TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) (Distance)

PgCert

  • Entry year 2026
  • Duration Part time 1 year
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Overview

Study online for a postgraduate level Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with one of the top Linguistics departments in the world, according to the 2025 QS World Rankings. You will be learning from some of the world’s leading experts in second language teaching. Whether you’re looking to build on existing experience or enter the field for the first time, this is ideal training to advance your career prospects.

Why Lancaster?

  • Choose one of the largest Linguistics departments in the UK, with expertise across a wide range of language, linguistics and language education fields
  • Combine this programme with work and other commitments, studying from anywhere in the world
  • Learn the latest thinking and good practice, engaging with the latest developments in language teaching
  • Access Lancaster University’s extensive online resources and interact with peers and your tutors via our virtual learning site
  • No teaching experience? No problem. We welcome students from all backgrounds, including those new to English language teaching
  • Boost your career prospects by uplifting your professional skills and knowledge

Learn from world experts

Linguistics at Lancaster University has an outstanding international reputation for delivering world-class teaching and conducting cutting-edge research of the highest quality. Throughout your course, you will be taught by experts in the fields of second language acquisition and language teaching pedagogy.

Studying for one year part-time, you will take two modules:

  • Second Language Acquisition
  • Trends and Issues in Language Teaching

Enhance your teaching career

On this course you will expand your expertise in the field of second language teaching. You will gain insights that will inform your own teaching practice, and you will learn how to conduct research in your classroom. You will gain practical expertise and knowledge of the theories that underpin excellence in the classroom. This will open up a range of opportunities in second language teaching roles.

Our Postgraduate Certificate in TESOL (Online) will allow you to achieve these objectives in a supportive and interactive environment. We are very experienced in delivering an excellent online learning experience. You will have easy access to teaching and resources, and ample opportunities to interact with your peers.

Build global networks

Our students are experienced teacher practitioners from all over the world. Each student brings a unique perspective and insights that are specific to their local and national educational and assessment practices and systems. This makes your learning experiences with us holistic, global and multifaceted – a unique combination that most in-person programmes do not offer.

As a Lancaster student, you may find that you develop long-lasting professional networks and personal friendships.

Flexible. Supportive. Collaborative.

The programme is delivered via Lancaster’s high-quality virtual learning site. You will have access to the University’s extensive online library resources and custom-made learning materials.

You will have the flexibility to study alongside your work and personal commitments from anywhere in the world. You’ll always feel supported, thanks to close interaction with your tutors, detailed feedback on your work, and opportunities to collaborate and share experiences with other students.

Programme options

This Certificate programme provides direct access into any of our TESOL Diploma and Master’s programmes:

Certificate and Diploma programmes include a sub-set of modules from related MA programmes, and each programme is offered independently of the others.

This flexibility is valuable to those who are combining study with work or other responsibilities, or who are unsure about entering postgraduate level study.

On successful completion of the Certificate, you can progress to the Diploma or the Master’s, with exemption and a fee discount for modules already taken. Similarly, after the Diploma, you can sign up for the Master’s and take only the remaining modules.

Please contact pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk for further information.

Careers

The Postgraduate Certificate in TESOL (Online) will equip you with advanced skills in second language teaching, preparing you to progress in your current role or to explore different roles.

Your skills will be particularly relevant in settings such as:

  • Language teaching organisations
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • Educational publishing

If you have enjoyed what you have learned on this course, you may decide to continue exploring this area by studying for one of our Diploma programmes or a full Master’s.

Careers and employability support

Our degrees open up an extremely wide array of career pathways in businesses and organisations, large and small, in the UK and overseas. Our specialist Employability team is ready to support you, whether you are starting out your career after leaving higher education or returning to university to open up new career options.

We provide individual employability advice, application support, career events, development opportunities and resources to help you plan and achieve your career goals.

The Lancaster Award is available to all postgraduate taught students and recognises work experience, volunteering and personal development alongside your studies. Developed with employers, it helps you reflect on key skills, boost your CV and articulate your strengths with confidence.

Whether you have a clear idea of your potential career path or need some help considering the options, our friendly team is on hand.

Find out more about Lancaster’s careers events, extensive resources and personal support for Careers and Employability.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

2:1 Hons degree in a related subject is normally required. We will also consider applications where you have a degree in other subjects, have a 2:2 or equivalent result and/or extensive relevant experience. In these cases, you should clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills have prepared you for postgraduate study.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Additional Requirements

We accredit the Diploma in English Language Teaching (DELTA) qualification or equivalent (e.g. Level 7 Diploma in TESOL) as prior learning. It counts 20 credits and exempts students from LING531, Trends and Issues in Language Teaching Methodology. Applicants whose prior learning is accredited receive a 10% reduction in fees. Students need to request accreditation at the point of application to the programme. Credit will be awarded for learning that has taken place within the last five years immediately prior to the start of the course. Credit may also be awarded in cases where a TESOL qualification has been awarded more than five years ago but where the applicant can provide evidence that their learning has continued in a professional or similar context since then.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in listening and speaking. We also consider other English language qualifications.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit INTO Lancaster University for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

Detailed module information for this postgraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.

Fees and funding

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General fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.