Career opportunities in TESOL

With their strong knowledge base in teaching and research, our graduates work worldwide in all areas of the English language teaching profession.

Example roles include:

  • Training other TESOL teachers
  • Managing TESOL education
  • Teaching English at primary, secondary or tertiary levels
  • Teaching English in specialised fields (for example, Business English)
  • Designing TESOL curricula, materials and policies

Representatives from international teacher recruitment agencies visit our campus every year to talk to our students. They also conduct on-campus interviews with students shortlisted for TESOL-related posts.

Some of our students also stay with us to pursue research degrees in the areas of TESOL, Language Education and Applied Linguistics.

I am now studying as a PhD student at Moray House School of Education, with a specific interest in language learner’s emotion regulation strategies. I have always wanted to pursue a PhD degree, and the experience of studying in the MSc TESOL programme has prepared me well for the challenges of advanced research. The courses in the TESOL programme enriched my knowledge and honed my skills in conducting research, which has laid a solid foundation for my PhD study. The supportive and inclusive academic environment has also inspired me to further explore my research interests and motivated me to continue my academic journey in TESOL at Moray House.

Siyan Chen (MSc TESOL 2021-22)

I am now working as a teacher and materials writer in Mongolia, while also planning a research paper for the near future. Even though I had a lot of teaching experience before I took the MSc TESOL, the course was hugely beneficial to me because it connected the practical experience I'd had with language-teaching theory and enabled me to understand my profession comprehensively. As such, I am now able to carry out academic research and take on senior roles in the TESOL sector with confidence, and this is thanks to the high quality of education that I received at the University of Edinburgh.

James Scholl (MSc TESOL 2014-15)

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Photograph of MSc TESOL Graduate, James-Scholl
MSc TESOL Graduate, James Scholl

Careers Service

The University of Edinburgh's Careers Service supports all current students (and graduates for up to 2 years) to develop their potential and achieve satisfying and rewarding futures.

Join in and make use of:

  • individual appointments
  • group sessions
  • wider campus-based activity
  • online services and resources

We also deliver a diverse programme of face-to-face and online events throughout the academic year.