Overview
Open the door to a world of career opportunities with our English Language Teaching and Management Masters, and take advantage of the estimated 100,000 positions for English teachers that become available abroad each year (International TEFL Academy).
This course is suitable for both new and experienced English language teachers. You’ll learn the latest theory and practice of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). You’ll also gain valuable management skills to prepare you for leadership roles in English language schools.
Your studies will include:
- the principles of language learning;
- planning and delivering lessons;
- exploring how the latest technology supports teaching English;
- a range of business modules – including Managing an International Organisation.
English language teaching jobs abroad
This course prepares you for exciting opportunities abroad or in the UK. You can apply for a placement at one of our partner institutions in France, Germany, Switzerland, or Japan. We also run a tailored workshop series designed to prepare you for your career in TESOL.
Guest speakers deliver workshops and seminars to Stirling students, giving you unique networking opportunities as you study. Visiting experts from universities in the UK and USA have covered topics ranging from social justice (Dr Deniz Ortactepe Hart) to digital games in TESOL (Professor Jonathon S Reinhardt).
The course aims to give you a strong foundation in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and a focus on management issues within the subject. 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;
- apply organisational management strategies to educational contexts;
- 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;
- develop the skills for a small-scale research project based on your evaluation of different research approaches.
Local placement
Local placement offers an opportunity to apply the teaching skills and theories learned during your studies. This optional placement involves an approximately eight-week experience in a UK institution, where you can observe and potentially teach English as a second language.
International placement
As an MSc TESOL student, you will have the exceptional opportunity to gain international teaching experience. The MSc TESOL programme has established strong partnerships with institutions globally to facilitate seamless placement opportunities in diverse cultural settings. Eligible students can apply for placements at:
- Next-Level Solutions, France
- Iwate University, Japan
- Zurich University of Teacher Education / PHZH, Switzerland
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany
As a student on our MSc English Language Teaching and Management course, you will have the fantastic opportunity to gain valuable work experience teaching English to non-English speakers in different countries.
The University of Stirling has developed close working partnerships with universities around the world to make finding a placement as seamless as possible and give you tailored teaching and learning opportunities. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for a placement in France, Japan, Switzerland or Germany.
Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany
Undertake class observation, small group work supervision and teaching assistance in a local high school. During the school holiday, you will have a chance to work with materials development or with writing support at the university.
Next-Level Solutions, France
Your placement will be based at After School, an English language learning centre in the area of Chatou in the city of Paris. You will undertake class observation, teaching assistance and teach in the language centre and also in local elementary, junior and senior schools
Iwate University, Japan
Your placement will be based at Iwate University in the city of Morioka, which is the capital of Iwate. You will undertake class observation, assist in workshops to local teachers, teach undergraduate students about teaching English to young leaners
More information on applying for these opportunities will be provided to students undertaking our MSc English Language Teaching and Management.
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.
80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).
Entry 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.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry 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.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 20 in speaking, 18 in reading and 23 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling 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
The course aims to provide you with a strong foundation in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and a focus on management issues within the subject. Through the Masters in English Language Teaching and Management, you will be able to:
- reflect critically and develop your personal and professional beliefs regarding language learning and teaching;
- apply effective organisational management strategies in educational settings;
- critically modify and create teaching activities and materials for English language education;
- analyse and evaluate the historical progress and current state of theory and research in second/foreign language learning and teaching;
- make well-informed assessments of recent research in language learning, contributing to curriculum development and classroom management;
- acquire the necessary skills to undertake a small-scale research project by evaluating various research approaches.
Our MSc TESOL course offers the flexibility to study full-time or part-time. The full-time option comprises 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.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
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.
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 virtual learning environment, and the assessment process is carefully explained. Where criteria vary for a particular module, this will also be explained.
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.
Fees and funding
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.
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 £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 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.
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.
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
After graduating from this course, you’ll be well placed for a range of exciting job opportunities. Teaching English gives you the chance to work all over the world, as a manager in a language school or language teaching department. Those in management positions can earn over £35,000 which makes this degree very appealing for students (prospects.ac.uk).
Our TESOL graduates can be found working in organisations such as:
- UNICEF
- Glasgow International College
- St. Andrew’s College Language Schools
- OnCampus Global
- the British Council
- Global Voices
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