Admission Criteria

The minimum general requirement for admission to the post-graduate degree programme is a Bachelor Degree from a recognised university.

More specifically, the following entry requirements apply for the MA in TESOL programme:

Academic Requirements

• All applicants for entrance in the MA TESOL programme offered by the Department should have at least a lower second class (2:2) Bachelor degree in English Language/ English Linguistics and/or English Literature from a recognised university.
• Teaching experience is not essential but preferred. Tutoring experience is helpful.
• Applicants with a lower grade or whose degree is on a related discipline will be considered on their own merits.

Other Requirements

• Two academic reference letters.
• Personal Statement: A letter highlighting the applicant’s individual competencies and strengths and providing his/her reflections regarding the expectations and value of the programme as well as to his/her personal advancement and career development.

English Language Requirements

If the applicant’s first degree was not taught in English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency at C1 or C2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). More specifically, the following examination results will be accepted:

• IELTS (British Council International English Language Testing System): overall score of 7.0 or above, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking).
• TOEFL iBT: overall score of 94 or above, with minimum scores of 22 in Writing, 21 in Listening, 22 in Reading and 23 in Speaking.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or C2 Proficiency (CPE): overall score of 176 or above, with 176 in Writing and no sub-section below 169; OR Grade C if taken before January 2015.
• Cambridge Michigan ECPE Proficiency: Pass.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): overall score of 59 or above, with a minimum Writing score of 59 and no other sub-section below 51.
• IGCSE English as a First Language: Grade C or above.

Other internationally recognised English language qualifications at an equivalent level may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

English Language Test Validity

Some English language test results are valid for only two years. The applicant’s English language test report must therefore be valid on the start date of the programme.

Course assessment usually comprises of a comprehensive final exam and continuous assessment. Continuous assessment can include amongst others, weekly interactive activities, projects, positive online forum participation etc.

Letter grades are calculated based on the weight of the final exam and the continuous assessment and the actual numerical marks obtained in these two assessment components. Based on the course grades the student’s semester grade point average (GPA) and cumulative point average (CPA) are calculated.

The student must complete 90 ECTS and all programme requirements.

A minimum cumulative grade point average (CPA) of 2.0 is required. Thus, although a ‘D-‘ is a PASS grade, in order to achieve a CPA of 2.0 an average grade of ‘C’ is required.

Upon successful completion of this program, the students should be able to:

1. Critically analyse relevant professional issues affecting current educational practices in the area of English language learning and teaching;
2. Reflect on and evaluate the quality of language teaching and learning;
3. Locate and critically assess the relevance and value of recent research in the area of English language learning and teaching;
4. Design, evaluate, develop and implement lessons and materials in English language teaching;
5. Design and evaluate course curricula in relation to English language teaching and learning;
6. Design, develop and implement research in their chosen area of specialization;
7. Fully and confidently defend their ideas on language teaching and learning both orally and in writing;
8. Synthesise, at a high level, data and ideas from secondary sources for seminar presentations and assignments;
9. Critically assess and reflect upon one’s own practice and development as an English language teacher.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3