Boost your English-teaching career

Studying the Master of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) will help you develop your teaching skills.

You’ll strengthen your understanding of language learning, explore common challenges that language teachers and learners face, and reflect on your learning and teaching experience.

In all these areas, you’ll be guided to make links between teaching practice, research, theory, and the contexts within which people teach and learn languages.

Programmes

Discover the Master of Applied Linguistics and the Master of TESOL

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World-class programme

The University's TESOL programme is highly regarded worldwide. It has a strong international orientation which reflects New Zealand’s unique position in the Asia–Pacific region. Our graduates have gone on to teach English and work in educational leadership roles in New Zealand and around the globe.

The MTESOL programme builds on the legacy of sixty years of graduate TESOL education at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Staff teaching in the programme are internationally recognised researchers. They draw on their extensive experience as language teachers and teacher educators to bridge the gap between research, theory, and teaching practice.

Globally ranked

This programme is ranked in the top 50 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2024.

The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.

Flexible study

Study full time or part time—whatever suits your needs best. You can choose to study on campus, online, or through a combination of the two. Start your study at the beginning of any trimester—February, July, or November.

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Students enjoy the practice-based aspect of our courses. They get the opportunity to apply theory to practice through in-class activities and micro-teaching sessions.

Corinne Seals

Associate Professor

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Studying from overseas

If you study this programme from outside New Zealand, you’ll benefit from a strong network of learning support staff. They’ll help you access library resources, learn about research in language teaching, and develop effective study strategies. They can also offer writing support if English is not your main language.

MTESOL Master of TESOL

  • Duration 3–4 trimesters
  • Fees NZ$15,471for the full programme
  • Schedule Online or on-campus classes
  • Intensity Full time or part time
  • Starts 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more)
  • Type Coursework and (optionally) research
  • Location Wellington campuses and online
  • Complete 180 points (12 courses)
  • Entry Bachelor's degree with at least a B average in a relevant subject and two years of related professional experience.

PGDipTESOL Postgraduate Diploma in TESOL

  • Duration trimesters
  • Fees NZ$10,324for the full programme
  • Schedule Online or on-campus classes
  • Intensity Full time or part time
  • Starts 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more)
  • Type Coursework and (optionally) research
  • Location Wellington campuses and online
  • Complete 120 points (8 courses)
  • Entry Bachelor’s degree with at least a B average in a relevant subject and two years of related professional experience. 

PGCertTESOL Postgraduate Certificate in TESOL

  • Duration trimester
  • Fees NZ$5,178for the full programme
  • Schedule Online or on-campus classes
  • Intensity Full time or part time
  • Starts 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more)
  • Type Coursework
  • Location Wellington campuses and online
  • Complete 60 points (4 courses)
  • Entry Bachelor’s degree with at least a B average in a relevant subject and two years of related professional experience.

Multicultural Wellington

Wellington is a wonderful place to explore language and language learning. It’s a diverse, multilingual city with an active community of people who teach English to speakers of other languages.

Scholarships

Every year Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington offers thousands of scholarships to new and current students. Look for scholarships based on your level of study, subject area, and background.