Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Entry requirements

2:2 Honours Degree (or equivalent) in any subject or above. Appropriate industry qualifications and/or relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal degree qualification on a case-by-case basis.

Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in any category), or an equivalent accepted English qualification.

Find out about English language requirements.

If you are an international student, you will usually need to get a student visa before you can study in the UK.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

MA TESOL is a practical qualification grounded in the latest research in English language teaching and learning. Whether you're an experienced teacher or just starting out, this course will help you enhance the essential skills and knowledge needed for effective teaching.

Our course is delivered by a team of highly experienced and qualified language teachers who are internationally recognised TESOL researchers specialising in various areas. You'll have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your interests and career aspirations by choosing from a wide range of theoretical and practical modules. You can customise your study experience by aligning your assignments to your current or desired field or specialist area of teaching to boost your employability and effectiveness in that area. Our interactive sessions are crafted to engage you actively in learning contemporary TESOL methodologies.

As part of your degree you will have the opportunity to take the internationally recognised Trinity Cert TESOL teaching qualification, one of only two globally recognised TESOL qualifications. Combining this qualification with the skills you’ll develop throughout your degree will prepare you for the world of work.

You can gain hands-on teaching experience by volunteering to help our international students improve their communication skills and have the chance to observe our highly experienced teachers at our British Council accredited Language Centre which is home to a thriving modern foreign language programme.

By the end of this course, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of TESOL, practical teaching experience, and the research skills necessary to advance your career in English language education.

The MA is available to complete in one year full-time (January and September start dates available), or two years part-time (September start date only).

Features and benefits:

• Research-informed teaching - You’ll be taught by staff who are active researchers, many of whom are part of the Manchester Centre for Research in Linguistics. Our expertise spans forensic linguistics to second language acquisition to sociolinguistic projects.
• Be part of a professional community - Build a professional network in a diverse community of linguists, both teaching staff and students from across the globe. As well as being able to take advantage of the research expertise of staff, you'll interact with a range of other students.
• Get hands-on experience - You can get practical experience in our Language Centre. The Centre is accredited by the British Council and offers students opportunities to interact with those learning a new language.
• Employability focussed - Many of the assessment tasks are designed to enhance your employability. In the Independent Project, you produce a traditional research-focussed dissertation or similar investigation into a specific aspect of TESOL.
• Industry links - You’ll benefit from our extensive professional links, including the Northern Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, which facilitates professional development and provides networking and employment opportunities.
• Get a recognised qualification - As part of your programme, you will have the opportunity to take the internationally recognised Trinity Cert TESOL qualification (from September 2026).

Information for international students

Please visit the international page.

Fees and funding

For further information please see the fees and funding page.