Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - online with optional specialism (MSc, PGDip, PGCert)

Program Overview

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - online with optional specialism (MSc, PGDip, PGCert) January 2026 entry

Overview

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.

Entry Requirements

• A 2.1 Honours degree or 3.3 out of 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) in any discipline.
• Significant professional or other relevant experience alongside evidence of prior alternative learning (such as professional qualifications or certifications).
• Recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on previous studies, such as DELTA.
• English language requirements: proficiency in the English language.

Course Details

• 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.

Modules

• Action Research and Reflection for Education Practitioners: 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.
• Language Teaching Methodology: 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.
• Linguistics for Language Teachers: equips you with the skills required to describe and analyse language.
• Second Language Acquisition: explores theories of second language acquisition to gain some understanding of what learners actually do, how learners differ, and the strategies they can use.
• Education and Researching: focuses on different research methodologies and critically evaluates quantitative, qualitative and mixed method approaches.

TESOL Specialisms

• Assessment and Evaluation: aimed at teachers with a particular interest in assessment and evaluation.
• English for Academic Purposes (EAP): 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.
• English Medium Instruction (EMI): aimed at teachers with a particular interest in English medium instruction.
• Teaching Young Learners: aimed at teachers with a particular interest in teaching young learners.
• Technology for Teaching: 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.

Fees

• MSc: £12,030
• PGDip: £8,020
• PGCert: £4,010
• Single module: £1,100

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.

Awards

Members of TESOL staff and previous students have been awarded various awards and prizes, including the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes Masters Dissertation Awards, the Elsevier-Stanford List, the TOEFL New Scholar Award, and the McCall MacBain Foundation Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Excellence Awards.