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MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

MA (NFQ Level 9)
Scholarships Available

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Arts
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (60 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Graduate Diploma
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Arts
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now

Our TESOL programmes are unique, because they help you develop your professional practice skills through in-class microteaching and formal teaching practice. You will analyse and improve your practice through critical reflection and feedback within a supportive environment. You will also have the opportunity to observe live English language classes in the Centre and learn from highly qualified teachers who have extensive TESOL experience. You will see a difference in how you approach your teaching and in the value you give to your students. 

Students on the MA TESOL programme will explore the theoretical underpinnings of English language teaching and will link them directly to their experience in the classroom. Students will develop best practice through engagement with state-of-the art research and acquire a familiarity with technological advances. Each week, research will be brought to the practical setting of the classroom context as students develop their knowledge and reflect on good practice. This goal will be achieved through the use of small groups, discussions, teaching observations, presentations, workshops and blended learning.  

See our website for more information here

The UCD Language Centre offers a number of competitive Scholarships up to 50 % for students who will study on the MA full-time each year.

This programme is suitable for teachers of English as a second, foreign or additional language who have a minimum of one year relevant teaching experience.  Applicants with less/no experience should apply for our other MA TESOL Pre-Service stream Z378 instead.

 

About This Course

  • Apply a critical reflection to a range of language teaching, learning and assessment approaches and adopt theory into practice.
  • Demonstrate an evidence based understanding of teaching, learning and assessment in TESOL.
  • Develop a practical approach to research planning and writing skills.
  • Develop leadership competencies in teaching, curriculum design, assessment, management, teacher development or materials design.
  • Foster a deeper understanding of the English language and the classroom implications of teaching applied language skills.
  • Integrate a range of language teaching, learning and assessment technologies to enhance their students' learning experience.
  • Develop the professional competences essential to work in leadership positions within the field.
  • Critically investigate aspects of own classroom practice in a supportive and developmental environment.

Graduates of the programme aim to apply for senior positions within TESOL – posts of responsibility such as Academic Directors, teacher trainers, materials designers, examiners, senior teachers, course designers and beyond. The international field of TESOL continues to expand and there are exciting opportunities for graduates in Ireland and beyond with advanced qualifications. Other graduates have gone on to complete PhDs in the field.

 

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LANG40590 The English Language for TESOL Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LANG40600 The English Teaching Context Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LANG40610 TESOL: Principles and Practices Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LANG40620 The TESOL Research Process Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LANG40630 SLA + TESOL pedagogy Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LANG40260 TESOL - Minor thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Option modules - pick one
 LANG40640 Teaching Practice, Observation & Feedback Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Option modules - pick one
 LING40440 Corpus Linguistics (MA) Spring  10

“Studying the MA TESOL at UCD was a very rewarding experience. From day one I felt supported by the faculty. They went above and beyond to provide detailed and supportive feedback and their dedication blew me away. What stood out most was how hands-on the programme was. Apart from theory, we also dove straight into real classroom scenarios. Above all, the programme gave me confidence, it helped me blossom into a more creative and reflective teacher.” Anastasiia Volodina, MA TESOL student 2023/24

Click here to watch former student Danni Feng's testimonial.

Click here to watch former student Gabi Widurek's testimonial.

 

MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) (Z155) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9515
nonEU    fee per year - € 21520

Grad Dip in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) (Z173) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 7170
nonEU    fee per year - € 15070

MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) (Z259) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5580
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. 

The UCD Language Centre offers a number of competitive Scholarships up to 50 % for students who will study on the MA full-time each year.

Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

  • Applicants must hold  an honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8)  or equivalent, having normally reached a 2H1 or better. Applications with a 2H2 average are considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Applicants should have a minimum of one years’ relevant teaching experience in Ireland or overseas (applicants with less/no experience should apply for our other MA TESOL stream Z378 instead)
  • Applicants, whose first language is not English, should have an overall band of 7.0 in IELTS (with no band less than 6.5).
  • Applicants who do not meet the language requirements for direct entry can apply for our Pre-Sessional EAP Programme at a 50% discount.
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No



  • This programme is suitable for teachers of English as a second, foreign or additional language who have a minimum of one year relevant teaching experience.  Applicants with less/no experience should apply for our other MA TESOL Pre-Service stream Z378 instead.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages):

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z155
MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Master of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z173
Grad Dip in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Graduate Diploma

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z259
MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Master of Arts

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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