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Expand your horizons and explore the world as an English Language Education Professional with our MA TESOL (DL) degree. Develop your TESOL teaching to the next level and qualify for teaching, lecturing and academic management posts across the globe.
The MA Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) (DL) provides you with an in-depth, theoretical knowledge of the English Language, contextualises and evaluates global TESOL from a contemporary viewpoint, and develops your identity and classroom practice as a language educator.
The MA TESOL qualification is well respected and opens doors to higher level roles and business opportunities in a truly international field. Teachers with a TESOL qualification are in high demand.
This flexible, distance-learning course is mindfully designed for students who may also be working as teachers or in other jobs. The materials are available to work through in your own time each week.
Our MA TESOL (DL) course allows you to learn from anywhere in the world and will require internet access to engage with the materials and interact with other students and the staff in online discussions. Your tutors will guide and support you via email, phone and Canvas, the University's Virtual Learning Environment.
The programme is in three phases – certificate, diploma and dissertation.
Are you considering studying for a master's in TESOL and want to learn more about your options? We've designed our MA TESOL course to be as flexible as possible in order to meet the needs of our diverse student population. Find out more about which route is right for you.
Learn how flexibly you can study MA TESOL
Online distance learning is a flexible way of taking a course without the need to attend traditional lectures at a college or university, with all of the course material being delivered online. Distance learners studying with the University of Sunderland benefit from lectures and support delivered through our Virtual Learning Environment, which is accessible from anywhere in the world.
Learn more about distance learning
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| a Canadian bachelor's degree | GPA 2.40 |
| a USA bachelor's degree | GPA 2.5 |
If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
We usually require applicants to hold a second class honours degree however alternative qualifications and teaching experience can be taken into consideration.
We offer automatic exemption from the certificate phase if you have a full DELTA or Trinity Diploma in TESOL certificate.
If you require proof of your English Language level, we accept an IELTS score of 6.5 with no skill less than 5.5 or an equivalent SELT. If you were educated in English for your degree, diploma or CELTA, this can also be considered.
2024/25 fees are £8,400.
A £250 deposit must be paid prior to the start of the course. This deposit is refundable up until the point of enrolment.
Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
The MA TESOL qualification is an essential degree for many overseas teaching jobs. Career options can include senior roles in educational institutions, educational advisers, and educational inspectors.
You will find that possessing a master's in TESOL will also support a career in other fields, as employers recognise the higher levels of research, analysis and communication that a postgraduate degree requires.
The course has opened many doors for me, both in the UK and abroad, professionally and academically.
I really enjoyed the course and the way the University dealt with distance learners.
The best part was connecting with other learners and getting high quality feedback.
I’ve been able to see the benefits of my MA TESOL both professionally and financially.
From now on, I can teach whenever and wherever I want in the world!
My time here was challenging, inspiring, very hard work, but well worth the effort.
