English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics MA
Study level: Postgraduate
This master’s course aims to provide specialist professional development for English Language Teaching (ELT).
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time (UK only)
Up to 2 years full-time (with professional experience)
Course code
AHT024
Start date
January 2024
May 2024
Course overview
We aim to offer you the opportunity to take part in study trips2. In recent years, we have run free trips to the London museums to design language learning tasks based on the artefacts viewed, and to Stratford-upon-Avon to study the impact of Shakespeare’s language on modern English.
During the optional study trip2 to Valencia, Spain, we observe English classes taught in three different universities and discuss intercultural and context-specific issues relating to English Language Teaching with our international collaborators.
The course includes a wide variety of assessment tasks and the opportunity for you to select your own dissertation topic on a subject that is relevant to your teaching context.
The course also engages with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) exchanges, with collaborators you may visit during your international study trip2.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
- Past students have valued the level of academic and pastoral care offered by staff, the variety of assessment tasks on the course, the research-informed teaching and the introduction of the TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) into the degree. The extracurricular opportunities2 made available have also been well received.
- We aim to recruit staff that are experts in their field, publish regularly, are external examiners in other universities and have a national and international profile. Staff encourage students to engage with them in scholarly activities and become part of the academic communities of practice in the School of Humanities, this has included research on how to integrate informal online learning platforms into the ELT curriculum and innovative language learning applications (apps) design (staff are subject to change).
- This course offers a unique mix of theory and practice and encourages students, who are often from a diverse range of countries, to share good and innovative practice and reflect on their own learning and teaching context in an active and inclusive way.
Accreditation and professional recognition
By studying this course, you will have the opportunity to obtain a vocational qualification Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) in Managing the Learning Process, awarded by the Cambridge Assessment, which is fully integrated and is part of the course. This TKT qualification1 is recognised in over 60 countries in the world. Students who already have CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) or DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) will be given Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) for it.
Collaborations with other organisations
Confucius Institute
The School of Humanities is home to the Confucius Institute. This is a collaboration created through collaboration with Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, which aims to promote an understanding of the Chinese language and culture.
What you'll study
Distinctive features of this course can include:
- The links between theory and practice.
- The emphasis on the integration of new technologies in language learning and teaching.
- Its task-based/problem-based approach to language learning and teaching.
- Its varied and innovative assessment tasks.
- The quality of both the pastoral and academic support offered to students.
- Its innovative approach to the internationalisation of the curriculum through Collaborative Online International Learning.
- Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and ELT study trips2, both national and international.
With professional experience option
The professional experience opportunity2 enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester 1, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability.
Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee3, which for 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2,666.67, and for 3 semesters of professional experience is £4,000.
Professional experience may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the professional experience option.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Teaching methods include:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Presentations
- Group projects
- Workshops
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
The university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.
This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.
Teaching contact hours
The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the first and second semester, dropping to around three contact hours per week in the third and final semester as you become a more independent learner.
Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to COVID-19, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/24 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending on the module.
Assessment methods include:
- Formal examinations
- Phase tests
- Essays
- Group work
- Presentations
- Reports
- Projects
- Coursework
- Exams
- Individual Assignments
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
International experience opportunities
- The course includes the opportunity to take part in study trips2. During the optional study trip2 to Valencia, Spain, we observe English classes taught in three different universities and discuss intercultural and context-specific issues relating to English Language Teaching with our international collaborators.
- The course also engages with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) exchanges, with the collaborators the students may visit during their international study trip2.
Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed2.
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2023 /24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £11,200 | Request fee information |
EU | £11,200 per year with EU support bursary** £18,600 per year without EU support bursary** |
Not available |
International | £18,600 | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
*Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
**EU support bursary
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in-line with that of UK students. Students studying a Degree with a Foundation Year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities is joining two of our school’s completely refurbished Art and Design buildings and adding a range of new facilities4, which is planned to open in 2023. These will include a hyper studio designed for cross-disciplinary projects and immersive studios with cutting-edge virtual reality and mixed-reality technologies4. Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities in a dedicated environment.

Delia Derbyshire Building
The Delia Derbyshire complex offers more space to learn, design and make, including a hyper-studio for students across all disciplines to collaborate on projects together, a gallery space and an events atrium.

The Library
You will benefit from our support designed to help you succeed and our industry-relevant teaching and resources. These include our modern library and computing facilities, dedicated careers advice and Your Students’ Union.

Confucius Institute
The School of Humanities is home to the Confucius Institute. This is a collaboration created with the Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, which aims to promote an understanding of the Chinese language and culture.
Careers and opportunities
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be able to:
- Critically appraise theoretical approaches to language learning and teaching and reflect on how to apply them in your teaching practice.
- Discuss and develop research-informed innovative materials for English Language Teaching that are appropriate for your learning and teaching contexts.
- Discuss and propose pedagogical interventions for the purpose of teaching grammar and/or phonology in specific contexts.
- Develop research-informed teaching sessions.
- Critically reflect on observed teaching practice.
- Engage in research-informed reflections on the teaching of English through literature and/or business across contexts.
There is a steady demand for teachers of English in language schools, private schools, state schools, universities and colleges throughout the world.
In addition to enabling you to learn more about classroom, blended and online teaching and learning, this course will provide you with the chance to develop skills to perform roles such as materials developer, resource manager and examiner. It can also lead to a variety of careers associated with teaching English or the use of the English Language, such as education management, academic consultancy, journalism, information management and human resources, among others.
Recognised the world over as evidence of advanced skills and knowledge, a master's degree can assist you to secure professional advancement.
Where our graduates work
Graduates from this course have gone on to establish either teaching or education management careers both in the UK (e.g. lecturer at Coventry University and a Pre-sessional Associate Director for CU Services Ltd) and overseas (e.g. lecturers at universities in Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Jordan, India, Bahrain, Pakistan and China, and an Academic Coordinator for IvyPrep Education in Vietnam).
You may also wish to continue your studies at PhD level (subject to meeting the relevant entry criteria such as obtaining a merit mark and having the appropriate IELTS score for PhD studies).
How to apply
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UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International students
Full-time international students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2023/24 contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.