module introduces students to the principal theories, concepts and practices of technology in language education. The key focus is on the application of technology, and students will examine various classroom and online uses. Participants will critically consider the role and purpose of various modes of technology in education in a wide range of settings. Students will be encouraged to identify and conceptualise problems within their own professional contexts, and develop creative and informed responses which utilise technology. Students will also develop project management and communication skills.

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered. Some modules may only allow a limited number of students.

Only those on the MSc programme are required to submit a dissertation.

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.

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 15,000-word dissertation must be submitted by a specified date in April.

The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for January 2025 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Teaching

You will take a variety of taught modules over the first two semesters of the programme, which are delivered through a mixture of:

  • live lectures
  • face-to-face seminars
  • office hours
  • out-of-class activities.

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details about each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue, which is for the 2024-2025 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for January 2025 entry.

In each five-week module, you will integrate theory and practice by discussing and critiquing theoretical concepts and frameworks, and then apply 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.

The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.

Fees

MSc

Home: £11,120
Overseas: £23,530

PGDip

Home: £7,410 
Overseas: £15,690

PGCert

Home: £3,465
Overseas: £7,130

These are programme fees rather than annual fees, and generally they can also be paid in instalments.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to students each year.

15% Recent Graduate Discount

If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Your future

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, researchers, or policymakers. Other graduates work in publishing, journalism and management.

See testimonials from TESOL students.

Lecturers within the International Education Institute have a wealth of 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 worked in Australia, Bulgaria, China, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Martinique, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, 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.

Meet us

Postgraduate online visiting days

We hold postgraduate visiting days online throughout the year to offer prospective postgraduate students a chance to experience the University's unique atmosphere and the quality of the teaching on offer.

TESOL virtual information sessions

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

Awards

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

Masters Dissertation Awards

Elsevier-Stanford List 2023

  • Sin Wang Chong  was included in Top 2% Scientists in Education on the Elsevier-Stanford List 

TOEFL New Scholar Award 2024

  • Stefan O'Grady was awarded the 2024 TOEFL New Scholar award in recognition of the breadth and quality of his publications, and service to the field of language testing.

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.
  • 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. 

University of St Andrews Golden Dandelion Awards

Kerry Tavakoli and Mark Carver were awarded a University of St Andrews Golden Dandelion Award for ET5524 and ET5624 English Medium Instruction in recognition of the considerable contribution to education for sustainable development that it makes.

University of St Andrews Teaching Excellence Awards

  • Paula Villegas Verdu was awarded one of five annual Teaching Excellence Awards in 2024 for her significant contribution to curriculum design within the Institute, and her leadership of the Institute’s Academic English Service. Her development of new provision to support students across the University with academic literacy development was particularly commended.
  • Kirsty Duff was awarded one of five annual Teaching Excellence Awards in 2023 for her excellent teaching and curriculum development at the International Education Institute.
  • Lori Leigh Davis was awarded one of six annual Teaching Excellent Awards in 2022. Lori was recognised for the energy and enthusiasm she brings to her classes, her commitment to embedding sustainability within her teaching, as well as her work mentoring colleagues and contributing to University widening access programmes.
  • Kerry Tavakoli was awarded one of four annual Teaching Excellence Awards in 2018. Kerry was recognised for the positive impact her work has had on students through her teaching.

University of St Andrews Students’ Association 1413 Teaching Excellence Awards

  • Lesley Thirkell was nominated in the category of outstanding academic mentorship, which acknowledges the way a member of teaching staff influences students’ personal and academic development, and in the Outstanding Innovation in Teaching category, which celebrates creativity in the classroom.
  • Paula Villegas Verdu was nominated for a Students’ Association Excellence Award for outstanding commitment to inclusivity, for her work on the Online Programme Design module, and in the  Postgraduate Taught Dissertation Supervisor category, which recognises excellent guidance and support offered to a dissertation student.
  • Alison Malcolm-Smith was nominated in the Outstanding Innovation in Teaching category, which celebrates creativity in the classroom.
  • John Hughes was nominated in the Outstanding Innovation in Teaching category, which celebrates creativity in the classroom.
  • Lori Leigh Davis was nominated in the categories of Outstanding Teacher (Arts and Divinity), Outstanding Innovation in Teaching, Outstanding Academic Mentorship, and Outstanding Commitment to Academic Inclusivity.

University of St Andrews Start-Up Challenge

Cameron Wren (MSc TESOL with a Specialism in Technology for Teaching 2022-2023) won the Start-Up Challenge at the University's Entrepreneurship Centre with his business proposal for an online curriculum subscription service for online and offline English language teachers.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 2255
Email
iepostgrad@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
International Education Institute

University of St Andrews 
Kinnessburn 
Kennedy Gardens 
St Andrews 
KY16 9DJ

International Education Institute website