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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) In-Service MA

London, Bloomsbury

The UCL TESOL MA programme comprises two routes: In-service and Pre-service. The TESOL MA In-service aims to enhance the career prospects of a second or foreign language teacher and contribute to professional development. Students will explore the latest developments in the theory, policy and practice of TESOL, working with leading experts in the field and other MA students from around the world.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£13,500
£6,750
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£29,800
£14,900
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject (e.g. English, languages, education, linguistics). Those with other degrees may still apply as all applications are evaluated holistically. Applicants must also have at least two years' relevant experience.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting September.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This programme will give you the opportunity to discuss and debate issues related to teaching second and foreign languages. You will also develop your knowledge of how theory can inform practice in second and foreign language education. You will deepen your understanding of key concepts and ideas, and develop your ability to select, design and evaluate language teaching materials.

Who this course is for

This programme is suitable for practising teachers of English as a second or foreign language (ESL, EFL, ESOL) throughout the world. We accept teachers of other languages on the understanding that most of the examples used during the programme will be drawn from English language teaching.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This TESOL degree combines research-informed learning with the opportunity to reflect on and enhance your own professional practice. You will receive strong support throughout from our team of tutors, all of whom have international experience in language research and teaching. You will also become part of one of the oldest and most well-known centres for English language teacher development, and will have the opportunity to work with leading researchers from the UCL Centre for Applied Linguistics as well as MA students from all around the world.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

The programme provides graduates with a rigorous, research-based education based on the latest developments in the area of TESOL. This will give them a natural advantage when applying for teaching or other TESOL-related posts. We also help students focus on employability skills whilst they are here, for example, through departmental talks and other networking opportunities within the department and the wider UCL community. We are keen to stay in touch with graduates, who are ambassadors for our programme throughout the world, and to hear about your professional trajectories and how your degree and training prepared you for career opportunities post-degree.

The most valuable thing that IOE gave me was the opportunity to develop my criticality and creativity. I think that the way I do everything now is more critical and creative, that’s why I can participate in conferences, do research and teach in a different style.

Flor Toledo-Sandoval, TESOL MA student

Flor Toledo-Sandoval

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) In-Service MA

Q&A with Flor Toledo-Sandoval

Employability

Graduates of the MA TESOL In-Service programme work in a broad range of areas. Some are employed as teachers of English (or other languages) working in early years and adult education, or with specific populations (e.g., higher education, business professionals, newcomers). Others work as managers or directors of study in the private sector or state schools. Graduates of the programme can also be found working as curriculum or materials developers, language assessment professionals, education journalists, editors, publishers, NGO and development officers, education consultants, teacher trainers, or policy advisers. Some choose to pursue doctoral studies or embark on research careers.

Networking

Students will have many opportunities to engage in networking activities with scholars, researchers and students in the field of TESOL and related areas. The Centre hosts regular talks which allow students not only to broaden their understanding of issues in the field, but also to be part of a collegial community of scholars and educators. Students can join the British Association for Applied Linguistics, or participate in several activities conducted by the UCL Applied Linguistics Society.

Teaching and learning

Students will have the opportunity to be exposed to a wide variety of teaching methods and strategies, but all sensitive to learning needs and cultural orientations.

Teaching combines various forms, such as lectures, workshops, projects, student presentations, and student-led discussions. Within sessions, students often engage in individual, pair and group tasks. Assessment is by coursework and presentation. Various coursework types are used.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 6 - 8 hours per week in terms 1 and 2. Teaching is a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, feedback, and the use of a Virtual Learning Environment. In addition to this, full-time students typically study a minimum 7 hours per week, per module, in self-directed study, plus, students would be required to commit additional time to preparing and completing coursework assignments.

In term 3 students will be completing their drafts and then the final assignments for both of their term 2 modules, and continuing their dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors into mid July (draft submission) and then completing the research, analysis and final writing up of their dissertation during August.

Please note that contact hours may vary depending on the modules you choose.

Modules

The programme consists of one core module (30 credits), one compulsory research dissertation (60 credits), and three optional modules (90 credits). Full-time students will complete the programme within one year

Autumn term

  • Core Module (Fundamentals of Second and Foreign Language Teaching)
  • Optional module 1
  • Dissertation module

Spring term

  • Dissertation module/supervision
  • Optional module 2
  • Optional module 3

Summer term

Dissertation supervision

The programme consists of one core module (30 credits), one compulsory research dissertation (60 credits), and three optional modules (90 credits). Part-time students will complete the programme over two years.

Autumn term year 1

  • Core Module

Spring term year 1

  • Optional module 1

Summer term year 1

  • Optional module 2

Autumn term year 2

  • Optional module 3
  • Dissertation module

Spring term year 2

  • Dissertation module/supervision

Summer term year 2

  • Dissertation supervision

The programme consists of one core module (30 credits), one compulsory research dissertation (60 credits), and three optional modules (90 credits). Modular/flexible students will have up to 5 years to complete the programme. 

The first module you take on this programme should be your core module Fundamentals of Second and Foreign Language Teaching (CCME0048). You will then need to enrol on 3 optional modules before taking your dissertation in the final year of your studies.

Compulsory modules




Optional modules
















Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) In-Service.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Where you'll study

Department of Culture, Communication and Media

The Department of Culture, Communication and Media is committed to excellence in research and teaching in the areas of Art, Design and Museology, Academic writing, English education, Applied Linguistics, Music Education, Learning with Digital Technologies and teacher professional development.

Find out more about the department

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Applied Linguistics MA and TESOL MA

Are you interested in investigating questions around language, culture and diversity? Our programmes bring together a wide range of expertise to explore these issues from a range of perspectives. We welcome you to book your place at our Virtual Open Event. You will meet our Programme Leaders, hear about the programmes you are interested in and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. These sessions are free and open to all.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £13,500 £6,750
Tuition fees (2025/26) £29,800 £14,900

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Students are responsible for covering any travel, accommodation, and other expenses involved in conducting research for their dissertation, and should account for these costs when planning their finances.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

IOE - Aziz Foundation Scholarships

Value: Full tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: UK

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 5 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 5 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation at International Students House (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised that we will prioritise applications that provide all the required documentation at the point of application.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at graduate level
  • why you want to study Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

* Note that if you do not have any language teaching experience, please consider applying to our MA TESOL Pre-service programme. If you have some language teaching experience, but not the full requirement for In-Service, please consider applying to our MA Applied Linguistics programme.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Culture, Communication and Media
Culture, Communication and Media

ioe.alt@ucl.ac.uk

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