Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (on-line) (MSc)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply. Those entering the MSc TESOL programme with a Cambridge DELTA, Cambridge CELTA, or Trinity DipTESOL, awarded within the previous five years, may be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Where approved, students will normally be exempted from TESP002 TESOL Methodology and one further module, either TESP004 Grammar for TESOL or TESP006 Microteaching, depending on availability in the relevant academic year. All RPL decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and are subject to approval by the Programme Team. Other routes of entry If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available. International entry requirements View the entry requirements for your country. English language requirements If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills: IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in speaking and listening. Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with a minimum of 60 in reading and writing and 59 in speaking and listening. TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking. TOEFL exams taken after January 21 2026: 4.5 overall with no less than 4 in any band See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements. Pre-sessional English language courses If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses .

Course details

Our MSc TESOL course offers the flexibility to study full-time or part-time. The full-time option comprises of two semesters of taught modules followed by a three-month dissertation period. The part-time option spans four semesters of taught modules and a six-month dissertation period. You can specialise in one of the following routes (pathways) depending on the modules you choose: MSc TESOL MSc TESOL and Applied Linguistics MSc TESOL and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Before selecting modules, you must seek advice from the Course Director with regards to which modules you need to take, based on your previous qualifications and English teaching experience. Students with less than two years' appropriate teaching experience must take TESP006 in the Spring semester. Modules Teaching The course employs various teaching methods, including in-person lectures, seminars, video tutorials, interactive discussions, and activities. Modules incorporate a blend of face-to-face teaching sessions and online content such as videos, recorded lectures, and interactive activities. The learning approach aims not only to impart knowledge but also to cultivate independent learning and skills development. Offering a wide array of compulsory and optional modules, the course adjusts optional modules periodically, sometimes contingent on prerequisite or co-requisite completion. Detailed requirements are outlined in the Module Descriptors. Optional modules may vary annually based on student demand and teaching staff availability. Taught by experienced researchers with extensive TESOL connections, including affiliations with publishers and organisations like the British Council, the course provides networking opportunities through English Language Teaching and Research (ELTR) events featuring workshops and seminars by industry experts. Students also have opportunities to observe language teaching and potentially teach through local and international placement at our partner institutions. Assessment In general, progress is assessed by coursework assignments and, for the Masters, the dissertation. The Postgraduate Certificate in TESOL is awarded on the successful completion of 60 coursework modules worth 60 credits. The Postgraduate Diploma in TESOL is awarded on successful completion of coursework modules worth 120 credits. The Masters (MSc) TESOL is awarded upon successful completion of coursework modules worth 120 credits plus a dissertation of 15,000 words. We use a range of assessment methods designed as formative and summative assessments. These assessment methods include written assignments, annotated bibliography, coursework, portfolio, poster, presentation (oral) and artefact (e.g., poster/PowerPoint/report), reflective essay or journal, research proposal, and teaching plan. Assessment criteria follow the common marking scheme of the University. They are provided on our VLE (virtual learning environment), and the assessment process is carefully explained. Where criteria vary for a particular module, this will also be explained. Classroom hours All modules are conducted face-to-face on campus, supplemented by online components such as video tutorials, recorded lectures, and/or virtual discussions. Typically, modules consist of 30 hours of scheduled sessions and 170 hours of self-directed study, totalling 200 hours. The Dissertation module comprises 6 scheduled hours, 9 supervision hours, and 585 independent study hours, totalling 600 hours. Course director Dr Adnan Yilmaz , Course Director Key staff Prof Adrian Blackledge Dr Ildegrada da Costa Cabral Prof Angela Creese Dr Viola Wiegand Dr Adnan Yilmaz

Fees and funding

Fees and costs University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship . Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship . If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students. If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Postgraduate tuition fee loans This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. Additional costs There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees . Scholarships and funding Funding If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances. Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships. Postgraduate tuition fee loans Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales . Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI . International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers. Cost of living If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income. International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling Payment options We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

MSc TESOL graduates leave with the necessary skills to take on more responsibility in current or future TESOL roles overseas or in the UK. Types of roles include: English as foreign language (EFL) teacher Private or online tutor Coursebook and material developer Educational consultant Language programme director Translator and interpreter A TESOL qualification opens up varied opportunities around the world. Popular work destinations for English as a foreign language teachers include Japan, China, Spain, Italy and Germany (Prospects). Organisations such as the British Council, language schools, government departments and multinational companies all benefit from the skills offered by TESOL graduates. Roles Stirling MSc TESOL graduates have gone on to work in include: Head of Curriculum Support ESOL Curriculum Manager Leadership Coach Community Education Worker Translator PhD students Our graduates are working in organisations such as: JP Morgan The Language Gallery University of Edinburgh George Heriot’s School University of Stirling