Teaching English for Academic Purposes PGDip

Course overview

In this part-time, fully online course, you’ll develop your skills in teaching English for Academic Purposes. You'll focus on how academic English is taught and explore different approaches within the field. Alongside this, you’ll look at the wider context, examining politics and cultures within higher education as they relate to understanding and teaching academic communication.

You’ll build on your research and analytical skills, as well as your linguistic and intercultural knowledge, allowing you to develop as a practitioner. Throughout the course, you’ll collaborate with others, developing your teaching practice and your ability to research and engage in scholarship about your practice, contributing to the field through your work.

Study the course that suits you – with our flexible course structure, you can choose to work towards a certificate, diploma or a Masters qualification, starting in September or January. This postgraduate diploma (PGDip) course allows you to explore the same range of modules as the Masters course, but without a scholarship project in the final year. You could also choose to enrol on individual modules.

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Course details

In your first year studying part-time, you’ll explore the context and cultures involved in academic communication. You’ll get to grips with a range of theoretical frameworks and explore current issues and research in the field. You’ll be introduced to new perspectives and approaches, at the forefront of theory and practice in English for Academic Purposes.

In your second year, you’ll study both core and optional modules to deepen your knowledge of key concepts in the teaching of English for academic purposes, such as principles of curriculum design, text analysis, ethics and malpractice, and academic leadership. You’ll develop your ability to analyse different forms of communication, undertake research, evaluate key issues in the field and apply the knowledge you’ve gained to your teaching practice.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Teaching English for Academic Purposes PGDip in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 2 compulsory modules

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

You'll study with experts in the field at the University of Leeds Language Centre, who are directly involved in the practice and development of teaching English for Academic Purposes. Throughout the course, you’ll develop your ability to research and share your findings, becoming an active participant in global academic networks.

You’ll study online, taking part in asynchronous recorded lectures and seminar discussions, working individually and with others. You’ll access learning materials through Minerva, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as well as other learning platforms and be able to get module information, take part in discussion boards, submit your work and check your grades. Through collaborative activities, you’ll develop your professional networks of peer support, and you’ll also have individual support from tutors with your learning and development.

As well as advice from your tutors, you’ll have access to specific resources to help you learn online. Our university library also provides a range of online resources, such as e-journals and e-books. You'll be able to sign up for online workshops, and access on-demand content covering a range of topics.

Independent study is an important part of the course, as it allows you to develop key research skills and develop your own ideas.

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

You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods and genre types on this course, such as written essays on areas of interest to you, presentations, teaching observations and research projects.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor undergraduate degree or equivalent, plus either:

• a postgraduate teaching qualification, such as a postgraduate certificate in Education, Higher Education or Academic Practice; a CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching); a DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching), or

• at least two years of teaching experience in higher education or teaching English for specific purposes.

International

Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.

You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 7.0 in all components, or equivalent. 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.

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

How to apply

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.

Places are limited and courses may become full and close before the application deadline.

Next steps

Qualified applicants will be invited to an interview, which may take place via a video conferencing platform such as Zoom.

Applying for individual modules

You can also choose to enrol on individual modules. View the individual modules for more information and how to apply.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

The Language Centre
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies

Contact us

Taught Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: lcspg@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £7,666 (Total)

International: £7,666 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

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.

Find out more about Funding and Scholarships.

Career opportunities

On completion of the course, you will have developed your knowledge and understanding of Higher Education communication, cultures and contexts. Your understanding of academic practices and communication as well as your own teaching practice will allow you to pursue a career in teaching English for Academic Purposes or related jobs, including teaching English, lecturing in EAP, academic leadership and management, learning development, academic translation and curriculum design.

The skills and knowledge you will gain are highly valued by employers across all sectors, allowing you the opportunity to pursue many different career options.

You may wish to pursue your study to Masters or PhD level, and you’ll be in a good position to pursue an academic career.

Careers support

All of our students can access online resources and expert support from our Careers Centre, helping you to achieve your own career goals. You can book online guidance appointments, get help with updating your CV and much more.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.