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I want more infoHighlights
- Prepares you for a professional career in English language teaching.
- Develop excellent knowledge and practical skills to teach English to speakers of other languages.
- Make an even bigger impact by studying a course that aligns with your career path, whether you're leading from the front of a classroom or driving change beyond it.
- If you’re a qualified teacher, fast-track your career by completing this course in just one year, provided you meet our entry requirements.
- Study on campus or online for flexibility while you work.
Highlights
- Prepares you for a professional career in English language teaching.
- Develop excellent knowledge and practical skills to teach English to speakers of other languages.
- Make an even bigger impact by studying a course that aligns with your career path, whether you're leading from the front of a classroom or driving change beyond it.
- If you’re a qualified teacher, fast-track your career by completing this course in just one year, provided you meet our entry requirements.
Why choose this course?
The TESOL Major can provide you with qualifications to seek employment in second language education in Queensland, Australia, or overseas. It will also equip you with understandings of second language acquisition and the ability to implement innovative learning and teaching approaches.
Be inspired by postgraduate students putting their learnings into action. Read their stories on our Education insights blog.
Subsidised fees available
This course is one of many Commonwealth Supported Places that QUT has secured to make postgraduate study more affordable and accessible.
Find out more here.
Why choose this course?
The TESOL Major can provide you with qualifications to seek employment in second language education in Queensland, Australia, or overseas. It will also equip you with understandings of second language acquisition and the ability to implement innovative learning and teaching approaches.
Be inspired by postgraduate students putting their learnings into action. Read their stories on our Education insights blog.
Learn from the best
The QUT course has an established reputation as the qualification of choice for teachers seeking face-to-face and online experiences. In the TESOL major you will learn from experts who are leaders in their particular areas of second language education. The study area is backed by evidence-based research in areas including:
- second language acquisition and pedagogy
- second language assessment
- school-based, higher education and community-based teaching and learning
- the links between migration, language and education
- the social implications of second language use.
Explore this course
You'll gain practical skills in:
- second language teaching needs analyses
- second language curriculum design and assessment
- teaching second language listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary.
The TESOL major is designed to be responsive to practitioners in schools, universities and community education who are seeking knowledge, understandings and skills in second language education. You’ll be able to recognise and address the needs of students who are using English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D).
Alternatively, you can study a fully customisable Graduate Certificate in Education by choosing units tailored to your interests and needs.
Flexible delivery
You may study this course part time. If you choose a selection of option units you can choose to study full-time or part-time.
You can study on campus, online or select a blended approach to suit you. QUT provides a variety of online learning environments to enable you to participate fully, receive expert guidance and support, and be in regular contact with expert teaching staff.
Careers and outcomes
The Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL) is recognised in the school and higher education sectors in Australia and overseas. It is also recognised in the ELICOS language education and TAFE sectors in Australia. This provides you with a portable qualification, whether you are seeking new career opportunities or seeking advancement in your existing workplace.
Course articulation
You have the option to keep learning and build towards a Master of Education.
Professional recognition
The Graduate Certificate in Education does not lead to teacher registration. If you are seeking a teaching qualification, the Bachelor of Education, or Master of Teaching may be suitable for you. Explore course options here.
Course articulation
You have the option to keep learning and build towards a Master of Education.
Course articulation
You have the option to further your studies with a Master of Education. In the Master of Education you can choose to continue online study or consider face-to-face studies at our Kelvin Grove campus.
Possible careers
- TESOL teacher
To graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL) you will need to complete all units in the TESOL major. You may only study the TESOL major part time.
The Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL) is only available to non-student visa holders. This course is available 1 year part-time. To graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL) you will need to complete all units in the TESOL major.
International students studying on a student visa may only study full time. If that's you, you will need to refer to Graduate Certificate in Education - Choice of Units to create a full-time course structure.
- Course code
- EU60
-
- Online
- Kelvin Grove
-
- Online
- 1 years part-time
- 1 years part-time
- February and July
- February and July
Entry requirements
You must have one of the following:
- A recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline; or
- A recognised diploma in any discipline followed by at least four years full-time (or equivalent) professional work experience involving learning, training, teaching or tutoring, or in an educational setting, Education department or related statutory authority; or
- Seven years full-time (or equivalent) professional work experience involving learning, training, teaching or tutoring, or in an educational setting, Education department or related statutory authority
Relevant work experience examples
- Childcare group leader, director etc
- Dance, music, etc teacher
- Educational administration
- Educational psychologist
- Education department and related statutory authorities
- Health care or social work professional working in an educational setting
- School, college, university administrator
- School chaplain, police officer
- Teacher
- TESOL, TEFL teacher
- Tutor
- University or TAFE lecturer
Minimum academic requirements
Entry requirement
You must have a completed recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline.
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|
Cambridge C1 Advanced
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| TOEFL iBT Australia Test (120 scale) | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2027 fees
2027: Fee available from October
2027 fees
2027: Fee available from July
2026 fees
2026: CSP $2,400 per year part-time (48 credit points)
2026 fees
2026: $18,900 per year part-time (48 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
International Merit Scholarship
A high achievement scholarship for future international undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
International Talent Scholarship
A new scholarship for 2026 that covers tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
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