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English Language Centre

How to Apply

Before you apply you should make sure you have read through the University's Postgraduate Prospectus which gives important information about procedures and costs as well as about Durham itself and the Courses Database which gives mores specific information about our programmes. If you wish to visit the department, please let us know and we can arrange a visit.

 Entry Requirements 

  • MA TESOL: a good first degree (normally a UK 2.1 or equivalent)
  • MA in Applied Linguistics for TESOL: a good first degree (normally a UK 2.1 or equivalent) plus at least two years English language teaching experience
  • English language requirement for non-native speakers (both degrees): IELTS minimum score of 7.0 with at least 7.0 in each section

We welcome applications from holders of international qualifications. For advice on the equivalency of international qualifications and further information on English language requirements, please contact our International Office on international.office@durham.ac.uk or visit the International Office website at www.durham.ac.uk/international

Making an Application

All applications must be made using the online application form. If you are unable to use the online application form, please contact the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office for advice at pg.admissions@durham.ac.uk. Durham is a collegiate University and you also need to apply for membership of a College. Each College offers a wide range of support, accommodation and facilities and more information about Durham Colleges can be found on the Colleges website. Part-time students do not need to join a College, but are welcome to do so.

Once you have completed the on-line application form, please ensure that you forward copies of your supporting documents - academic transcripts, degree certificates, copies of English language certificates (where appropriate) and reference letters. It is acceptable to send these documents as email attachments and you should send them to matesol.englishlanguagecentre@durham.ac.uk as soon as possible as it may not be possible to make a decision on your application until all documents and certified translations have been received.

Please note that you will need to provide certified translations of any documents which are not in English. The translations must be provided by a professional translation organisation and should include the following:

  • Details of the translator’s credentials, ie their professional qualifications;
  • Confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original;
  • The translator’s contact details;
  • The translator’s original signature and the date of translation;
  • The award date of the qualification.

Once a decision has been made on your application, it will be sent to the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office for approval who will send you the formal offer of a place.

Tuition Fee Deposits for International Students

The UK's points-based immigration system requires overseas students to demonstrate that they have the appropriate finances in place in order to apply for a visa to enter the UK. To help all self-financing overseas students applying for postgraduate taught programmes at Durham the University has introduced a tuition fee deposit. The tuition fee deposit is paid before the University issues a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) number which overseas students need in order to apply for a visa. The CAS will show the deposit paid and will help you to demontrate that you have the finances required in order for you to enter the UK to study.

  • the deposit will be credited to your account with the University and reduce the amount that you have to pay when you begin your study
  • you need to pay the deposit within 6 weeks of the date of your original offer letter - if you think you may need to extend this deadline, please contact us at matesol.englishlanguagecentre@durham.ac.uk
  • the deposit payment is a condition of the offer made and failure to pay the deposit by the required deadline may result in your offer being withdrawn
  • your deposit payment can be made via our online payment facility and you can access this at www.durham.ac.uk/deposits. Follow the instructions given on the website and, once submitted, you will receive an email to confirm that the payment has been made. This is the most secure and efficient way to make your payment. If you are unable to pay via this web page please email studentbilling.query@durham.ac.uk and a member of staff from the Student Billing Team will be happy to assist you

The deposit will be refunded if:

  • you do not achieve the award of an undergraduate degree with the required GPA
  • you do not achieve the required IELTS/TOEFL score
  • you do not apply for a pre-sessional course if your offer of a place includes this option (not all offers do)
  • your visa application is unsuccessful