University of Birmingham - College of Arts and Law
MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - Online
Online
MA
DURATION
30 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Sep 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Oct 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 1,304 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* per module- July |£1,360 per module - October
Key Summary
About: The University of Birmingham offers an online MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Study with multiple start dates, self-study online materials and a personal tutor. The Department of Linguistics and Communication has over 25 years delivering distance learning TESOL. You’ll study linguistic theory and teaching methods, blend theory and practice, and may attend summer schools in Birmingham and Japan.
Career Outcomes: This MA develops transferable skills: written and verbal communication, organization, time management and analysis. Graduates work in roles such as Language Tutor, Teacher Trainer, English Language Teacher, Project Manager, Senior Editor and Marketing professional.
Enhance your skills and advance your career as an English language teacher with this fully online course. You'll discover the latest linguistic theories and methods for teaching English to speakers of other languages.
With our MA TESOL (Online), you’ll have the freedom to study whenever and wherever it works best for you while benefitting from world-class instruction delivered by the same lecturers and faculty experts who teach on campus.
This online MA will enable you to advance your future without needing to leave your current teaching job. You'll access expert teaching from the well-established Department of Linguistics and Communication with over 25 years of experience delivering distance learning TESOL courses.
You can study at your own pace and in your own time on this flexible online course. You'll self-study using interactive course materials created by our experts in linguistics.
- Choose from multiple start dates throughout the year.
- Apply real-world insights to the classroom as you learn.
- Explore different approaches to teaching and learning English. You’ll study both theory and practice, which you can immediately apply to the classroom.
- We'll support you throughout the MA. You’ll have a personal tutor who will provide advice and answer questions along the way.
- You can meet fellow students and staff at our optional summer schools in Birmingham or Japan.
The University of Birmingham offers a range of programmes aimed at those wishing to begin or develop careers as teachers of English as a second language.
Our online TESOL course opens doors to a wide range of careers in English language teaching and education worldwide.
By studying an online postgraduate degree in the Department of Linguistics and Communication at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include strong written and verbal communication, organisation skills, time management and analysing information.
Our online Linguistics postgraduate students have gone on to work in careers such as 'Project Manager', 'Senior Editor' and 'English as a Second Language Instructor' in organisations such as Duolingo, Kaplan International Languages and Out of Nothing Pictures.
Career roles:
- Language Tutors
- Teacher Training
- Teaching English
- Project Management
- Journalism
- Marketing
- Senior Editors
This part-time online course runs over 2.5 years. There are several course start dates available – October, December, February, April or July.
You’ll take one module every four months from your start date. You’ll take your second module from months 5-9 and take your third module from months 9-12. You’ll take your fourth module from months 15-19. One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation at the start of your second year. You’ll take your fifth module from months 17-20. During your fifth module, you will be assigned a supervisor for your dissertation and carry out research for your chosen topic. You’ll take your sixth module from months 20-24. In the final six months, you’re assigned a dissertation supervisor, and you'll produce your dissertation.
You'll study online using our University's 'virtual learning environment' and access materials designed by academic staff in the Department.
- Virtual learning environment course materials: including aims and objectives, reading lists, summaries of readings, activities and commentaries, discussion and reflection tasks, and details of assignments.
- Resources are uploaded in advance so you can complete activities and take part in discussions whenever it suits you.
- The course handbook introducing you to the team, so you know who to contact if you have any questions or need guidance during the course.
- Consult academic staff in Birmingham via Zoom.
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run every four months of the course and the final six months are for researching and writing up your dissertation.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student, you can take advantage of our wide range of university-run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organisations.
- #2 We’re consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2026’ report)
- A world top 20 Linguistics department (QS World University Rankings 2026).
Join a global community and discover a course that matches your interests and aspirations with our huge range of postgraduate programmes in the College of Arts and Law.
Study options
We offer full-time or part-time study for many of our courses. We're proud to offer many courses by distance learning so you can access our exceptional teaching and resources from anywhere in the world.
Looking to study for a shorter period? Some of our courses offer PGCert and PGDip qualifications.
Innovative postgraduate degrees
Benefit from our interdisciplinary approach with opportunities to develop your skills. Whichever programme you pick, you’ll expand your knowledge and be ready for your next career step.
2nd in the UK: The University of Birmingham is consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2026, High Fliers report.
Ways you can enhance your career prospects include:
- Placement opportunities on the MA Film and Television: Research and Production
- Optional public history placement module on our MA History courses
- Practice-based dissertation options on MA International Law, Ethics and Politics
First-class facilities
Take your learning to the next level at Birmingham. Benefit from our incredible facilities available to College of Arts and Law students, including:
- The Film Editing Suite: Access content creation and podcasting studios, professional cameras, and filming equipment with beginner-friendly training by media technicians.
- The Barber Institute of Fine Arts: Our on-campus art gallery with paintings spanning seven centuries, from Botticelli to Monet and Van Gogh. The History of Art and Art History and Curating programmes are taught in the Barber for direct access to artwork. [The galleries of the Barber Institute are currently closed due to essential building works. Teaching will recommence in the galleries from autumn 2027.]
- Bramall Music Building and our Music Hub offering state-of-the-art performance, concert and rehearsal spaces.
- Shakespeare Institute: Our Shakespeare Studies students access a wealth of resources and a dedicated library at our Shakespeare Institute, based in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum including over 2,000 archaeological objects and an environmental archaeology collection.
Experts in distance learning
You don’t need to be in Birmingham to make the most of our outstanding teaching and research. Study from anywhere in the world through our range of distance learning options.
With over 25 years’ experience delivering distance learning courses, we’ll make sure you’re supported from day one.
You won’t be alone in your studies – on our taught programmes you’ll connect with your peers through our Virtual Learning Environment. If you choose a postgraduate research degree by distance learning, you’ll access remote research supervision meetings.
“I studied International Heritage Management as a distance learning student. My time at the University of Birmingham had a profound impact on my life, both personally and professionally. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional.” – Josh, MA International Heritage Management by Distance Learning alumnus and Senior Operations and Events Executive at Historic Royal Palaces.
Birmingham Law School
For almost a century Birmingham Law School has led the way in legal education and research. Today, we continue to provide our students with innovative, challenging, and research-driven education.
We are a truly global, civic and diverse community reflected through our staff and students who have important impacts around the world through research, teaching and enterprise.
The Shakespeare Institute
An internationally renowned research institution based in the heart of Shakespeare's beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon. Established in 1951 to push the boundaries of knowledge about Shakespeare studies and Renaissance drama. Study in Stratford-upon-Avon or online.