Overview

This flexible MSc has been developed for teachers and other TESOL professionals – such as educational administrators, inspectors, materials or curriculum developers, assessment specialists, and policymakers – as well as those planning to undertake doctoral study in TESOL or applied linguistics.

The programme particularly values the professional experiences that participants bring. It provides a learning context in which you can reflect on your professional practice, the policies and diverse contextual factors that frame it, the theoretical frameworks that inform it, and the research that exists or could be conducted to substantiate or refute intuitive judgments.

Eligible students will have the opportunity to gain an internationally recognised professional certificate (Cambridge English CELTA) in addition to MSc TESOL. The Cambridge CELTA course is delivered by an external provider and attracts an additional fee. Entry criteria apply.

Programme structure

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Entry requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in English Language, TESOL, or Applied Linguistics. Applicants must also demonstrate six months' classroom teaching experience or other TESOL-industry relevant experience.

Applicants who hold an upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a degree subject not listed above will also be considered but need to demonstrate a minimum of one year's full-time (or part-time equivalent) classroom teaching or other TESOL-industry relevant experience. Examples of the types of roles we consider relevant are:

  • Language curriculum developer
  • Language testers
  • ELT materials designers
  • Language teaching assistants
  • Researchers in a field relevant to TESOL.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

Home: full-time
£12,300 per year
Home: part-time (three years)
£4,100 per year
Home: part-time (two years)
£6,150 per year
Overseas: full-time
£28,200 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and scholarships

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

We offer academic and personal development opportunities to equip you for the intellectual, social and personal challenges you will encounter during your career. Our overarching goal is to enable you to display the following characteristics:

  • equipped to demonstrate impact, excellence and distinctiveness in your chosen field;
  • visionary, imaginative, innovative, reflective and creative;
  • with high ideals and values, including a strong sense of social justice;
  • highly employable throughout the world;
  • adaptable, with the potential to be a leader in work and in the community.