MA International Education (TESOL)

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Application fee: £60

Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.

English language proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no individual component below 6.5.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 100.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 76.
• Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.

The University of Manchester offers a range of scholarships to support international students in funding their education and making their academic journey more accessible. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, support students from diverse backgrounds, and help ease the financial challenges of studying abroad.

Global Futures Scholarship: The Global Futures Scholarship is a prestigious award for international students who demonstrate academic excellence and potential. This scholarship offers a £5,000 contribution towards tuition fees, providing financial assistance for undergraduate and postgraduate students. This scholarship is open to students from specific countries and disciplines, so it is essential to check eligibility criteria and deadlines.

Manchester Master’s Bursary: The Manchester Master’s Bursary is a financial aid program aimed at helping postgraduate students who come from lower-income backgrounds. This bursary offers support for UK, EU, and international students who wish to pursue a master’s degree at the university. The bursary can cover a significant portion of tuition fees and is awarded based on financial need.

Subject-Specific Scholarships: Many departments at the University of Manchester offer subject-specific scholarships for students enrolling in their programs. For example, students applying for programs in engineering, business, life sciences, and the arts may be eligible for additional funding based on academic performance and their future potential. These scholarships are often offered to high-achieving students who demonstrate exceptional skills and dedication to their field of study.

Chevening Scholarships: The Chevening Scholarship is a fully-funded award provided by the UK government, open to outstanding international students from over 160 countries. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living costs, travel expenses, and other related costs. The University of Manchester is a proud participant in this global program and welcomes applications from students wishing to pursue a master's degree in a variety of disciplines.

Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers fully funded scholarships for international students from Commonwealth countries. These scholarships support students pursuing postgraduate studies in fields such as engineering, health sciences, and education. They cover the full cost of tuition fees, travel, and living expenses during the duration of the program.

Regional Scholarships: The university also offers regional scholarships for students from specific countries or regions, including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. These scholarships are designed to make studying at the University of Manchester more accessible to students from these regions and offer both partial and full financial support depending on the scholarship type.

The MA International Education (TESOL) program at the University of Manchester prepares graduates for a wide range of fulfilling and impactful careers in the field of education, specifically focusing on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The program equips students with advanced pedagogical knowledge, teaching skills, and an understanding of international education systems, offering graduates the ability to work in diverse and dynamic educational environments worldwide. 

English Language Teacher: One of the most common career paths for graduates of the MA International Education (TESOL) program is working as an English language teacher. Graduates can teach English to non-native speakers in schools, language institutes, or private tutoring settings across the globe, including in countries where English is a second or foreign language.

ESL Program Coordinator: ESL (English as a Second Language) program coordinators manage and develop English language courses and curricula. They are responsible for ensuring that programs meet educational standards and align with institutional goals. Graduates can work as coordinators in various educational settings, such as schools, universities, and language centers.

TESOL Curriculum Developer: Graduates with an interest in educational content creation can pursue roles as TESOL curriculum developers. These professionals design teaching materials, lesson plans, and assessment tools to support language learning for diverse groups of students. They may work for educational publishers, universities, or language schools.

Educational Consultant: TESOL graduates can work as educational consultants, advising schools, educational institutions, and governments on best practices in language teaching, curriculum development, and assessment strategies. Consultants may work on projects that aim to improve English language education in schools or support education policy development.

E-Learning Specialist: With the increasing demand for online learning platforms, graduates may find roles as e-learning specialists, focusing on the creation and implementation of online English language courses. These professionals work to design, develop, and manage digital content for virtual learning environments, often incorporating interactive tools and multimedia to engage learners.

Teacher Trainer: Graduates with a passion for teaching can become teacher trainers, helping new or less experienced teachers develop their skills in teaching English as a second language. Teacher trainers work with educational institutions or language schools to design training programs, workshops, and seminars, providing guidance on TESOL teaching methodologies and classroom management.

Language Testing and Assessment Specialist: Graduates can pursue careers in language assessment and testing, developing or administering language proficiency tests. These professionals help design standardized exams, such as TOEFL or IELTS, or work with educational institutions to create customized tests that evaluate the language skills of students.

International School Teacher: Graduates can work in international schools, where English is often the medium of instruction. With their TESOL expertise, graduates can teach English as a second language to children and adults in multicultural, global educational settings, supporting students who come from a variety of language backgrounds.

Educational Administrator: Graduates of the MA International Education (TESOL) program may pursue roles in educational administration, managing language schools, educational departments, or international programs. Educational administrators are responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, budgeting, staff management, and ensuring that programs meet educational and accreditation standards.

Director of English Language Programs: Experienced graduates can move into leadership roles as directors of English language programs, overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of language education programs in educational institutions or language schools. They lead a team of teachers and work closely with stakeholders to ensure the success and quality of language courses.

Language Support Specialist: Language support specialists work with students to provide additional language assistance, whether in academic settings or in social contexts. These roles may be found in schools, universities, or language centers, where the specialist helps non-native speakers improve their language proficiency and integrate into their learning environments.

NGO/International Development Worker: Graduates with an interest in international development and education can work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or international agencies, providing English language education as part of humanitarian efforts, supporting educational initiatives in underprivileged or conflict-affected regions, and contributing to community development through education.

Higher Education Lecturer: For those with a passion for academia, graduates may consider pursuing roles as lecturers or professors in universities or colleges, where they teach courses related to TESOL, applied linguistics, and international education. These roles often require additional academic qualifications and research experience, but the MA International Education (TESOL) program provides a strong foundation for academic careers.

Translator/Interpreter: While not directly focused on TESOL, some graduates with advanced language proficiency can find opportunities in translation and interpretation, particularly in the educational or international business sectors, where multilingual skills are essential.