Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - with optional specialism (MSc/PGDip/PGCert) - January start at University of St Andrews

Programme overview

An on-campus taught programme integrating the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of other languages, with five optional specialisms and MSc, PGDip or PGCert awards. It suits experienced teachers and those considering a career in English language teaching, and includes mentored teaching opportunities though no assessed placement.

Department: International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute (IELLI) | Duration: MSc 18 months; PGDip 12 months; PGCert 6 months | Intake: January 2027 (starts 25 January 2027); application deadline Friday 11 December 2026 | Location: St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

The MSc and PGDip include five compulsory modules (Action Research and Reflection for Education Practitioners; Education and Researching; Language Teaching Methodology; Linguistics for Language Teachers; Second Language Acquisition) plus three optional modules from Assessment and Evaluation in Education, English Medium Instruction, English for Academic Purposes, Teaching Young Learners and Technology for Teaching. An optional specialism in one of these five areas is awarded if one option and the dissertation align. The MSc adds a 15,000-word dissertation; the PGCert is four modules of choice. All assessment is coursework with no exams, and 20% of each module grade comes from an online group discussion forum. Each module runs five weeks with five and a half face-to-face contact hours per week.

Career pathways

Most TESOL graduates work in education as teachers, lecturers, researchers or policymakers, and many continue to doctoral study in TESOL; others work in publishing, journalism and management.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree (or typically a 3.0 to 3.3 out of 4.0 GPA, depending on the higher education system) in any discipline, from any education system; or significant professional or other relevant experience with evidence of prior alternative learning such as professional qualifications or certifications. Application documents: CV with education and employment history, one signed professional or academic reference, transcripts and degree certificates, and evidence of English language proficiency if English is not the first language (a test can be submitted after applying; offers are conditional on it). Personal statement of up to 500 words. Application deadline: Friday 11 December 2026. English language (international applicants, IELTS Academic; equivalents accepted): overall 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component (taught postgraduate profile for the subject area). Also accepted: PTE Academic 70 overall (64 in each skill), TOEFL iBT (pre-2026 scale) 81 overall (reading 16, writing 19, listening 16, speaking 19). Applicants from some countries and those with a degree taught in English at a qualifying institution may not need a test score. Test scores are normally valid for two years.

Domestic applicants: GBP 12,630 for the whole programme. MSc Home fee. PGDip £8,420; PGCert £4,210. Source

International applicants: GBP 27,200 for the whole programme. MSc Overseas fee. PGDip £18,135; PGCert £9,065. Source

Intake: Monday 25 January 2027

Duration: MSc 18 months; PGDip 12 months; PGCert 6 months

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