Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) – online

Entry requirements

• A 2.1 Honours degree or 3.3 to 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)

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 and Lifelong Learning 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.

Application requirements

• CV that includes your personal details and a history of your education and employment (paid or voluntary) to date
• personal statement
• one original signed reference (this may be 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

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) online programmes provide the opportunity to integrate the theory and practice of teaching English to speaker of other languages. This programme is designed to be useful to experienced teachers and those considering a career in English language teaching.

As this is an online course, you will have the flexibility to select modules of interest and of benefit to your future career, as well as interact online with students in St Andrews and around the world.

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.

Highlights

• The programme allows for flexible part-time study while working
• Integrate theory and practice – discuss theoretical concepts and frameworks in small groups and in online written 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
• There is no ‘live’ teaching so you can study in your own time, to suit your own lifestyle and commitments
• Attend an optional two-week summer school in St Andrews focusing on dissertation preparation, and providing the opportunity to experience living and studying in St Andrews
• 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:

• 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.

In each module, you 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 an assessed teaching placement or practicum, it supports students in exploring how theory can be applied to real-word situations through practical learning, assessment tasks, and materials development activities.

Fees and funding

The University of St Andrews is commited to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances. They offer 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.

MSc online tuition fee discount

The International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute offers a £2,000 tuition fee discount to students studying the MSc online who have approximately 2 years of relevant work experience.