Duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Semester One – 3 March
2025 Semester Two – 21 July
Available locations
City
Points
120
Programme type
Postgraduate
Taught options available

Programme overview

This taught masters programme is designed for the professional development of teachers. You can better understand the problems that people face when learning a new language. You will be able to apply this knowledge to improve your teaching practice and employment prospects.

You may be able to take some of the courses towards your degree online. Completing the MTESOL does not qualify you to teach in state schools in New Zealand.

Other related programmes include the Postgraduate Diploma in Language Teaching and the Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics.

Programme structure

There are two different ways that you can structure your MTESOL:

Taught courses only

  • Three elective courses in conducting research in applied language studies, curriculum design, sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, discourse analysis, assessment, or creativity in language teaching (45 points)
  • Five more elective courses from our wide range of language teaching courses (75 points)

Taught courses and a dissertation

  • One core course in conducting research in applied language studies (15 points)
  • Five elective courses from our wide range of language teaching courses (75 points)
  • A dissertation (30 points)

You can find the requirements for your study in the MTESOL Schedule, and take a look at our postgraduate courses in TESOL.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

Taught courses only

Year One 120 points

  • Code:
    LANGTCHG 760
    Name:
    Curriculum Design
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    LANGTCHG 764
    Name:
    Creativity: Research and Practice
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    LANGTCHG 765
    Name:
    Language Teaching and Assessment
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts

Sample programme structure

Taught courses and a dissertation

Year one 120 points

  • Code:
    LANGTCHG 757
    Name:
    Conducting Research in Applied Language Studies
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    LANGTCHG 753 or 790
    Type:
    Dissertation
    Points:
    30 pts

Subjects available in this programme

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 3.5

    Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or bachelors degree and work experience

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Taught 120 points

You must have completed one of the following:

  • A bachelors degree in any subject and at least two years of teaching experience.
  • A Bachelor of Arts (Honours), or a one-year postgraduate qualification following an undergraduate degree, in a subject related to language teaching, business English or language studies, and at least one year of teaching experience.

You will need a GPA of 3.5.

The following subjects may also be considered for entry: A language other than first language, Language Teaching (any language), Linguistics, Education. 

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 3.5

    One year of postgraduate study or an undergraduate degree and work experience

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

    No bands less than 6.0

    See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Taught 120 points

You must have completed one of the following:

  • An undergraduate degree in any subject and at least two years of teaching experience.
  • A one-year postgraduate qualification following an undergraduate degree, or an equivalent four-year undergraduate degree, in a subject related to language teaching, business English or language studies, and at least one year of teaching experience.

Your study must have been at a recognised university (or similar institution) and you will need a GPE of 3.5.

The following subjects may also be considered for entry: A language other than first language, Language Teaching (any language), Linguistics, Education. 

If you have not completed two years of full-time study in an English medium institution you need an overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 on all bands in IELTS (Academic).

Other pathways to study

The Postgraduate Diploma in Language Teaching is a suitable pathway to the MTESOL.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$8,860.80*
International students
NZ$42,828*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,065.60 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Note: For international applicants, the application closing date for Semester Two 2024 is 24 May 2024.

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025
8 December 2024
Semester Two 2024
4 July 2024

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

If you have experience in language teaching, the MTESOL will further your knowledge and skills to enable you to advance your career as a professional in the field.

Jobs related to this programme

  • English as a second/foreign language teacher
  • Second/foreign language teacher trainer
  • Lecturer in second/foreign language teacher education
  • Professor

Further study options

See all study options

Graduate story: Jessica Su

Travelling to New Zealand to study for an MTESOL, China-based Jessica Su learned innovative ways of teaching.

Read more

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