Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA) MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Learn how to teach a truly global language Year of entry: 2026 (September) Overview Course content Fees and funding Teaching and assessment Careers Entry requirements Start date September 2026 View semester dates Length 1 year full-time School/department Department of Education Apply for this course Sign up for event invites Sign up for our postgraduate emails to get event invites straight to your inbox. Find out more Develop your knowledge of approaches to English language teaching to facilitate better teaching practice. This course will provide you with the tools and resources you need to evaluate current issues and key trends in language learning and teaching in a range of contexts, and consider their application in classroom instruction, assessment, materials development and the English language curriculum. You'll also learn how to conduct your own research. The course strengthened the skills I needed to pursue my career as an English teacher by offering me a variety of approaches and methodologies which enhanced my qualifications.
Key Program Features
- Immersive On-Campus Experience: In-person seminars, laboratory sessions, and professional networking at University of York.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Humanities & Arts.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 12 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Careers and skills
This masters is an ideal foundation for careers in the language education sector, and for postgraduate students looking to go on to further study such as PhD.
Many of our graduates become English language teachers around the world: in private language schools, state schools, universities and other organisations requiring English language instruction. Others find employment opportunities in areas such as course and syllabus design, and materials writing in large and small scale publishing houses.
This course can be used to complement teacher training/development and voluntary or paid roles which focus on the more practical elements of teaching. However this course is not a teacher training programme.
Career opportunities
- English teacher
- Education consultant
- Admissions advisor at a university
- English editor
- Immigration advisor
- Management trainee
Transferable skills
- Research methods
- Data analysis
- Design and completion of original research
- Critical reasoning
- Communication skills (including intercultural communication)
- Academic and professional language skills in English
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Time-management
Program Curriculum
Course content
This course is designed for home or overseas students who wish to pursue a career teaching English as a second or foreign language, but who have little or no formal teaching experience.
You'll study applied linguistics, approaches to English teaching and research methods on which later training in practical teaching can build. You'll explore theories of language acquisition and language teaching, with an emphasis on how you can apply such theories in practice.
You will take a total of 180 credits, consisting of four core modules, two option modules, and a dissertation. You also have the choice of two routes: either the research route, consisting of Research Methods for Language Education II and the traditional research Dissertation (ISM) or the Professional Practice Route, consisting of Professional Practice in Education and the Professional Practice Dissertation.
This course does not include a teaching placement.
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules TESOL Methods English Linguistics or Language for Education Research Methods for Language Education I: Researching Questions Research Methods for Language Education II: Answering Questions or Professional Practice in Education* *You must choose this module in Semester 2 in order to take the Professional Practice Dissertation. Option modules You will also study one option module: Bilingualism Teaching English for Academic Purposes Teaching World Englishes Intercultural Communication in Education Motivation in Education Language and Power Artificial Intelligence and Technology Enhanced Learning: Key Issues & Debates Assessment in Education Evaluating TESOL Classroom Practice The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information, please get in touch . Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation Independent Study Module (Dissertation) Professional Practice Dissertation (you need to choose the Professional Practice in Education module in Semester 2 to take this option) You will develop, design, implement and manage your own original research project, supervised by a member of staff with the relevant experience for your topic. Examples of dissertations recently completed by students include: Teaching English Language for Cultural Understanding Identity and Language Learning Reforming Mathematics Education Practical Work in School Science Teaching Education Reform in Rural China
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as English Language, Linguistics or Education with a substantial English component |
| International pre-masters programme | Pre-masters from our International Pathway College |
| Other qualifications and experience | If you will have at least one year's teaching experience by the time this course starts you should consider applying for our MA in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer. The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements. After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
EUR 15,680/year (international)
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Additional costs
There are no mandatory additional fees, but we do recommend that you set aside some money for photocopying. Course books will be available from the Library and online reading packs are available for most modules, but you may wish to buy your own copies. Each book typically costs £20 to 40.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Additional costs
There are no mandatory additional fees, but we do recommend that you set aside some money for photocopying. Course books will be available from the Library and online reading packs are available for most modules, but you may wish to buy your own copies. Each book typically costs £20 to 40.
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Application Deadline 2018-06-03
- Start Date 2018-09-07
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)
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