Intro

This MA is designed to help you develop professionally as an English language teacher in a global context.

The course enables you to return to the fundamentals of the teaching English as a second, other or foreign language through an in-depth examination of the English language, an exploration of English teaching, and an investigation of how second languages are learned. You’ll explore materials use, evaluation, adaptation, supplementation, and materials design and creation, and also address key developments in contemporary approaches to English language teaching.

You'll apply theory to practice by reflecting on your own experience as a language learner and teacher, alongside engaging with relevant theories, lectures, seminars, reading and discussions with your peers on the course.

Our tutors are experienced in English language teaching, teacher education, materials development, postcolonial theory and the use of educational technologies.

If you have already completed a relevant qualification you may be able to use those credits against study for the TESOL MA, saving you time and money. It is also possible to study for a postgraduate diploma by taking the six taught modules.

Find out about postgraduate events

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year
Part-time up to 6 years

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Course content

Course structure

The course provides a supportive, stimulating and culturally diverse environment. You will undertake six modules and the dissertation.

It is delivered flexibly – the full-time course is taken over one year but you can also take the course part-time, up to six years. Studying part-time means that you can take the option modules in any order, however, you will always undertake the dissertation at the end.

Academic support

All learning is supported by a range of resources including excellent library provision, as well as support for your academic writing and study skills.

We give extra support to TESOL students whose first language is not English, providing a variety of pre-sessional language programmes for students who want to improve their language skills before starting their degree.

We also organise a regular writing group for our all students, led by an experienced English for Academic Study tutor. Watch our video to find out more about how the writing group could benefit you.

Syllabus

Modules

Language Awareness
You will explore English language and discourse and develop the ability to critically evaluate grammatical frameworks that are currently used in English language teaching worldwide. The module is assessed through an examination which asks you to apply learning to teaching problems and issues.

Exploring English Language Teaching
You will investigate key aspects of contemporary English language teaching. The module is built around the following areas: teacher cognitions and competencies; the teacher’s role and practice; classroom interaction and discourse; methods and Post-method; the relevance of context; learner diversity; and curricula and course design. These areas are examined in terms of their relevance to effective teaching practices, and all study is underpinned by the concept of evidence-based teaching. The module is assessed through an essay.

Second and Multiple Language Acquisition
You will explore research on second and multilingual language learning from analysis of learner language to current cognitive and sociocultural models. It will also help you to consider the implications of such research for second language teaching and teachers. The module is assessed through an essay.

Materials, Media and Technology
This module helps you to evaluate, adapt, supplement and create materials to support language teaching and learning. You investigate the role of the design processes and pedagogical principles underlying materials production. You also explore the appropriacy of different media technologies for materials production. It is assessed through a portfolio of work which includes: materials developed to support an aspect of language work; presentations from seminars; and a written discussion on the design process and its outcomes.

Contexts, Cultures and Contemporary Topics in English Language Teaching (ELT)
This module allows English language teachers to deepen their critical understanding of the ways in which cultures shape and frame language teaching and learning in multiple contexts. There are opportunities to reflect on personal and professional histories across national, cultural, linguistic, ideological and political borders, and consider impact on identity construction and engagement with pedagogies and practices. Theory and practice relating to critical pedagogy, intercultural communication and a range of contemporary topics within ELT are critically explored. Assessment is through a presentation.

Teaching World Englishes: Theory and Practice
This module is designed to raise your awareness of the global spread of the English language and the historical, political and sociological factors that have contributed to this development. You will explore the various debates surrounding models of English in teaching/learning, monolingual/multilingual speaker teacher, ownership and use of English in both your own and the wider global context. You will also critically engage with the implications for learning and teaching English as an international language. This module is assessed through critically reflective response and an essay.

Dissertation
The dissertation is a 12,000-word piece of work. It is the culmination of your MA experience and is based on independent research. It is self-managed, but you have a close support from your supervisor. If you are completing the course in one year, you will start your research in May and complete your dissertation over the summer.

Student views

Hasan Mohammad Mohammad

The course definitely stimulated me intellectually. The readings we did, the discussions we had in classes, the way of writing academically and most importantly the way it made me reflect on practice with the ELT theories and topics we’ve taken such as teachers beliefs and language materials.

Krisztian Varga

The course teachers are experts in their fields and are able to professionally balance giving feedback and help and encouragement – enough to help us with our difficulties and get us closer to our goals. Their insights and support are vital in the closing stages of our journey in order to help us consolidate our knowledge and allow us to bring the absolute best out of ourselves.

TESOL at Brighton – on film

Hear students describe their experience of learning to teach at the University of Brighton.

Thanks to Chiaki Hashizume (English Language Teaching MA), Cristian Palombizio (English Language Teaching MA), Hajoung Ko (TESOL MA), Hasan Mohammad (TESOL MA), Heeho Yang (TESOL MA), Mark Thomas (TESOL with ICT MA), Talitha Tuijin (TESOL MA) and Yuejie Jin (English Language Teaching MA).

Please enable targeting cookies in order to view this video content on our website, or you can watch the video on YouTube.

Careers

Graduating with a TESOL MA from the University of Brighton will open up opportunities across the world in the field of English language teaching. Equipped with relevant research skills and advanced knowledge about secondary language learning, you will have all of the relevant training you need to begin your career.

Our graduates have gone on to successful positions not only in second language teaching in schools and universities but also in educational management, educational marketing, teacher training, materials development and publishing, as well as further academic study.

You can find more information – including job opportunities – at careers.tesol.org.

Graduate success

Diego Fernando Macias Villegas returned to his home country of Colombia after the MA to work in teacher education and has since been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to complete his doctorate in the US. Diego has written widely and authored seven publications.

Esin Yuksel from Turkey wrote an essay for the Language Teacher Education module that was later published in an international journal. She wrote to us to say: "When I started working, I realised how much the TESOL MA extended my knowledge of English language teaching and my research skills... Thank you for everything."

Hashem Adnan from Kuwait published his MA dissertation as a book on teaching English to footballers. He now manages a popular blog for Kuwaiti teachers.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Degree and experience

Applicants should normally have an undergraduate honours degree (usually at 2:2 level or above) or equivalent in a relevant subject area, for example English language, literature, education, foreign languages and media.

Applicants without an undergraduate degree will be considered on the basis of appropriate experience in relevant areas or some professional experience in fields such as teaching, teacher education, interpreting, journalism, cultural, social and educational policy, publishing and materials writing. These applicants may be required to provide written evidence (for example, an assignment from a training course or an essay set by the admissions team) of their analytical and reflective skills in writing.

All applicants are required to have a minimum of 12 months full-time, or 24 months part-time experience teaching English as a second, foreign or other language.

Credit towards the MA (up to 60 credits) can be given to applicants who have completed our own Diploma in TESOL (level 7), the Cambridge Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA) or Trinity’s Diploma in TESOL.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through our Extended Masters programme.

Other
The admissions team will look at references for evidence of preparedness to undertake level 7 study, in particular commitment to sustained academic work. Candidates may also be required to attend an interview. The interview will focus on the candidate’s potential to benefit from and contribute to the programme of study. Candidates from overseas, or those living at some distance from Brighton, may choose to have a telephone or Skype interview.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK full-time)8,100 GBP

International (full-time)15,800 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Humanities and Social Science in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

For some assessments you may be required to print large format posters for presentations at a cost of £5–£10 per poster.
Most coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget up to £100 for printing.
Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £200 to buy your own copies.
Some courses include an optional placement module for which students will need to cover the costs of travel to and from the placement and DBS checks as required.
For the Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling PGDip and Psychotherapeutic Psychodynamic Counselling PGDip, the following course-related costs are not included in the tuition fee:
- Supervision fees: £1,170 for each full year. Estimated based on £45 per hour with fortnightly meetings. In some agencies, supervision will be provided at no cost. Where students have to pay, the cost will only begin when supervision begins.
- Personal counselling/therapy: £2,000–£2,800 over the course. Estimated based on £40 per hour.
For a number of courses you will have the opportunity to attend field trips and off-site visits. These are optional and are not required to pass your course but under normal circumstances we would expect a budget of approximately £150 per year will cover the costs of particular trips. The amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken.
You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you'll find new Students' Union, events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition.

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Stay in touch