2026-27 entry

Applied Linguistics and TESOL MA

School of English, Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Share your love of language with some of the most enthusiastic experts in the world. Whether your interest in language and language teaching is professional or academic, this MA provides you with advanced training in the theory and techniques of applied linguistics. You also have the option to take our TESOL-specialist pathway, focusing on various aspects of the theory and practice of language teaching.
  • Start date
    September 2026
  • Duration
    1 year
  • Attendance
    Full-time
Visit us Apply for this course
Hide
Visit us Apply for this course Chat to a student

Explore this course:

    Apply now for 2026 entry and book to join us at our next postgraduate online open day on Wednesday 26 November 2025.

    Students

    Course description

    This course provides essential academic and professional training in the systematic study of language education, language learning and language teaching. The degree is ideal for:

    • experienced language teachers and language-related professionals wishing to further develop their careers by deepening their knowledge and skills in applied language research
    • scholars interested in applied language and linguistic research
    • those looking to develop their knowledge and skills at an advanced level before progressing to doctoral research

    Taught by our leading experts in applied linguistics, you'll also learn from our academics who have expertise in related disciplines including sociolinguistics, critical discourse analysis and corpus linguistics, and in the field of TESOL. We have particular expertise in academic writing, vocabulary acquisition, English for Specific Purposes (ESP), materials design and testing.

    As part of this degree you have the option to take our TESOL-specialist pathway, focusing on various aspects of the theory and practice of language teaching. By selecting from relevant modules, you'll be awarded an MA in Applied Linguistics with TESOL.

    Modules

    We're revising the curriculum of the course for this year of entry and are in the process of confirming the modules. The information here gives you an idea of the areas we expect the course to cover. There may be changes before you begin your studies. As you progress through your course, we’ll confirm additional details of the core and optional modules available to you.

    The taught component of the MA is designed to develop your understanding of key theoretical and practical approaches to the study of applied linguistics. You will take core modules designed to immerse you in current international scholarship in applied linguistic research and provide training in advanced level research skills before you start your own research project.

    Optional modules allow you to explore particular areas of the study of linguistics in closer detail, allowing you to tailor your degree to your specific interests or career ambitions.

    The dissertation provides the opportunity for you to further develop your skills and apply your linguistics knowledge to an independent research project.

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    Interested in postgraduate taught study? Join us at our next postgraduate online open day on Wednesday 26 November 2025 to find out what makes studying at Sheffield special.

    Book your place on our next postgraduate online open day

    You can also register your interest to find out more about studying here and future events.

    Duration

    1 year full-time

    Teaching

    You’ll be taught by a dedicated and enthusiastic team of experts. Our internationally recognised research feeds straight into our teaching, with students sometimes taking a hands-on role in our research activities.

    The staff are leading figures in their fields, in many cases having written the books and papers you will be studying: 

    You’ll spend about eight hours a week in lectures, seminars and workshops.

    Assessment

    Assessment depends on the module, but includes essay assignments and classroom coursework tasks.

    You'll write your dissertation over the summer. If you don’t complete the dissertation, you’ll be awarded a diploma.

    Your career

    Our graduates have expert-led training in a range of applied linguistic research and research skills in preparation for advanced careers in language and language teaching all over the world. They also work in business, publishing, translation and interpreting.

    The skills gained on this degree programme are designed to enhance the careers of experienced language teachers and language-related professionals including those involved in curriculum development, translation and interpreting, and forensic and clinical work involving language by deepening their theoretical knowledge and skills in applied language research.

    We also offer support for students planning to progress to PhD study following their MA degree.

    Your career - the School of English

    School

    School of English

    We're a research-intensive school with an international perspective on English studies. Students can specialise in their chosen subject, while taking modules from other programmes, forging interdisciplinary connections. We encourage you to get involved and to apply your academic learning, working in partnership with external organisations both within the city of Sheffield and beyond.

    Our staff are researchers, critics, and writers. They're also passionate, dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to ensure their students are inspired.

    We keep seminar groups small because we believe that's the best way to stimulate discussion and debate. Our modules use a range of innovative assessments and can include designing websites, writing blog posts, and working with publishing software, in addition to writing essays and delivering presentations.

    We're committed to providing you with the pastoral support you need in order to thrive on your degree. You'll be assigned a personal tutor with whom you'll have regular meetings. You're welcome to see any of our academic staff in their regular student consultations if there's anything you want to ask.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.

    Subject requirements

    We accept degrees in the following subject areas: 

    • Didactics
    • Education
    • English
    • English Language
    • English Teaching (TESOL/TEFL/ELT)
    • Linguistics
    • Modern Languages
    • Pedagogy

    We may consider other English or language-based degrees depending on the amount of linguistics and/or teaching modules studied.

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    If required degree subjects and modules are listed, these are indicative only. Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 7 (with 6.5 in each component) or University equivalent

    Other English language qualifications we accept

    Other requirements

    We will not ask you to provide references or referee details as part of your application.

    We do not require a supporting statement for this programme.

    Pathway programme for international students

    If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Sheffield International College. This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school.

    Fees and funding

    Fees

    Funding

    The Ragdoll Foundation - School of English Postgraduate Scholarships

    We're offering two scholarships worth £10,000 each for home fee-paying students starting a taught postgraduate course in the School of English in 2025.

    Studentships

    There are a number of studentships and fee bursaries available, funded by either the University or the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Deadlines for funding applications are usually in winter/early spring. 

    Funding for postgraduate taught courses

    Alumni discount

    Save up to £2,500 on your course fees

    Are you a Sheffield graduate? You could save up to £2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.

    Apply

    You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

    Apply now

    Contact

    Start a conversation with us – you can get in touch by email, telephone or online chat.

    Contacts for prospective students

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.