Master of TESOL and Applied Linguistics
This is a course for people who want to develop advanced scholarly and practical knowledge to teach English language and literacy to children, post-secondary learners or adults. You can commence this course as a qualified teacher or as a career changer to update your knowledge and skills and upgrade your existing teaching qualification.
The course builds your foundational knowledge and skills needed to teach English language and literacy and then offers you the option to specialise in 1) English language, literacy and/ or numeracy teaching in the adult education sector, 2) English as an additional language or dialect teaching in the primary or secondary education sector or 3) academic English teaching in the post-secondary education sector. As you progress to the later stages of the course, you will be able to choose from a range of electives that extend the depth of scholarly knowledge in contemporary topics in TESOL and applied linguistics.
In this course, you will be taught by experienced practitioners who have close connections with industry and who are research active in their specialist area of English language, literacy and numeracy education. This means that your learning will be authentic, research-informed and applicable to your teaching practice.
You will be studying with colleagues from a diverse range of settings, both local Australian students and international students. The classes in the course are interactive and draw on both academic staff input and also your experiences and knowledge as language and literacy learners and users.
The course features flexible study options, with classes held at times suitable for students working standard full-time hours. Credit recognition may be available if you are already a qualified teacher.
The course enables students to specialise in one of three streams. The first stream focuses on teaching English for academic purposes where graduates teach English to international students who are studying or seeking to study university courses in institutions where English is the medium of instruction; employers of these graduates are typically English language colleges or universities in Australia or overseas. The second stream is designed for teaching adults who are developing their English language, literacy and/ or numeracy skills as part of a migrant education and settlement program; a ‘second chance’ education program; a job-seeker, vocational or workplace program; or a community education program. Employers for graduates from this second stream include colleges in the vocational education and training sector, community education providers and industries. The third stream is for school teachers who work in Australia or overseas who teach English as an additional language and literacy to primary or secondary school students; graduates from this stream will typically be employed by schools.
Read what our graduates say about our TESOL and Applied Linguistics courses
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Course aims
This course equips teachers with in-depth research-based knowledge of topics in TESOL and Applied Linguistics. The course focuses on contemporary models of language, literacy and numeracy learning and teaching. It has both a strong focus on practice through two supervised teaching practicums, and an emphasis on recent developments in the field of language and literacy studies. The course consists of subjects that equip teachers with skills and in-depth knowledge in the areas of teaching practice, pedagogical grammars, global Englishes, discourse analysis, phonology and pronunciation, language development and language and literacy for specific purposes.
Study plan
To view the study plan please visit the UTS Handbook.Course fees
For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:
Local student
In most cases, UTS offers domestic students entry to postgraduate courses on a fee paying basis.
Tuition fees are charged:
- based on the particular course in which you are enrolled
- based on the number of credit points in which you are enrolled
- at the rates set for the current year and revised annually
Fees for future year(s) published in the online calculator, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.
Tuition fees can be found in the online calculator.
A small number of postgraduate courses offer government subsidised Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Find out whether there are CSPs available in this course by visiting our postgraduate fees page.
In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional costs.
UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage
International student
Tuition fees for international postgraduate coursework students can be found using fees search.
Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.
For this course, the cost per credit point for 2025 is $774. The total credit points are 72.
All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:
- Protocol on refund of fees for international students - contains the refund of fees information for international students.
- Tuition Protection Service - designed to ensure that students receive the tuition they have paid for
In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.
UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage
For further information on costs related to your study at UTS, visit the international students' fees information page.
Careers
Career options include teacher of English as an additional language, adult literacy and numeracy/foundation skills in Australia or overseas, curriculum developer and program manager in the TESOL/ literacy and numeracy sector (applicants are advised to check with potential employing bodies regarding employment requirements).
Course structure
To view the course structure please visit the UTS Handbook.Additional information
Course duration
This course is offered on a one-and-a-half year, full-time or three-year, part-time basis.
On campus - WeeklyAdmission requirements
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian master’s degree, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study
OR
- Completed Australian graduate diploma or graduate certificate, or overseas equivalent, in TESOL and must be recognised as an AQF Level 8 qualification by being either:
- awarded by an Australian university; or
- listed on the National Register of Higher Education Providers and Courses with a valid accreditation at the time of the qualification being awarded to the applicant; or
- assessed as an overseas equivalent by ECCTIS, ERIC-NARIC or CEP.
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor’s degree, or overseas equivalent, in Education, Management and Commerce, Society and Culture, or Creative Arts
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor’s degree, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant professional experience
Applicants who do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C06116 Graduate Diploma in TESOL and Applied Linguistics or C11254 Graduate Certificate in TESOL and Applied Linguistics.
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application
For applicants who need to demonstrate work experience:
- Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
- A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
- A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
- A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
- An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
- A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International studentsVisa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian master’s degree, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study
OR
- Completed Australian graduate diploma or graduate certificate, or overseas equivalent, in TESOL and must be recognised as an AQF Level 8 qualification by being either:
- awarded by an Australian university; or
- listed on the National Register of Higher Education Providers and Courses with a valid accreditation at the time of the qualification being awarded to the applicant; or
- assessed as an overseas equivalent by ECCTIS, ERIC-NARIC or CEP.
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor’s degree, or overseas equivalent, in Education, Management and Commerce, Society and Culture, or Creative Arts
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor’s degree, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant professional experience
Applicants who do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C06116 Graduate Diploma in TESOL and Applied Linguistics or C11254 Graduate Certificate in TESOL and Applied Linguistics.
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application
For applicants who need to demonstrate work experience:
- Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
- A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
- A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
- A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
- An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
- A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential for successfully completing a course at UTS. You can find the inherent requirements for your course via the inherent requirements directory.
Recognition of prior learning
Students may be granted some recognition of prior learning if they have completed:
- CELTA
- Cert IV TESOL/TEFL/TEYL
- DELTA
- Primary teaching Bachelor's or Master’s degree qualification
- UTS Bachelor of Education in Adult Education (Language, Literacy and Numeracy)
- Master of Teaching or Bachelor of Teaching in ESL/EALD, English or LOTE.
Articulation with UTS courses
This course is part of an articulated program, comprising of the Master of TESOL and Applied Linguistics (extended) (C04420), the Master of TESOL and Applied Linguistics (C04305), the Graduate Diploma in TESOL and Applied Linguistics (C06116), and the Graduate Certificate in TESOL Applied Linguistics (C11254). Each course functions as an entry point and exit point for students.
Scholarships and prizes
Scholarships
For Education and International Studies and Social Sciences students
- ARC Linkage Project in digital-twin driven prognostics for the mining industry
- Crescent Leadership Scholarship
- Developing a governance model for reef and fisheries governance in SE Asia
- Ericsson Technology Scholarship
- International Research Training Program Scholarship (IRTP)
- Mentoring of Women in Engineering and IT Scholarship
- RACE for 2030 CRC Industry PhD Scholarship
- Rosemary Johnston HDR Scholarship
- Scape Accommodation Scholarship
- Supporting sustainable and equitable coral reef and fisheries governance in SE Asia
- Telstra Enterprise Certitude Scholarship
- The Wonderful, Fluorescent, Massive World of Tiny Invisible Things: Creating Transformative Science Stories for Children. A collaboration between science and the creative arts.
- Thrive: Next Generation Graduates - PhD – Social Science and Policy
- Thrive: Next Generation Graduates – MRes – Social Science and Policy
- UTS Diploma to Degree Pathway Scholarship
- UTS Housing Resident Networker Scholarship
- UTS Scholarship for European Undergraduate Students
- UTS-Vietnam Government Project 89 PhD Scholarship
- Wikipedia and Australian history and events
Only for international students
- Australia Awards Scholarships (Australian Government Scholarships)
- UTS Academic Excellence International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship – South Asia
- UTS Chinese Postgraduate Tuition Fee Scholarship
- UTS MACC Postgraduate Scholarship
- UTS Study Abroad Excellence Scholarship
- UTS Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship
For all domestic students
Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students
Prizes and awards
For Education and International Studies and Social Sciences students
- Andrew and Lina Gullotta UTS Community Pharmacy Award
- Aqua Nine and DeAúrora UTS Good Manufacturing Practice Prize
- Business Deans Merit List (Postgraduate)
- CommBank & Telstra UTS Best Venture Prize
- Dame Mary Gilmore Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Engineering (Management) Postgraduate Achievement Prize
- Engineering (Technical) Postgraduate Achievement Prize
- Gareth Ivory Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Guy Morrison Prize for Excellence
- Henry Davis York Prize
- Industrial Relations Society of NSW Prize for Excellence in Industrial Relations Undergraduate Study
- Information Technology Postgraduate Achievement Prize
- Lance Jolly Prize
- Orthoptics Australia Prize
- Pharmaceutical Defence Limited Prize
- Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Prize for Excellence in Pharmacy
- PMI Project Management Prize
- SHPA NSW Branch Prize for Excellence in Clinical Practice
- Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Award for Achievement in Adult Education
- Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Award for Achievement in Adult Education
- Teachers Mutual Bank Rural Student Placement Prize
- The BioCeuticals Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- The Carla Zampatti Foundation Design Award
- The Complementary Medicine Group (CMG) for Good Manufacturing Practice Prize
- The iNova Pharmaceuticals Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- The Star Combo Pharma Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- The Webstercare Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- Trevor Buchner Design Prize
- UTS Anthology Writing Prize
- Zonta Club of Sydney Inc Prize for the Woman MBA Graduate of the Year
UTS: Handbook
Information for international students
Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.
Domestic students
Before you apply
Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:
- session dates
- admission requirements for postgraduate coursework at UTS
- required levels of English proficiency for the course you’re interested in.
- recognition of prior learning guidelines if you’ve undertaken previous study that might be credited towards your course at UTS.
How to apply
Domestic applicants can apply via UTS Student Portal.
Intake
Spring Session 2025
Important dates
JANUARY 2025
|
|
---|---|
26
|
Postgraduate applications close for Main Calendar Autumn Session 2025
|
FEBRUARY 2025
|
|
---|---|
3
|
Postgraduate applications open for Spring and Summer Session 2025
|
3 - 14
|
Orientation for Main Calendar Autumn Session
|
17
|
Main Calendar Autumn Session 2025 commences
|
MARCH 2025
|
|
---|---|
3
|
Last day to be admitted to a course or enrol in (add) subjects for Main Calendar, Health UG Calendar, Education UG + PG Calendar Health Extended Teaching Calendar Autumn Session 2025
|
JUNE 2025
|
|
---|---|
29
|
Postgraduate applications close for Spring Session 2025
|
JULY 2025
|
|
---|---|
21 - 25
|
Orientation for Main Calendar Spring Session
|
28
|
Main Calendar Spring Session 2025 commences
|
AUGUST 2025
|
|
---|---|
11
|
Last day to be admitted to a course or enrol in (add) subjects for Main Calendar, Health UG Calendar, Health Extended Teaching Calendar Spring Session 2025
|
OCTOBER 2025
|
|
---|---|
TBC
|
Postgraduate applications close for Summer Session 2025
|
DECEMBER 2025
|
|
---|---|
1 - 5
|
Orientation for Main Calendar Summer Session 2025
|
JANUARY 2026
|
|
---|---|
TBC
|
Postgraduate applications close for Main Calendar Autumn Session 2026
|
Need more information?
Scholarships, prizes and awards
Scholarships
For Education and International Studies and Social Sciences students
- ARC Linkage Project in digital-twin driven prognostics for the mining industry
- Crescent Leadership Scholarship
- Developing a governance model for reef and fisheries governance in SE Asia
- Ericsson Technology Scholarship
- International Research Training Program Scholarship (IRTP)
- Mentoring of Women in Engineering and IT Scholarship
- RACE for 2030 CRC Industry PhD Scholarship
- Rosemary Johnston HDR Scholarship
- Scape Accommodation Scholarship
- Supporting sustainable and equitable coral reef and fisheries governance in SE Asia
- Telstra Enterprise Certitude Scholarship
- The Wonderful, Fluorescent, Massive World of Tiny Invisible Things: Creating Transformative Science Stories for Children. A collaboration between science and the creative arts.
- Thrive: Next Generation Graduates - PhD – Social Science and Policy
- Thrive: Next Generation Graduates – MRes – Social Science and Policy
- UTS Diploma to Degree Pathway Scholarship
- UTS Housing Resident Networker Scholarship
- UTS Scholarship for European Undergraduate Students
- UTS-Vietnam Government Project 89 PhD Scholarship
- Wikipedia and Australian history and events
Only for international students
- Australia Awards Scholarships (Australian Government Scholarships)
- UTS Academic Excellence International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship – South Asia
- UTS Chinese Postgraduate Tuition Fee Scholarship
- UTS MACC Postgraduate Scholarship
- UTS Study Abroad Excellence Scholarship
- UTS Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship
For all domestic students
Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students
Prizes and awards
For Education and International Studies and Social Sciences students
- Andrew and Lina Gullotta UTS Community Pharmacy Award
- Aqua Nine and DeAúrora UTS Good Manufacturing Practice Prize
- Business Deans Merit List (Postgraduate)
- CommBank & Telstra UTS Best Venture Prize
- Dame Mary Gilmore Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Engineering (Management) Postgraduate Achievement Prize
- Engineering (Technical) Postgraduate Achievement Prize
- Gareth Ivory Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Guy Morrison Prize for Excellence
- Henry Davis York Prize
- Industrial Relations Society of NSW Prize for Excellence in Industrial Relations Undergraduate Study
- Information Technology Postgraduate Achievement Prize
- Lance Jolly Prize
- Orthoptics Australia Prize
- Pharmaceutical Defence Limited Prize
- Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Prize for Excellence in Pharmacy
- PMI Project Management Prize
- SHPA NSW Branch Prize for Excellence in Clinical Practice
- Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Award for Achievement in Adult Education
- Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Award for Achievement in Adult Education
- Teachers Mutual Bank Rural Student Placement Prize
- The BioCeuticals Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- The Carla Zampatti Foundation Design Award
- The Complementary Medicine Group (CMG) for Good Manufacturing Practice Prize
- The iNova Pharmaceuticals Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- The Star Combo Pharma Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- The Webstercare Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- Trevor Buchner Design Prize
- UTS Anthology Writing Prize
- Zonta Club of Sydney Inc Prize for the Woman MBA Graduate of the Year
International students
Before you apply
Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:
- session dates
- admission requirements for postgraduate coursework at UTS
- required levels of English proficiency for the course you’re interested in.
- recognition of prior learning guidelines if you’ve undertaken previous study that might be credited towards your course at UTS.
You can meet an international student advisor at one of our events worldwide to ask questions and submit an application.
Important dates
View the Academic year dates for information on session start and end dates, census dates, study vacation and exam periods.
Visit essential information for international students for the application closing dates.
How to apply
International applicants apply to study via UTS International.
Intake
Spring Session 2025
Need more information?
Scholarships, prizes and awards
Scholarships
For Education and International Studies and Social Sciences students
- ARC Linkage Project in digital-twin driven prognostics for the mining industry
- Crescent Leadership Scholarship
- Developing a governance model for reef and fisheries governance in SE Asia
- Ericsson Technology Scholarship
- International Research Training Program Scholarship (IRTP)
- Mentoring of Women in Engineering and IT Scholarship
- RACE for 2030 CRC Industry PhD Scholarship
- Rosemary Johnston HDR Scholarship
- Scape Accommodation Scholarship
- Supporting sustainable and equitable coral reef and fisheries governance in SE Asia
- Telstra Enterprise Certitude Scholarship
- The Wonderful, Fluorescent, Massive World of Tiny Invisible Things: Creating Transformative Science Stories for Children. A collaboration between science and the creative arts.
- Thrive: Next Generation Graduates - PhD – Social Science and Policy
- Thrive: Next Generation Graduates – MRes – Social Science and Policy
- UTS Diploma to Degree Pathway Scholarship
- UTS Housing Resident Networker Scholarship
- UTS Scholarship for European Undergraduate Students
- UTS-Vietnam Government Project 89 PhD Scholarship
- Wikipedia and Australian history and events
Only for international students
- Australia Awards Scholarships (Australian Government Scholarships)
- UTS Academic Excellence International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship – South Asia
- UTS Chinese Postgraduate Tuition Fee Scholarship
- UTS MACC Postgraduate Scholarship
- UTS Study Abroad Excellence Scholarship
- UTS Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship
For all domestic students
Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students
Prizes and awards
For Education and International Studies and Social Sciences students
- Andrew and Lina Gullotta UTS Community Pharmacy Award
- Aqua Nine and DeAúrora UTS Good Manufacturing Practice Prize
- Business Deans Merit List (Postgraduate)
- CommBank & Telstra UTS Best Venture Prize
- Dame Mary Gilmore Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Engineering (Management) Postgraduate Achievement Prize
- Engineering (Technical) Postgraduate Achievement Prize
- Gareth Ivory Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Guy Morrison Prize for Excellence
- Henry Davis York Prize
- Industrial Relations Society of NSW Prize for Excellence in Industrial Relations Undergraduate Study
- Information Technology Postgraduate Achievement Prize
- Lance Jolly Prize
- Orthoptics Australia Prize
- Pharmaceutical Defence Limited Prize
- Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Prize for Excellence in Pharmacy
- PMI Project Management Prize
- SHPA NSW Branch Prize for Excellence in Clinical Practice
- Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Award for Achievement in Adult Education
- Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Award for Achievement in Adult Education
- Teachers Mutual Bank Rural Student Placement Prize
- The BioCeuticals Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- The Carla Zampatti Foundation Design Award
- The Complementary Medicine Group (CMG) for Good Manufacturing Practice Prize
- The iNova Pharmaceuticals Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- The Star Combo Pharma Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- The Webstercare Prize for Good Manufacturing Practice
- Trevor Buchner Design Prize
- UTS Anthology Writing Prize
- Zonta Club of Sydney Inc Prize for the Woman MBA Graduate of the Year