Mode of Study
Full-time by distance learning, Part-time by distance learningDuration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, 3 years part-timeStart date
September 2023, January 2024, September 2024, January 2025Overview
Language teaching is most effective when supported by strong leadership. If you're looking to become a manager of TESOL practitioners (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), or to be promoted into higher-level roles in TESOL leadership, this Master's in TESOL Leadership and Management is exactly the course you need.
You might be a language graduate, a current ELT, EFL or TESOL teacher, or already the manager or director of a language school. This course will give you the industry-specific business and management skills to become the most successful and confident TESOL leader you can be.
With access to the entire course online, you can study full-time over one year, or part-time over two or three years, enabling you to fit your studies around your work schedule and apply learning to your role in real time.
When you graduate, you'll have the entrepreneurial expertise to progress to management and leadership jobs in the sector, either in your own country or abroad, or the option to continue on to doctoral research in teaching, management and related fields.
Looking to develop your career as a TESOL practitioner instead?
You can study our MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL degree course or MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL (with Professional Experience) degree course.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Gain the entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to manage TESOL practitioners and lead TESOL organisations, such as language schools and higher education institutions
- Learn the latest developments in the TESOL field, including World Englishes, using technology for language learning, and the issue of 'translanguaging' – using different languages together
- Identify and evaluate challenges for teachers and managers, and explore strategies for the development of teachers that ensure the highest quality of TESOL teaching and learning
- Explore the relationship between theory and effective practice in language teaching
Benefits of distance learning
- Work from anywhere, at your own pace, in your own time – with interactive online learning materials hosted on our virtual learning environment, Moodle, and available 24/7 on any device – find out how distance learning works
- Access to over 600,000 ebooks, 55,000 online journals, digital newspapers and a postal loan service from our University Library – see all library support for distance learners
- Invitations to online forums where you can discuss your studies with other students and your lecturers
- Access to all student support services via email, phone, online chat or video call
What you'll study on this MA TESOL Leadership and Management degree course
Full-time
Core
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Plan, execute and submit a substantial dissertation according to the specification provided.
- Justify, deploy and critically evaluate advanced techniques of analysis within an ethical framework.
- Systematically understand and critically interpret complex issues from the literature and integrate ideas appropriately into the final report.
- Critically review and identify the potential for new hypotheses and/or ongoing study.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically analyse the role of the manager in TESOL contexts.
- Critically analyse the ways in which current theory relating to Leadership and Management can inform sustainable change management in TESOL organisations.
- Critically evaluate effective strategies for the management and professional development of teachers and staff in order to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in TESOL contexts including consideration of motivation, organisational behaviour and cross-cultural team building.
- Identify and evaluate key challenges for educators and practitioners in the management of TESOL organisations and suggest strategies and solutions.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Reflect on and critically examine the theory and practice of TESOL.
- Plan and evaluate a range of TESOL lessons, showing a critical awareness of contextual factors.
- Evaluate and critique approaches to curriculum, syllabus and assessment design and implementation, showing a critical understanding of such approaches.
- Design and plan the implementation of syllabuses, courses and assessment methodologies for their own and other contexts.
Optional
You can take 2 optional modules.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Select appropriate tools for the analysis of language patterns across the course of whole authentic texts and discourses.
- Justify, as relevant to the particular texts, the selection of tools.
- Critically analyse authentic texts for the language patterns which operate across the whole text.
- Critically evaluate how language patterns are related to the social activities of which they are a part.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and analyse the basic principles, practices and tools underpinning effective marketing.
- Review the importance of analytical frameworks in evaluating the business landscape and their importance in informing marketing strategies.
- Critically evaluate the marketing effectiveness of their own or exemplar organisation and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.
- Appraise and apply techniques of basic budgeting and standard setting based on fundamental principles.
- Evaluate the use of financial management processes within an education setting and the impact on stakeholders.
- Critically interpret a set of accounts of an educational establishment.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically discuss the challenges facing education in a development context at a national, sub-national, or supra-national level.
- Critically analyse the relationship between education systems and the social, political and economic contexts in which they operate.
- Identify and evaluate key challenges for educators and practitioners in developing country contexts and suggest strategies and solutions.
- Apply knowledge of education planning, project implementation, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making processes through a research-led report.
- Demonstrate the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research through the production of an annotated bibliography.
What you'll do
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse and assess human resource theory in educational settings.
- Discuss and critically reflect on different human resource management concepts.
- Examine and evaluate the human resource management of an education institution in relation to policy and practice.
- Demonstrate coaching techniques and critically consider the effectiveness of the strategies used.
- Critically reflect on their own human resource management behaviours.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Select and define a relevant area suitable for independent study.
- Critically analyse, discuss and evaluate in-depth a topic of particular interest and/or professional relevance.
- Critically analyse and evaluate primary and/or secondary data and/or practice to reach defined objectives.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and critically evaluate the principal theories of second and additional language acquisition and their relation to classroom practice.
- Evaluate and critically assess the importance of a range of factors which may influence second language acquisition.
- Make informed decisions based on current theories of language acquisition about language teaching methodologies and practice.
- Appraise and interpret different second language research methodologies.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop and apply practical skills in manipulating and creating language corpora.
- Investigate a linguistic, social, or similar research issue using an appropriate corpus (or corpora).
- Design and critically evaluate teaching and learning activities that make use of the technologies covered during the module.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Systematically outline the history and the geography of the relocation of English around the world.
- Critically discuss the notion of language contact with relation to inherent hybridity of the English language.
- Identify and analyse the key issues in and the development of the academic fields of World Englishes and English as a Lingua Franca.
- Compare and contrast significant linguistic features (at the level of phonology, lexis, grammar, discourse) of the main varieties of English.
- Evaluate the political and ideological implications of the relocation of English and the various roles it plays in different settings around the world.
- Reflect critically on the pedagogical implications of the plurality of rules and roles of English with particular reference to a part of the world they are familiar with.
Part-time (2 years)
Core
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically analyse the role of the manager in TESOL contexts.
- Critically analyse the ways in which current theory relating to Leadership and Management can inform sustainable change management in TESOL organisations.
- Critically evaluate effective strategies for the management and professional development of teachers and staff in order to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in TESOL contexts including consideration of motivation, organisational behaviour and cross-cultural team building.
- Identify and evaluate key challenges for educators and practitioners in the management of TESOL organisations and suggest strategies and solutions.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Select and define a relevant area suitable for independent study.
- Critically analyse, discuss and evaluate in-depth a topic of particular interest and/or professional relevance.
- Critically analyse and evaluate primary and/or secondary data and/or practice to reach defined objectives.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Reflect on and critically examine the theory and practice of TESOL.
- Plan and evaluate a range of TESOL lessons, showing a critical awareness of contextual factors.
- Evaluate and critique approaches to curriculum, syllabus and assessment design and implementation, showing a critical understanding of such approaches.
- Design and plan the implementation of syllabuses, courses and assessment methodologies for their own and other contexts.
Core
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Plan, execute and submit a substantial dissertation according to the specification provided.
- Justify, deploy and critically evaluate advanced techniques of analysis within an ethical framework.
- Systematically understand and critically interpret complex issues from the literature and integrate ideas appropriately into the final report.
- Critically review and identify the potential for new hypotheses and/or ongoing study.
Optional modules
You can take 2 optional modules.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Select appropriate tools for the analysis of language patterns across the course of whole authentic texts and discourses.
- Justify, as relevant to the particular texts, the selection of tools.
- Critically analyse authentic texts for the language patterns which operate across the whole text.
- Critically evaluate how language patterns are related to the social activities of which they are a part.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and analyse the basic principles, practices and tools underpinning effective marketing.
- Review the importance of analytical frameworks in evaluating the business landscape and their importance in informing marketing strategies.
- Critically evaluate the marketing effectiveness of their own or exemplar organisation and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.
- Appraise and apply techniques of basic budgeting and standard setting based on fundamental principles.
- Evaluate the use of financial management processes within an education setting and the impact on stakeholders.
- Critically interpret a set of accounts of an educational establishment.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically discuss the challenges facing education in a development context at a national, sub-national, or supra-national level.
- Critically analyse the relationship between education systems and the social, political and economic contexts in which they operate.
- Identify and evaluate key challenges for educators and practitioners in developing country contexts and suggest strategies and solutions.
- Apply knowledge of education planning, project implementation, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making processes through a research-led report.
- Demonstrate the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research through the production of an annotated bibliography.
What you'll do
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse and assess human resource theory in educational settings.
- Discuss and critically reflect on different human resource management concepts.
- Examine and evaluate the human resource management of an education institution in relation to policy and practice.
- Demonstrate coaching techniques and critically consider the effectiveness of the strategies used.
- Critically reflect on their own human resource management behaviours.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and critically evaluate the principal theories of second and additional language acquisition and their relation to classroom practice.
- Evaluate and critically assess the importance of a range of factors which may influence second language acquisition.
- Make informed decisions based on current theories of language acquisition about language teaching methodologies and practice.
- Appraise and interpret different second language research methodologies.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop and apply practical skills in manipulating and creating language corpora.
- Investigate a linguistic, social, or similar research issue using an appropriate corpus (or corpora).
- Design and critically evaluate teaching and learning activities that make use of the technologies covered during the module.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Systematically outline the history and the geography of the relocation of English around the world.
- Critically discuss the notion of language contact with relation to inherent hybridity of the English language.
- Identify and analyse the key issues in and the development of the academic fields of World Englishes and English as a Lingua Franca.
- Compare and contrast significant linguistic features (at the level of phonology, lexis, grammar, discourse) of the main varieties of English.
- Evaluate the political and ideological implications of the relocation of English and the various roles it plays in different settings around the world.
- Reflect critically on the pedagogical implications of the plurality of rules and roles of English with particular reference to a part of the world they are familiar with.
Part-time (3 years)
Core
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically analyse the role of the manager in TESOL contexts.
- Critically analyse the ways in which current theory relating to Leadership and Management can inform sustainable change management in TESOL organisations.
- Critically evaluate effective strategies for the management and professional development of teachers and staff in order to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in TESOL contexts including consideration of motivation, organisational behaviour and cross-cultural team building.
- Identify and evaluate key challenges for educators and practitioners in the management of TESOL organisations and suggest strategies and solutions.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Reflect on and critically examine the theory and practice of TESOL.
- Plan and evaluate a range of TESOL lessons, showing a critical awareness of contextual factors.
- Evaluate and critique approaches to curriculum, syllabus and assessment design and implementation, showing a critical understanding of such approaches.
- Design and plan the implementation of syllabuses, courses and assessment methodologies for their own and other contexts.
Optional
You can take 2 optional modules.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Select appropriate tools for the analysis of language patterns across the course of whole authentic texts and discourses.
- Justify, as relevant to the particular texts, the selection of tools.
- Critically analyse authentic texts for the language patterns which operate across the whole text.
- Critically evaluate how language patterns are related to the social activities of which they are a part.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and analyse the basic principles, practices and tools underpinning effective marketing.
- Review the importance of analytical frameworks in evaluating the business landscape and their importance in informing marketing strategies.
- Critically evaluate the marketing effectiveness of their own or exemplar organisation and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.
- Appraise and apply techniques of basic budgeting and standard setting based on fundamental principles.
- Evaluate the use of financial management processes within an education setting and the impact on stakeholders.
- Critically interpret a set of accounts of an educational establishment.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically discuss the challenges facing education in a development context at a national, sub-national, or supra-national level.
- Critically analyse the relationship between education systems and the social, political and economic contexts in which they operate.
- Identify and evaluate key challenges for educators and practitioners in developing country contexts and suggest strategies and solutions.
- Apply knowledge of education planning, project implementation, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making processes through a research-led report.
- Demonstrate the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research through the production of an annotated bibliography.
What you'll do
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse and assess human resource theory in educational settings.
- Discuss and critically reflect on different human resource management concepts.
- Examine and evaluate the human resource management of an education institution in relation to policy and practice.
- Demonstrate coaching techniques and critically consider the effectiveness of the strategies used.
- Critically reflect on their own human resource management behaviours.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Select and define a relevant area suitable for independent study.
- Critically analyse, discuss and evaluate in-depth a topic of particular interest and/or professional relevance.
- Critically analyse and evaluate primary and/or secondary data and/or practice to reach defined objectives.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and critically evaluate the principal theories of second and additional language acquisition and their relation to classroom practice.
- Evaluate and critically assess the importance of a range of factors which may influence second language acquisition.
- Make informed decisions based on current theories of language acquisition about language teaching methodologies and practice.
- Appraise and interpret different second language research methodologies.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop and apply practical skills in manipulating and creating language corpora.
- Investigate a linguistic, social, or similar research issue using an appropriate corpus (or corpora).
- Design and critically evaluate teaching and learning activities that make use of the technologies covered during the module.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Systematically outline the history and the geography of the relocation of English around the world.
- Critically discuss the notion of language contact with relation to inherent hybridity of the English language.
- Identify and analyse the key issues in and the development of the academic fields of World Englishes and English as a Lingua Franca.
- Compare and contrast significant linguistic features (at the level of phonology, lexis, grammar, discourse) of the main varieties of English.
- Evaluate the political and ideological implications of the relocation of English and the various roles it plays in different settings around the world.
- Reflect critically on the pedagogical implications of the plurality of rules and roles of English with particular reference to a part of the world they are familiar with.
Core
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Plan, execute and submit a substantial dissertation according to the specification provided.
- Justify, deploy and critically evaluate advanced techniques of analysis within an ethical framework.
- Systematically understand and critically interpret complex issues from the literature and integrate ideas appropriately into the final report.
- Critically review and identify the potential for new hypotheses and/or ongoing study.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
The course contents reflected the areas where I needed to improve my skills as a manager in the TEFL industry, with the possibility to personalise with different options. The asynchronous distance learning course allowed me to fit my study around work and other commitments. The course was challenging but rewarding intellectually and personally, and led to me getting a promotion.
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
This Master's degree in TESOL Leadership and Management will develop your ability to lead and inspire teachers and practitioners in the industry and run successful TESOL organisations, such as language schools.
When you graduate, you'll be qualified to work in TESOL management and leadership positions in both the private or public sectors. You'll be ready to seek promotion to higher-level leadership roles in your current career as a TESOL practitioner or manager, to go on to study for a PhD, or to set up and lead your own business in the field.
Graduates of this course have gone onto areas such as:
- Language school management
- Higher education institutions management
- Teacher education
- External assessment
- PhD research
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and from our Careers and Employability Centre, which you can access for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year (full-time study)
- 2 or 3 years (part-time study)
You can expect:
- Optional live online seminars for each module you study, held at times when as many students as possible can attend. These will also be recorded for later viewing. All core material is available online at all times so you can create your own study schedule around work or other commitments.
- 18–20 hours of independent study each week if you study full-time, or 10–12 hours each week if you study part-time.
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree.
Teaching on this course includes:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- student presentations
This Master's in TESOL Leadership and Management is delivered by supported distance learning. You will receive high-quality course materials via Moodle, our online learning environment.
You'll get to chat with fellow students, discuss and present your work and keep in touch with tutors. You'll get plenty of support throughout your studies, including help on writing and structuring essays, and how to undertake research.
You'll need access to a computer and a web connection. You may be able to access some of the resources through a tablet or smartphone, with limited functionality. You don't need to be especially computer literate, although typing skills are useful.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- essays
- presentations
- reflections
- literature review assignment
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. This includes group discussions, peer review activities, and virtual seminars.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- Academic writing
- Note taking
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Presentation skills
- Referencing
- Working in groups
- Revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2023/January 2024 start)
- Full time: £8,500
- Part time (2 year): £4,250 per year
- Part time (3 year): £2,830 per year
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time: £8,500
- Part time (2 year): £4,250 per year
- Part time (3 year): £2,830 per year
- Full time: £8,500
- Part time (2 year): £4,250 per year
- Part time (3 year): £2,830 per year
Tuition fees (September 2024/January 2025 start)
- Full time: £10,400
- Part time (2 year): £5,200 per year
- Part time (3 year): £3,470 per year
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time: £10,400
- Part time (2 year): £5,200 per year
- Part time (3 year): £3,470 per year
- Full time: £10,400
- Part time (2 year): £5,200 per year
- Part time (3 year): £3,470 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Discover how you can fund your Master's study at Portsmouth – including loans, scholarships and bursaries – and read our guidance on topics like how to budget, and how to get support if you're disabled or have dependents.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which relate to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
September 2023 / January 2024 start
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, plus initial teacher training and a minimum of three months full-time, relevant, teaching experience.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- Initial teacher training and a minimum of three month's full-time, relevant teaching experience.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
September 2024 / January 2025 start
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, plus initial teacher training and a minimum of three months full-time, relevant, teaching experience.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- Initial teacher training and a minimum of three month's full-time, relevant teaching experience.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Standard applications
Start this course in September 2023
Distance learning
Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year
Apply now (Part-time) – 2 years
Apply now (Part-time) – 3 years
Start this course in January 2024
Distance learning
To apply for this course in January 2024, please contact us.
Standard applications
Start this course in September 2024
Distance learning
Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year
Apply now (Part-time) – 2 years
Apply now (Part-time) – 3 years
Start this course in January 2025
Distance learning
To apply for this course in January 2025, please contact us.
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2022, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.