MSc Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (Online)
Our online TESOL course is ideal for those who want to study while continuing to teach.
Key facts
- Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
- Start date September 2023, September 2024
- Application notes Applications for 2024-25 entry will open in September 2023
- Duration MSc part-time: 30 months (24 months of modules, six months dissertation)
- Mode of study part time
- Delivery online
Overview
Our online TESOL course is an advanced training and professional qualification for people who already work in any area of teaching English as a foreign or second language. You’ll leave with the knowledge and practical classroom skills to be a confident, critically reflective and enterprising teacher.
Delivered completely online, but with the option of attending modules on campus, this course is ideal for those who want to study while continuing to teach. Delivered by experienced professionals who have lived and taught around the globe, the course offers an excellent balance between theory and practice using a range of cutting-edge, innovative teaching methods.
The course draws on practitioners and best practice from across the TESOL sector, focusing on the development of advanced professional capabilities and knowledge in language learning and teaching.
Pathways
You can work towards our core Masters degree, the MSc TESOL (online), or opt to specialise in one of the following pathways of study:
- MSc TESOL (Corpus Linguistics)
- MSc TESOL (Computer Assisted Language Learning)
Top reasons to study with us
Work placements
You have the opportunity to apply for placement opportunities with our partner institutions in Japan, France and Germany, which normally run from September to November.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, Educational research at the University of Stirling was ranked top 20 in the UK for impact and research environment, with 100% of our research impact and environment in Education classed as world-leading or internationally excellent. Our expert teaching team are on hand to introduce you to cutting-edge empirical and theoretical research in a multi-disciplinary and professional environment.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
Applicants are expected to have at least two years full-time English language teaching experience.
Those entering the course with a recent Cambridge or Trinity DELTA will get exemption from TESPD01 TESOL Methodology in year 1 and TESPD06 Grammar for TESOL in year 2.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in speaking and listening
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 overall with a minimum of 176 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 180 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with a minimum of 62 in reading and writing and 60 in speaking and listening
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a minimum of Merit in speaking and listening and distinction in reading and writing, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - High Pass with a minimum of 152/200 overall including 38 in reading and writing, and 33 in speaking and listening
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Course details
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
How you'll learn online
Delivery of modules is carried out online. Although not essential, should you wish to attend modules on campus, this can be arranged. Learning and professional development is facilitated by regular guided group work tasks online.
This course benefits from considerable staff expertise in online learning. All lectures are delivered as recorded video tutorials with participation in the form of online tasks, which provide opportunities for you to ask questions, engage in discussions and collaborate with your course colleagues. As a fully online experience, this course offers the flexibility to study at your own time and wherever you are in the world.
Assessment
Progress is assessed by coursework assignments and, for the MSc, the dissertation.
All students who wish to be awarded the Masters in TESOL are required to undertake a dissertation.
- Students who take the CALL module (TESPD04) and complete the CALL Portfolio (TESP051) will graduate with the named award - MSc TESOL (Computer Assisted Language Learning)
- Students who take the Corpora module (TESPD05) and complete a corpus-based dissertation (TESP050) will graduate with the named award - MSc TESOL (Corpus Linguistics)
Course director
Key staff
Dr Viola Wiegand
v.wiegand@stir.ac.uk / tesol@stir.ac.uk
+44 (0)178 646 7746
Dr Viola Wiegand is a Lecturer in Education (TESOL) and Vice Chair of the Scottish Association for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (SATEFL). Before joining the University of Stirling, she was part of the TESOL teams at the Universities of Birmingham and Bath. At Stirling, Viola coordinates the MSc TESOL (Online) and teaches the on-campus MSc TESOL programme. Her research involves corpus linguistics and discourse analysis – to examine patterns of meaning in texts – and applications of corpora in language education.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK | £9,975 | £10,500 |
| Students from the Republic of Ireland | £9,975 | £10,500 |
| Overseas (non-EU) students | £9,975 | £10,500 |
| European Union students | £9,975 | £10,500 |
Students from the UK
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from the Republic of Ireland
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
EU Postgraduate Scholarship
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Postgraduate Scholarship, which provides a 40% fee discount on full-time, on-campus postgraduate degrees at the University of Stirling.
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
We offer a range of funding options for overseas students.
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
91% of Education students at the University of Stirling felt their course has enhanced their employability
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2021
Graduates will leave with an advanced knowledge and understanding of the TESOL sector, enabling them to take on more responsibility in current or future roles overseas or in the UK.
As experienced teachers, the qualification provides access to a wider range of career opportunities and increases the opportunities for promotion to more senior roles.
On completion of the MSc TESOL, overseas graduates will be well prepared to sit all three modules of the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations TKT.
Employability skills
We’re committed to enhancing your employability. Once you register for the MSc TESOL, you’ll have access to the first-class range of services offered by our Career Development Centre.
We also provide you with a tailored workshop series entitled “My career in TESOL” aimed at developing your awareness of continuous professional development, your knowledge of job market requirements and your confidence in applying for jobs.
What our students said
MSc TESOL
Read Fatma's storyThe University of Stirling has provided me with a fruitful yet challenging experience.
MSc TESOL
Read Ashley's storyI undertook the MSc TESOL at Stirling because of the global reputation Stirling has.