MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Key information

Degree

Types of study

Full time

Duration

12 months full-time

Start date

September 2025

Faculty

Education and English / Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Entry requirements

Course Requirements: Open to graduates of any subjects. This master programme requires students to have a bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from a recognised institution at the same standard as UK university's 2:1 (upper second class honours degree or international equivalent).

English Language Requirements: Applicants whose first language is not English, and who do not have a degree from a UK institution, are required to have the following English language qualifications before they can register on an academic programme:

IELTS: 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in each element) or
PTE Academic: 71 (minimum 65) or
TOEFL (IBT): 90 (minimum 19 in Writing and Listening, 20 in Reading and 22 in Speaking)

Further Requirements:

Teaching Experience: Applicants to the MA TESOL are not formally required to have prior teaching experience, although such experience is naturally considered useful, and can help in providing students with a more immediate and practical context when reflecting on the course content. All applicants accepted onto the MA TESOL with less than nine months’ full-time experience of English Language Teaching will be required to complete a 20-credit Teaching Practicum module in the second semester (those who are able to provide evidence of previous teaching experience can claim exemption from this).

All applicants should therefore include a full CV as part of their application. Applicants should also provide *a sample of their academic writing in English. A Skype, telephone or face-to-face interview is normally required as part of the acceptance decision making process.

*Writing sample could be a section from the dissertation/essay or a translated section from the dissertation or a translated essay (word length: around 1,000).

Interview Arrangements: All applicants must also complete an interview with the course admissions tutor. To qualify for an interview, students must ordinarily fully meet the IELTS entry requirement at their point of application. However, potential students applying to the MA TESOL may be considered for an interview, if their total IELTS score is no less than 0.5 band below the stipulated entry level and have achieved IELTS 6.0 in writing. In these cases, depending on their interview outcome, such students may be offered a conditional offer based on their successful completion of an English Language pre-sessional programme.

Please check interview rubric before you attend interview.

Course overview

The MA TESOL is suitable for all with a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue TESOL as a new career or enhance their current prospects in the field of English language teaching, or working in a related profession.

The MA TESOL will develop your critical understanding of recent developments in TESOL theory and practice. It also prepares you to conduct independent research into teaching and learning and provides a pathway to doctoral study. You will meet expert tutors in the field of English language teaching (ELT), a major branch of applied linguistics, who have international reputations in their own area of research, and who are committed to providing the best quality study experience.

Special features

Advantages of studying the MA TESOL at the University of Nottingham

The whole course taught in English, with the aim to widen your international horizons.
Teaching informed by leading-edge research in the field.
Internationally reputable and approachable tutors who are practising language teachers and researchers
Solid foundation in core areas of TESOL theory and practice
Elective modules which reflect the latest in applied linguistics and language teacher education
Stylish, modern, hi-tech learning environment in an internationally reputable university
Lively, multi-cultural social environment

The programme will help you:

Gain an advanced critical understanding of key issues, theories and practices in the field of English language teaching
Acquire sound knowledge and understanding of language in context
Explore the implications of language analysis for teaching purposes
Develop an understanding of current methodology as it is embodied in classroom practice
Engage with theories underlying current views on language learning, including the importance of individual differences among learners in their abilities and learning preferences
Appreciate and view critically the connections between theory and practice in the field of English language teaching
Foster the ability to conduct academic research.

Course structure

Careers and further study

Graduates may pursue TESOL as a new career or enhance their current prospects in the field of English language teaching. In China, a postgraduate qualification in TESOL is increasingly sought- after by educational institutions. The programme will also equip those interested in pursuing an academic career in the field of English language teaching and applied linguistics by preparing them to conduct research at EdD and PhD level.

Our Careers Development Service will work with you to explore your options, invite you to attend recruitment events where you can meet potential employers, as well as suggesting further development opportunities, such as relevant work experience placements and skills workshops.