UK · Master's
University of Leicester
MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL
University of Leicester
Course Overview
The University of Leicester's MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL is one of the longest-established UK programmes in the field (running since 1985) and consistently ranks in the UK top 15 for Education subjects. The 1-year Master's combines theoretical foundations in second-language acquisition, sociolinguistics and discourse analysis with practical TESOL methodology, materials development, and classroom-based research. Students can specialise via optional modules in English for Specific Purposes (ESP), Teaching Young Learners, or Technology-Enhanced Language Learning.
Sri Lankan applicants — including British Council teachers, MoE English-stream coordinators, NIE lecturers, private institute (BCIS, Lyceum) heads of English, and IELTS examiners — choose Leicester for the academic prestige plus the practical credibility the programme carries with British Council postings worldwide. The MA Applied Linguistics is also a frequent Chevening Scholarship target. Returnees move into Director of Studies posts at major institutes, NIE / Open University tutor roles, or international IELTS / Cambridge examiner panels.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's degree (any discipline) from a recognised Sri Lankan university — minimum Second Class Upper (2:1 / GPA 3.3+).
- check_circle Teaching experience is preferred but not mandatory — applicants without experience are accepted if academic credentials are strong.
- check_circle Personal statement (500-800 words) covering motivation, English-teaching experience (if any), and academic interests.
- check_circle Two references (academic preferred).
- check_circle CV and full transcripts.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (min 6.0 in each band).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall (min 19 in Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Writing, 22 in Speaking).
- check_circle PTE Academic: 61 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your Bachelor's was taught and assessed entirely in English at a recognised institution.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (£) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (full programme) | £23,000 | Rs. 9,200,000 |
| Living Expenses (12 months, Leicester) | £12,000 | Rs. 4,800,000 |
| Student Visa & IHS Fee | £1,250 | Rs. 500,000 |
| Total Programme Investment | £36,250 | Rs. 14,500,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the 2-year UK Graduate Route. Top hirers include British Council (global teaching network), Pearson, Cambridge English Assessment, Macmillan, INTO University Partnerships, plus UK FE colleges and pre-sessional programmes at Russell Group universities. Sri Lankan returnees frequently take Senior Examiner / Director of Studies posts at British Council Colombo, Lyceum, BCIS, and IIHS. UK ELT Lecturer salaries: £30,000-42,000.
Related Programs
MA Education
UCL Institute of Education
MSc TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
University of Edinburgh (Moray House School of Education)
Master of Education (MEd)
University of Toronto (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education)
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