TESOL & EMI

MA TESOL and EMI provides educators and language professionals with a strong theoretical and practical foundation in the field of English language teaching and teaching through the medium of English. It is the only postgraduate programme in Ireland that offers a dual focus on established and emerging fields of TESOL and English-medium instruction.



MA TESOL and EMI is a taught programme offered on a one-year full-time or two-year part-time basis using a combination of educator-student contact hours, self-directed learning and research, a teaching practicum placement, and a minor thesis/practice-led project component. There is an option to exit the programme without completing the thesis/practice-led project component and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma (NQF Level 9) in TESOL and EMI.



The programme is suitable for current and future TESOL and English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers, as well as primary, secondary and higher education subject teachers delivering courses through English as an additional language. It aims to¿equip students new to teaching with the knowledge and skills required for effective English language teaching; and in-service teachers, especially those teaching through the medium of English, with an opportunity to develop their pedagogical knowledge and practice. All students in this programme will enhance their analytical, creative and reflective skills as EMI educators and/or English language teachers.



The programme is suitable for international students (both from EEA and non-EEA countries), as well as domestic students intending to work abroad or with multilingual learners. Expected entrants include, but are not limited to:



Pre- and in-service English language teaching specialists (TESOL educators), at primary, post-primary, and HE levels. You will have an interest in a language-related career such as language teaching, curriculum design, language program management, language policy planning, or teacher education.¿¿¿

In-service primary, post-primary, and tertiary educators from diverse disciplines, who are currently teaching or planning to teach non-language subjects through the medium of English in non-Anglophone settings (EMI educators). You will have existing discipline-specific expertise and have an interest in enhancing your English language communication skills and developing your EMI pedagogy.¿¿

Domestic graduates of English and foreign-language programmes in Ireland who are interested in working abroad. You will have an interest in developing your knowledge of TESOL pedagogy.¿¿

Registered primary and post-primary teachers in Ireland who are currently teaching or planning to teach multilingual students in the mainstream school system. You will have an interest in developing your knowledge of TESOL pedagogy.¿¿

The programme components of both MA TESOL and EMI and PG Dip in TESOL and EMI correspond to the current minimum qualification requirements by the Accreditation and Coordination of English Language Services (ACELS) accreditation scheme in Ireland. The applicants will have sufficient credits and modules to apply for recognition of their teaching qualification with ACELS, for employment as English language teachers in language teaching institutions in Ireland and overseas.



MA TESOL and EMI is not an initial teacher education programme. It does not confer qualified teaching status or professional accreditation in Ireland.

The 90 ECTS MA TESOL and EMI programme comprises 60 ECTS credits of taught compulsory and elective modules that ensure a solid foundation in the discipline of TESOL/EMI, while allowing students to pursue particular areas of interest. A 10-credit teaching practicum is included in the taught modules. Students also complete a 30 ECTS minor thesis of practice-led research project under the supervision of a faculty member.



Students will have the option to exit the programme with 60 ECTS of taught modules (including the 10-credit teaching practicum) and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma (NQF Level 9) in TESOL and EMI.



Students wishing to continue their studies upon completion of the MA programme can apply for PhD in Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Studies at the School of Modern languages, Literatures and Cultures.

Normally a 2.1 Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline. Applicants with a lower grade in their undergraduate degree and/or with equivalent professional experience may also be admitted on the basis of an interview.



Minimum English language requirements:

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. The requirements specified by the University are applicable for both EU and International applicants.

Closing Date : 14 August 2026

1 year full-time

The MA in TESOL and EMI equips students for entry into a number of career paths, as well as providing existing practitioners with an opportunity for continuous professional development.



The programme is suitable for language and non-language professionals intending to work in the areas of:



English language teaching to children, adolescents and adults in a variety of educational settings

Content teaching through the medium of English in primary, secondary, tertiary and other educational settings

English language teacher education

Continuous professional development for teachers

Bilingualism and multilingualism

Curriculum development

Language policy development

Instructional design in language and EMI programmes