Online Masters in TESOL - Masters in Education
20 months
Distance Learning
Tuition: USD 20,800
Paid Monthly: USD 745
Intake: Nov 2026
Deadline: 30 Sept 2026
Course overview
The Online Masters in TESOL – Teaching English as a Second Language – is a specialisation pathway of the Online Master of Education Degree from the University of Dundee.
The Online Masters TESOL course is designed as a Certificate for Teaching English as a second language, providing the tools, skills and knowledge to teach those who do not speak English. As a Masters in Education qualification, it has the added benefit of covering topics and subjects relevant to the broader educational field, which enhances self-learning, teaching skills and assists in progressing a teaching career into educational leadership roles.
Enhance your professional understanding of the English language within a global context, particularly on how language theory, language practice and language research are interlinked. On this Masters in TESOL course learn innovative micro-teaching methodologies, observational practice and lesson planning to be able to teach English as a second language with skill and confidence.
The Dundee TESOL degree is recognised as a professional learning course for aspiring educators by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). It is also recognised by the International Baccalaureate (IB) as meeting the professional requirements of the:
- IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research
- IB Certificate in Leadership Practice
- IB Advanced Certificate in Leadership Research
At the end of the Masters in Education students apply the research skills and abilities into a TESOL focused challenge for the dissertation. Examining and exploring these TESOL educational issues in this Online Masters in TESOL – Masters in Education Specialisation will foster new ways of critical analysis and critical thinking, essential for every teacher or educator.
Online Masters in TESOL PG Cert & PG Diploma entry & exit routes
This Online Masters in TESOL – Masters in Education Specialisation provides flexible entry and exit routes at a TESOL PG Cert, TESOL PG Diploma and at the Masters Level.
This three year course can be studies at an accelerated route, completing it in just 20 months. This TESOL degree is taught via the University of Dundee’s virtual learning environment, combined with additional academic support at optional MEd teaching workshops held in the UAE.
The other Online Masters in Education specialisations;
Online Masters in TESOL - Masters in Education
Online Masters in TESOL - Masters in Education
Accreditation
The Online Masters in TESOL course is accredited by GTCS – General Teaching Council for Scotland as a professional learning course. The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS is an independent regulator for teachers in Scotland that sets and promotes a higher standard of teaching for educators.
The Dundee Masters in Education also meets the requirements to attain Advanced IB certifications from the International Baccalaureate, a global leader in developing exemplary international education programmes. International Baccalaureate curriculum are designed to empower school students to take ownership and develop future-ready skills that make a difference.
Teaching & Assessment
The Online Masters in TESOL course is delivered entirely online, with virtual learning events for students that need additional academic support. These events are hosted by the University of Dundee faculty and learning is supported by;
- Peer learning through online discussion forums or at the optional workshops
- Personal, Individual supervision
- Private study sessions
- Access to online materials via the University of Dundee UK Online Learning Environment
The University of Dundee emphasises the creation of strong learning community for each cohort. This is an important element in continued learning and support required for all students undertaking the Masters in TESOL course.
Coursework is 100% assessment based with no exams, often consisting of essays, oral or written presentations.
Benefits
The learning approaches in this Masters in TESOL have been designed to meet the needs of teachers and educators in full time employment, ensuring a high deal of flexibility in when and where to study the learning materials.
Study with teachers and educators who are specialising and working in the same TESOL pathway, learning tips, approaches and methods from a diverse slew of international perspectives and teaching practices in differing countries.
Career path
A significant number of students studying the Masters in TESOL course are currently employed full-time as a Teacher and use the course to further career prospects globally or within their educational institute.
As the unofficial business language, the demand to learn English has been steadily increasing worldwide, consequently increasing the demand for trained professionals to be able to teach the English language. An Online Masters in TESOL – Masters in Education Specialisation will set apart individuals who currently teach English, but do not have the academic depth in this field.
Academic Progression
- Doctorate of Education
Eligibility - Entry Requirements
The Online Masters in TESOL course can be undertaken as a path progression through a PG Cert in TESOL, a PG Dip in TESOL, to the full Masters in Education degree, with entry and exit points at each level.
Recognition for prior learning (RPL) is available but must match existing TESOL course modules with equivalent content. Please contact a Stafford Higher Education Consultant about RPL.
Both workplace-based and non-workplace-based routes are available for the Masters in TESOL course, so candidate do not have to be currently working in an educational setting to apply for this teaching course.
Workplace based Masters in TESOL course route:
- Teachers and Educators currently employed in an educational setting, who wish to enhance their career progression prospects and improve on their professional learning.
- Must have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline.
- If the undergraduate degree was taught in a language other than English, an IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) in English will be required.
Non-Workplace based Masters in TESOL course route:
- Teachers and Educators with previous work experience in an educational setting (not necessarily currently employed in one)
- Must be a graduate in any discipline
- If the degree was not taught in English, an IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) will be requested to meet the English Language Requirement
Core module
The process of reflection and reflective practice is crucial for any successful educator. This includes the ability to critically analyse your actions and the
personal and professional ethos of being an educator. This will help you change the way you think and act, develop and improve your practice, and benefit
yourself, your colleagues, and most importantly the learners you support. The module also prepares you for Masters-level study by introducing aspects of
academic study such as searching and selecting reliable and valid sources, and academic writing including referencing.
This module will begin by considering what it means to be a professional educator and apply this to your own professional setting to help you develop your career. This includes considering formal standards for educators in different settings from around the world. You will learn about the principles and theory of reflective practice applying this to your own development. The module allows you to explore new theories and research, building on your prior knowledge and experience. The final stages of the module include action planning for the future and preparation for the final assessment where you will consider your own previous, current, and future professional development.
This module draws on a wide range of theory and research and introduces key skills and knowledge, preparing you for the rest of your Masters study.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- understand key professional issues that impact or have impacted upon your professional life.
- understand organising and managing the learning environment considering recent educational developments and research.
- ability to review and engage critically with reading and research.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- evaluate approaches to professional development and practice.
- critically review professional experience and using this review as the basis for planning and setting targets for future professional development
- critically discuss the nature of their own and others’ professionalism
- articulate your own professional philosophy of educational practice
How you will be taught
The module is delivered online over 17 weeks. The learning and teaching will consist of the following:
- online seminars
- formative feedback opportunities
- individual tutorial opportunities
- discussion boards
- asynchronous module materials to work through at your own pace.
- pastoral support throughout your studies
Self-driven study time will include:
- reading and completing associated tasks
- engaging with a wide range of online materials to support self-study.
- writing and working towards your final assessment
- peer-to-peer learning opportunities, so students can learn from each other.
This module has a 4000-word final assignment
You will develop and build on your research skills and to develop an understanding of educational research. You will also learn how to conduct ethical
research.
The skills that you develop will inform how you come to understand your own contexts.
You will learn about a wide range of educational research practices. You will also critique previous and proposed research.
This will be informed by the importance of ethical approaches to all aspects of research.
You will develop your research skills by learning about the fundamentals of research philosophy.
You will be introduced to the relationship between topics such as:
- research questions.
- methodology
- methods of gathering data
There will be opportunities to explore issues relating to the power of the researcher. You will also look at the role that relationships play in all research contexts.
You will choose a topic of personal and professional interest. Using this as a basis, you will develop how to critically review published research and policy in that area.
You will read the works of others and critique the works. This will allow you to explore your approaches to designing a research project and to design your own research inquiry.
This knowledge and understanding will then be applied to your own research design ideas.
This module leads to the Dissertation module. This is where you will carry out your proposed research.
What you will learn
In this module, key aims are to develop:
- critical understanding of research foundations (ontology and epistemology)
- critical approaches to research design that are relevant to professional enquiry.
- the knowledge and skills required to conduct critical analysis.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- apply knowledge and understanding to a subject-specific, proposed research dissertation or professional project.
How you will be taught
The module is delivered online over 17 weeks. The learning and teaching will consist of the following:
- online lectures
- individual tutorial opportunities
- discussion boards
- asynchronous module materials to work through at your own pace.
Independent study time will include:
- reading and completing associated tasks
- engaging with a wide range of online materials to support self-study.
- writing and working towards your final assessment
- peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
This module has a 4000-word final assignment
This module is the culmination of your learning during your master’s programme and is your opportunity to explore an area of interest in depth. This exploration may include primary data collection and analysis, secondary data analysis, a literature review, or a theoretical investigation.
Building on the knowledge and skills acquired in the taught masters modules, this independent piece of research will promote a deep and critical understanding of your selected area, and enhance your professional knowledge and practice. The dissertation module involves in-depth consideration of a problem or question of your choosing. It is the largest (and final) piece of written work produced during your masters degree. The overall aim of the module is to demonstrate your mastery of the subject matter through planning, implementing, and reporting a substantial piece of research.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- deepen your understanding through critically analysing theories, principles, concepts, and current issues relevant to your discipline and subject area.
- apply research techniques of inquiry and critically evaluate your findings to make connections between theory and practice.
- develop your communication skills by following a standard structure and providing an extensive and detailed account of your study.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- contribute to a professional debate and make recommendations for future practice and research
How you will be taught
The module is delivered online over 46 weeks part-time. The learning and teaching will consist of:
- independent reading and the completion of associated research tasks
- one-to-one supervisor support
- live online sessions and opportunities for module-related questions
- opportunities for formative assessment.
You will be assigned a supervisor for the duration of your Dissertation.
- • 11,000-word report (100%)
For a 60-credit module there will be a minimum of 30-35 hours study time per week. The expected independent study time is 600 hours.
Contemporary educators work in a rapidly changing world where local and global issues converge and require our creative adaptation. As our world
changes, so might our concept of the purpose of education and what this suggests for education practice and policy. It is vital that we can undertake
informed considerations of relevant issues and respond to challenges asconfident, creative agents of positive transformation, to best support learning.
This module will encourage you to adopt a critical perspective on innovation, consistent with your role as a reflective professional. It enables you to evaluate an educational innovation and to apply your learning within your future professional context.
What you will learn
In this module you will:
- learn how to adopt a critical perspective on innovation, consistent with your role as reflective professional.
- review the impact and outcomes of an investigation into an example of educational innovation.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- understand current research, key concepts, and policies relating to innovation within education.
- relate educational innovation on a local or global level.
- evaluate practice and reflect critically on it.
- develop and use strategies and resources acquired from your study and experiences of educational innovation and apply this to own future professional and personal development
How you will be taught
The module is delivered online over 17 weeks. The learning and teaching will consist of the following:
- Online activities
- Webinars (collaborative sessions with activities and group discussion)
- Online Q&A sessions (to support assessments)
- asynchronous module materials to work through at your own pace.
- pastoral support throughout your studies
Self-driven study time will include:
- reading and completing associated tasks
- engaging with a wide range of online materials to support self-study.
- writing and working towards your final assessment peer-to-peer learning opportunities, so students can learn from each other.
This module has a 4000-word final assignment OR a 30-minute presentation
Across the globe, we continue to face many challenges. Driving these are things like climate change, technological advances, and economic uncertainties. These are often driven by shifting socio-political landscapes.
As a result, we need leaders. Leaders who can exhibit the necessary skills and understanding to address these situations.
Leadership is about working well with and through others. This skill is often seen on occasions such as:
- when leading through responsibility
- influencing other
- being at the forefront of a pressing matter
You will look at the topic of leadership through an interdisciplinary approach. This will encourage you to consider leadership as a concept. You will see that this goes beyond formal titles and power.
You will consider leadership for everyone. Regardless of status or standing. A key theme that you will encounter with this module is self-reflection. You will look at self-reflection within the framework of leadership and organisational development.
This is to enable you to focus on the ‘self’ as both a leader and a learner.
Your attention will be on context and relationships in driving change. You will consider your own context and professional values alongside ethical and
equitable leadership.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- develop a critical understanding of the principles and concepts of leadership. These will be relevant to leading change.
- learn how to critically analyse leadership theories, principles, and concepts.
- connect your own skills and practices with different theoretical concepts.
- learn how to communicate extensive, detailed, and critical knowledge and understanding of leadership. This will be in a relevant context to your
role.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- critically examine different strategic approaches to responding to complex problems
- understand the importance of relationships, networks, and collaboration.
You will also understand situations through differing perspectives. This will allow you to deal with problems or potential change.
- integrate and synthesise insights, ideas and perspectives in the critical interpretation of findings.
- develop innovative responses to current issues. You will also understand what effective leadership means when leading such a response within your context.
- draw conclusions in an informed and critical manner from your own research and/or that of others
How you will be taught
The module is divided into 12 units and is delivered online over 17 weeks. The learning and teaching will consist of the following:
- live online sessions to include content-based discussions and opportunity for module-related academic questions.
- discussion boards
- asynchronous module materials to work through at your own pace.
Self-driven study time will include:
- reading and completing associated tasks
- engaging with a wide range of online materials to support self-study.
- writing and working towards your final assessment
- peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
This module has a 4000-word final assignment
Contemporary educators work in a rapidly changing world where local and global issues converge and require our inclusive adaptation. As our world
changes, so might our concept of the purpose of International Education and what this suggests for education practice and policy.
International education refers to a global approach to learning, where students gain knowledge about different countries and cultures. It emphasizes cross cultural understanding, often through exchange programs, international curricula, and multilingualism, preparing individuals for an interconnected world and fostering global citizenship and cultural awareness.
You will learn to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of current research, key concepts and policies relating to international education. You will have the ability to ensure that activities relating to international education are informed by evidence, including an ability to relate their professional project on a local or global level. You will be able to develop and use strategies and resources acquired from your studies and experiences of international education and apply this to your own future professional and personal development. This will deepen learning and impact further progress, creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive climate for learning, motivating learners, and promoting critical thinking,
discussion, and debate.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- explore policies and issues in International Education in relation to Language, Culture, and Citizenship
- develop your critical perspective.
- review the potential impact and outcomes of a professional project that is related to International Education
- develop and awareness of the value of International Education
- learn how to use International Education standards and goals.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- demonstrate your knowledge of current research, key concepts, and policies relating to international education.
- ensure that activities relating to International Education are informed by evidence.
- relate your professional projects on a local or global level.
- evaluate practice and reflect critically on it.
- develop and use strategies and resources acquired and apply this to your professional and personal development
How you will be taught
The module is delivered online over 17 weeks. The learning and teaching will consist of the following:
- online lectures
- seminars
- Q&A sessions
- formative feedback opportunities
- individual tutorial opportunities
- discussion boards
- pastoral support
- self-study
o reading and completing associated tasks
o asynchronous module materials
o writing and working towards your final assessment
o peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
This module has a 4000-word final assignment
This module aims to provide you with a deeper understanding of wellbeing. By exploring wider societal issues, we can consider implications of a socially just environment on children and young people’s wellbeing by examining theories of wellbeing, social justice, and care.
We will explore the affect societal factors (both positive and negative) can have on the wellbeing of children and young people. This module is also an opportunity to critically reflect on educational policies and evaluate how they might influence teachers and young people.
By critically reflecting on your own practice, you will design an intervention to enhance young people wellbeing. By engaging with theory and academic research, you will be able to explore the benefits as well as challenges of such approaches. This approach will allow you to develop a critical knowledge of the subject area for practice.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- explore the positive and negative effects of societal factors on the wellbeing of children and young people.
- critically reflect on educational policies and evaluate how they might
- influence teachers and young people.
- design an intervention to enhance the wellbeing of young people through critical reflection of your own practice.
- explore the benefits and challenges of interventional approaches through theory and academic research.
- justify and critically review current policies, legislation and research in the area of wellbeing, as part of a curriculum or alternative education setting
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- demonstrate critical knowledge of the subject area for practice.
- understand and have the skills to plan, implement and evaluate a small piece of action research that will aim to contribute positively to the development of wellbeing in children and young people in your professional practice.
- apply a person-centred approach in the universal or targeted support of learner wellbeing.
How you will be taught
The module is delivered online over 17 weeks. The learning and teaching will consist of the following:
- online seminars
- formative feedback opportunities
- individual tutorial opportunities
- discussion boards
- asynchronous module materials to work through at your own pace.
- pastoral support throughout your studies
Self-driven study time will include:
- reading and completing associated tasks
- engaging with a wide range of online materials to support self-study.
- writing and working towards your final assessment
- peer-to-peer learning opportunities, so students can learn from each other.
This module has a 4000-word final assignment
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global non-profit educational foundation with more than 5,700 schools in 159 countries.
The primary mission of the International Baccalaureate is to develop and offer challenging educational programs for students globally.
With a strong focus on international awareness and inquiry-based learning, IB takes an inclusive and child-centred approach to education.
You will develop your understanding of the International Baccalaureate (IB) ethos. Key themes of this are:
- the conceptions of the self as a professional
- the role of reflective practice
- central beliefs around the purposes of education
You will be able to establish your professional leadership philosophy. You will develop a reflective practice and develop as a pedagogical leader.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- explore the IB ethos and look at the leadership required to put it in place.
- audit your capacities against the professional standards required in the IB.
- form an action plan to support your own development needs.
- critically analyse your action plan based on a range of appropriate literature, policy, and research
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- have a deeper understanding of your own leadership abilities.
- form action plans to support your own development needs.
- show your knowledge and understanding of leadership in the IB
How you will be taught
The module is delivered online over 17 weeks. The learning and teaching will consist of the following:
- online seminars
- Q&A sessions
- formative feedback opportunities
- individual tutorial opportunities
- discussion boards
- pastoral support
- self-study
o reading and completing associated tasks
o asynchronous module materials
o writing and working towards your final assessment
o peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
This module has a 4000-word final assignment
You will learn about the current debate around the English language. You will develop an awareness of the key language components and skills of English. These include reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
You will learn about pedagogical strategies. You will also develop competence to plan and deliver lessons around English language skills.
This will allow you an opportunity to critically reflect on your practice. It will also help you develop employable skills to teach English.
As you are introduced to the English language and the pedagogy to teach the language, we also recognise and try to develop your awareness of the fact that language learning/teaching goals are unique.
Different people have different priorities across societies. These priorities are individual, local, as well as global.
We encourage you to take these factors into consideration. That way you are not just replicating and reproducing pedagogical models. You will instead contextualise them in your own TESOL contexts.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- learn how to teach language skills in an integrated manner.
- have opportunities to apply this learning to practice by engaging with peers and developing lesson plans.
- be given an opportunity to do a micro-teaching that will enhance your confidence to teach English in a TESOL context.
- focus on the questions of agency in the pedagogical context.
- reflect on how you can make a difference in your own teaching context.
This will be to empower your students and help them achieve their learning goals and enhance their life chances.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- understand the English language structures and meanings.
- understand the teaching and learning strategies in TESOL.
- link awareness of language patterns to the practical design of learning in TESOL.
- engage in critical reflection and discussion about TESOL strategies and classroom practice.
- synthesise learning from the module and to apply it to TESOL practice
How you will be taught
The module is divided into 12 units and is delivered online over 17 weeks. The learning and teaching will consist of the following:
- live online sessions to include content-based discussions and opportunity for module-related academic questions.
- discussion boards
- asynchronous module materials to work through at your own pace.
Self-driven study time will include:
- reading and completing associated tasks
- engaging with a wide range of online materials to support self-study.
- writing and working towards your final assessment
- peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
This module has a 4000-word final assignment
You will develop your understanding of how theories inform approaches and methods in TESOL.
You will also investigate critical perspectives of TESOL and how the field has progressed over the years. You will discover how by pushing for an inclusive and transformative agenda makes up the methodology behind TESOL.
Throughout the module, you will be able to put your learning into context with your teaching and social contexts.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- learn about major theories and styles of teaching English as a second language.
- reflect on how each style is made up of a particular set of assumptions and/or theoretical insights. You will also learn how this relationship between theory and teaching style is reflected in TESOL pedagogical design.
- be encouraged to engage with the critique of each style and to take alternative perspectives into account.
- develop your sense of agency. You will also learn how exercising agency is critical in relation to innovating TESOL methodology and encouraging
transformative practices. - be provided with contexts and challenges as well as examples of how teachers exercise agency in TESOL contexts.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- scrutinise, analyse and challenge their own and others’ theories and concepts of TESOL.
- engage in critical reflection and discussion about TESOL theories and methodologies.
- synthesise learning from the module and to apply it to TESOL practice.
- understand language learning theories.
- understand the theories, methodologies and key concepts relating to TESOL.
How you will be taught
The module is divided into 12 units and is delivered online over 17 weeks. The learning and teaching will consist of the following:
- live online sessions to include content-based discussions and opportunity for module-related academic questions.
- discussion boards
- asynchronous module materials to work through at your own pace.
Self-driven study time will include:
- reading and completing associated tasks
- engaging with a wide range of online materials to support self-study.
- writing and working towards your final assessment
- peer-to-peer learning opportunities, so you can learn from your fellow students.
This module has a 4000-word final assignment
Course fee
This is to inform you that we will be offering an early bird discount of AED 1,800 (approx. USD 500) to the first 10 Dundee students who complete their payment.
Please note the following details:
- The offer will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Payment must be received no later than 30th March 2026.
- The discount will be applied to the first installment payment.
- This offer is not applicable to students based in Africa.
Global:
- Course Fee: USD 30,720
- Stafford Grant: USD 9,420
- Early Bird Discount: USD 500
- Net Course Fee: USD 20,800
- Monthly Fee**: USD 745
Africa:
- Course Fee: USD 30,720
- Stafford Grant: USD 17,920
- Net Course Fee: USD 12,800
- Monthly Fee**: USD 391
+VAT if applicable
**Monthly instalments calculated based on the Course fee minus the Stafford Grant
Fees are determined by where applicants are currently working and residing
Academics
Refaat Kazoun
Philippe Riewer
Ajith Kumar
What our students say
Asha Thomas
University of Dundee
Master of Education
Thank you, Stafford Global, for your wonderful support and the opportunity to study at great universities around the world. My journey was very smooth and had a pleasant experience with Stafford. I would definitely recommend Stafford to any aspiring student for their studies.
