Programme structure: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MSc) - what's running in 2026/27

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

    This section describes which Units you will take in which year of study. It indicates which units are mandatory and where you will be able to choose. The overall pass marks you will need to achieve in order to progress or achieve an award are shown. The full regulations concerning progression and completion are held in the University's Regulations and Code of Practice. Any particular aspects of your programme that are unusual will be highlighted. If any Units are must pass this will be shown below. The linked unit specifications detail any additional requirements.

    What do the Levels represent?

    What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?

    If you are selecting optional units, ensure that you have a balanced workload through the year.

  • Year 1 (2026/27)

The following units in this programme are must pass: EDUCM1900, EDUCM0093, EDUCM0092, EDUCM0091, EDUCM5904. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
Dissertation EDUCM1900 60 Mandatory TB-4
Research Methods in Language Education EDUCM0092 20 Mandatory TB-1
Second Language Learning EDUCM5904 20 Mandatory TB-1
Pedagogy and Curriculum for Language Education EDUCM0093 20 Mandatory TB-1
Expanding notions of Language EDUCM0091 20 Mandatory TB-2
Remaining 40 credit to be taken from:
Bilingual and Multilingual Education EDUCM0085 20 Optional TB-2
Cognitive Neuroscience and Classroom Practice EDUCM0078 20 Optional TB-2
Current issues in language, education and global mobility EDUCM0098 20 Optional TB-2
Educational Action Research EDUCM0099 20 Optional TB-2
Globalisation and the Politics of English EDUCM0048 20 Optional TB-2
Language Testing and Assessment EDUCM5907 20 Optional TB-2
MSc Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages   180    

Award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on the award of credit, reassessment and award of a qualification please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Degree classifications:

A classification will be awarded in the following qualifications:

  • Taught postgraduate Masters degree, including a Master of Research (MRes)
  • Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications
  • Exit awards of Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates in designated programmes (as described in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.

A classification is not awarded for exit awards where students are required to withdraw from the programme on academic grounds.

The overall final programme mark is calculated as the average of all unit marks in the programme, weighted by credit point value.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

  • Distinction = final programme mark of 70+
  • Merit = final programme mark of 60-69
  • Pass = final programme mark of 50-59
  • Fail = final programme mark of 49 or less

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

Diploma/certificate stages:

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 100 must be at level 7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.

Related links