Overview
More than one billion people around the world are learning English.
By 2031 the English language learning market is projected to be worth over £68 billion. This would be a 100% increase in value from 2024 (Meticulous Research, May 2025). This growth is increasing demand and opportunities for qualified experts who can teach English to speakers of other languages.
Our online Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages gives an advanced training and professional qualification for people working in any area of the TESOL sector.
Throughout the course, you’ll have the chance to reflect on your teaching practice in discussion with fellow students and the teaching team, and implement new teaching methods informed by research evidence.
International placement opportunities
Our strong partnerships with other teaching institutions around the world opens doors to optional international placement opportunities. If you are looking to immerse yourself in diverse cultural settings, put your learnings from the MSc TESOL Online course to work through one of our international placements. Previous students on the course have completed placements with organisations that include:
- Next-Level Solutions, France
- Iwate University, Japan
- Zurich University of Teacher Education / PHZH, Switzerland
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany
Choose your ideal TESOL pathway
The course can be studied entirely online, with an option to attend modules on campus. The flexibility of online study means the course is ideal for anyone who want to study while continuing to teach. You can choose to graduate with either a general MSc TESOL or a specialism in MSc TESOL (Computer Assisted Language Learning).
As you study our online TESOL course you’ll gain:
- a thorough grounding in applied linguistics and teaching methodology, including through the use of technology;
- the theoretical, practical and research-based knowledge and skills to be a confident, critically reflective teacher;
- the ability to make informed judgments in language curriculum development and classroom management;
- increased awareness of continuous professional development and job market requirements through our workshop series “My career in TESOL”.
The MSc TESOL online course draws from latest practice to provide an excellent balance of theory, practice, and research. Our teachers have experience of working all over the world. You will graduate fully prepared to take the next step in your career teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
The MSc TESOL (Online) course aims to give you a strong foundation in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- critically reflect upon, further inform, and develop your own personal and/or professional beliefs about the process of language learning and teaching,
- demonstrate a thorough grounding in planning and teaching methodology,
- critically adapt and develop English language teaching activities and materials,
- critically evaluate the evolution and development of the theory and research on second/foreign language learning and teaching,
- critically assess recent research on language learning to make well-informed judgments in language curriculum development and the management of learning in the language classroom, and
- develop the skills for a small-scale research project based on your evaluation of different research approaches.
Research overview
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, Educational research at the University of Stirling was ranked top 20 in the UK for impact and research environment, with 100% of our research impact and environment in Education classed as world-leading or internationally excellent. Our expert teaching team are on hand to introduce you to cutting-edge empirical and theoretical research in a multi-disciplinary and professional environment.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
Applicants are expected to have at least two years full-time English language teaching experience.
Those entering the course with a recent Cambridge or Trinity DELTA will get exemption from TESPD01 TESOL Methodology in year 1 and TESPD06 Grammar for TESOL in year 2.
International entry requirements
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 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in speaking and listening.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with a minimum of 62 in reading and writing and 60 in speaking and listening.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Course details
The goal of this course is to equip you with a solid grounding in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Upon successful completion of this course, you will build the ability to:
- engage in thoughtful self-reflection and enhance your personal and/or professional beliefs regarding language learning and teaching.
- cultivate a comprehensive understanding of planning and teaching methodologies.
- adapt and enhance English language teaching activities and materials with a critical approach.
- evaluate the evolution and advancement of theory and research in second/foreign language learning and teaching.
- make informed judgments in language curriculum development and classroom management based on a critical assessment of recent research in language learning.
- develop the necessary skills to conduct a small-scale research project by evaluating various research approaches.
MSc TESOL (Online) is a part-time course and includes four 15-week semesters of taught modules and a six-month dissertation period.
Modules
Teaching
How you'll learn online
Delivery of modules is carried out online. Although not essential, should you wish to attend modules on campus, this can be arranged. Learning and professional development is facilitated through a range of methods and materials, including video tutorials, interactive discussions and activities, critical reflections, online microteaching, independent study, and so forth. Our learning and teaching approach aims not only to transfer knowledge to you but also to build your confidence to learn independently while developing a wide range of skills.
Modules offer a mixture of online content including videos, recorded short lectures, and interactive activities. You will be encouraged to develop as an independent learner, working through reading and tasks set on a weekly basis. You are expected to set aside a substantial part of your week to complete this work.
During teaching sessions, you will discuss topics you have been given to prepare in advance, work through tasks in groups and ask questions. This allows you to consolidate your knowledge, delve into the subject and work with your fellow students, who will come from diverse backgrounds. These activities will help you develop graduate attributes including teamwork, communication and time management skills. As well as these sessions, you might have to complete tasks outside classes to help your understanding of the subject and develop your skills.
Assessment
Progress is assessed by coursework assignments and, for the Masters, the dissertation. All students who wish to be awarded the Masters in TESOL are required to undertake a dissertation.
- Students who take the CALL module (TESPD04) and complete the CALL Portfolio (TESP051) will graduate with the named award -MSc TESOL (Computer Assisted Language Learning).
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 delivered online through a range of methods and materials, including video tutorials, interactive discussions and activities, critical reflections, online microteaching and independent study. The Dissertation module includes 6 scheduled hours, 9 supervision hours, and 585 independent hours dedicated to independent study, resulting in a total of 600 hours.
Course director
+44 (0)178 646 6133
tesol@stir.ac.uk / adnan.yilmaz@stir.ac.uk
Dr Adnan Yilmaz currently works as a Lecturer in Education (TESOL) and serves as the director of the MSc TESOL courses at the University of Stirling. Previously, he worked in the English Language Teaching Programme at Sinop University in Turkey and in the Turkish Language Programme at the University of Arizona in the United States. He coordinates and teaches courses both in the campus-based and online MSc TESOL courses at Stirling. His research interests include language teacher education, intercultural communication, social justice language education, and instructional technologies.
Key staff
Dr Viola Wiegand
v.wiegand@stir.ac.uk / tesol@stir.ac.uk
+44 (0)178 646 7746
Dr Viola Wiegand is a Lecturer in Education (TESOL) and Vice Chair of the Scottish Association for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (SATEFL). Before joining the University of Stirling, she was part of the TESOL teams at the Universities of Birmingham and Bath. At Stirling, Viola coordinates the MSc TESOL (Online) and teaches the on-campus MSc TESOL programme. Her research involves corpus linguistics and discourse analysis – to examine patterns of meaning in texts – and applications of corpora in language education.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
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.
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
British Council Scholarship for English Language Teachers India
The British Council Scholarship for English Language Teachers India is available for Indian students who are studying MSc TESOL (Online)
on a part-time, distance-learning basis over 30 months.
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
Our MSc TESOL (Online) gives you the skills you’ll need to take on more responsibility in current or future TESOL roles and prepares you for promotion to more senior roles.
The average salary for a TESOL teacher is £34,000 per year (Glassdoor), and 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 (Online) 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
