TESOL Studies MA

Course overview

Learn to teach English and unlock opportunities worldwide.

On the MA TESOL Studies course, you’ll discover how English works, how people learn languages, and how you can teach it with confidence – even if you’ve never taught before. You’ll dive into practical teaching methods, explore how technology shapes language learning, and see what’s happening right now in classrooms around the world. By the end, you’ll have the skills to plan lessons, understand learners, and choose smart teaching decisions that make a difference.

English is in high demand, and qualified teachers are needed worldwide. This course gives you a head start in a fast‑growing field where you can work internationally, online, or in specialist areas you care about. You’ll learn from friendly, supportive experts who are shaping current trends in TESOL – from digital learning to teacher motivation and English‑medium instruction. If you’re excited by culture, communication and working with people, this course puts you right where the action is.

With an MA TESOL Studies degree, you’ll be ready to start teaching English in schools, private academies, community programmes, or online – in the UK or anywhere in the world. You’ll leave with practical skills, global awareness and the confidence to step into your first teaching role. It’s also a great launchpad for further study or professional development in education, linguistics or international work. Wherever you want to go, an MA in TESOL Studies can support you to get there.

“I wanted to find an English teaching course that wouldn’t require me to have a lot of teaching experience, and MA TESOL Studies was the ideal course.”

Mirza Madihah Zainal, MA Tesl Studies

Why study at Leeds:

• Get hands-on teaching practice with micro‑teaching sessions: Grow into a confident, creative and adaptable English teacher.
• Learn about specialist areas: Delve into subject areas like English for Academic Purposes, digital learning tools, and teaching English to young learners.
• Join TESOL Forum sessions: Chat about fresh ideas, hot topics and real research with experts from around the world.
• Boost your academic writing: Immerse yourself in a one-year tailor-made skills course created just for MA TESOL Studies students.
• Awards and competitions: Our students have a great track record, including the prestigious British Council Master’s Dissertation Award.
• Feel supported from day one: Ourfriendly academic team get what it’s like to study in a new culture and wants you to enjoy your time at Leeds.
• Innovative projects and developments: Learn about exciting language education projects happening at Leeds all the time.

Course details and modules

Throughout this course, you’ll study a range of modules that give you a theoretical and practical introduction to the knowledge and skills needed by a professional practitioner starting out in the field of TESOL.

In semester one, you’ll study three core modules exploring the English language, how second languages are learned and, in general terms, how they may be taught.

In semester two, you’ll build on the theoretical foundation in semester one through a core module on the practicalities of teaching English and you’ll experience planning and teaching lessons through in-class micro-teaching. You’ll be able to specialise in your preferred interests by choosing from a range of optional modules.

Later in semester two, you’ll use the knowledge and skills you gain over the year to carry out a small-scale piece of research related to your own interests within TESOL. To support your work on your research project, you’ll take a compulsory research methods course. Your supervisor will support you throughout the dissertation research process.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read TESOL Studies MA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn through a range of teaching methods, including seminars, tutorials, student-led discussions and group work, complemented by digital technologies. Independent study, either individually or in groups, is an important aspect of this course, allowing you to develop critical problem-solving, communication and research skills that are relevant for you starting a career in TESOL.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies – a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your course, and modules.

The course is informed by research and current global developments in theory and practice in TESOL, and many of your tutors will bring insights from their own research and publications into modular learning activities. The content and activities in seminars and across modules are carefully scaffolded to ensure optimal understanding and learning.

You’ll be encouraged to take part in discussions and problem-solving tasks that involve interaction and collaboration with other students both inside and outside the classroom. You’ll experience innovative teaching methodologies and activities on your modules, which you may later wish to try out in your own microteaching practice.

You’ll have the opportunity to join a specially designed course for MA TESOL Studies students to support your academic writing. Other support is available from the online resources, workshops and one-to-one appointments provided through the University of Leeds library.

Throughout your degree, you’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor who you can meet regularly to discuss any study or career questions you may have.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Your learning on modules is assessed in varied ways, including written assignments, oral presentations, posters and reflective portfolios. On some modules you may have the opportunity to choose a relevant topic of interest to be assessed on.

Assessments reflect the kind of skills and knowledge you’ll need in your TESOL career and encourage you to demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, reflection, communication skills, and practical classroom knowledge around lesson planning and execution.

All your assessments will require you to read widely and use evidence from literature and your own experience to support your arguments and ideas. The assessment tasks will enable you to show a critical understanding of the current debates in TESOL and the application of theory in classroom contexts.

There are guidelines for all your assessments, which provide clearly structured guidance and support. In many modules you have a choice of task and/or topic. To help you prepare, you will have support from module tutors through formative feedback tasks.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree (hons) with a 2:1 or non-UK equivalent in a subject that shows a strong grounding in English Language and/or Education, Linguistics or Foreign Languages. High grades in these subjects are essential.

This course is designed for students who do not have the two years of experience needed for our other TESOL courses.

Beyond a first degree of an appropriate standard and appropriate English language skills, we have no specific requirements. However, we do prefer applicants who can demonstrate an interest in the field of language teaching, for example having been involved in tutoring.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read  Language for Education (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Education (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information we will need include:

• Original or certified copies of your transcripts

• Original or certified copies of your degree certificate

• Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language)

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

School of Education

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions

Email: pgeduc@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £12,000 (Total)

International: £28,750 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below: 

• Scholarships for International students 
• Scholarships and funding for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

The School of Education usually offers a number of scholarships each year. Find out more on the School's scholarships page.

Career opportunities

Where this degree could take you

Most of our students join us from around the world – and after graduating, they head home ready to start exciting careers teaching English in primary, secondary and university settings across both the private and public sectors.

We’re proud to see our graduates develop their careers in university language centres, private academies and state schools across China, the Middle East, Japan, Vietnam and Korea. They’re teaching, leading and shaping the next generation of language learners.

Every year, some of our international students stay in the UK to start their careers teaching ESOL or take on further qualifications like CELTA to advance their credentials. Many others choose to continue their academic journey and move into postgraduate research here in the UK or overseas.

Our home students often stay local, teaching ESOL or EAP across the UK – but plenty are also taking their skills abroad for global opportunities.

And because the course gives you a strong grounding in language learning and teaching, some graduates even go on to teach other languages, like Chinese.

“After I finish my course, I hope to get accepted onto the Japanese Exchange and Teaching program (JET) run by the Japanese government and become an English Language assistant teacher in Japan.”
Sophia Page | School of Education | University of Leeds

Careers support

• At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one – that’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers. The University's Careers Service is one of the largest in the country, providing a wide range of resources to ensure you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.
• Dedicated employability officer – gain quality advice, guidance and information to help you choose a career path. From CV and cover letter writing to supporting you with job applications, our School’s dedicated employability officer is on hand to help maximise your capabilities through a process of personal development and career planning.
• Employability and networking events – we run a full range of events, including careers fairs and industry talks in specialist areas and across broader industries, with employers who are actively recruiting for roles, giving you the opportunity to network and engage with industry sponsors. 
• Employability skills training – to support your transition to the workplace, we embed training in a range of key transferable skills valued by employers such as research and data analysis in all our programmes.
• MyCareer system – while you study and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events
• Opportunities at Leeds – there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

You'll also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.