General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent).

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• IELTS score to 7 overall, no more than two components at 6.0/6.5 & rest 7.0+

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Our Drama Education and English Language Teaching (MA) degree for 2023 entry contains a number of core and optional modules as shown below.  

Storytelling Drama for Education 

The storytelling drama for education module offers an opportunity to explore the potential for learning through practical drama exploration. The module explores a range of theoretical lenses through which narrative and culture can be critically examined making links between practical drama exploration and theoretical positioning. Due to its emphasis on practical drama exploration, it encourages students to consider how storytelling exploration can offer learning opportunities, and to consider how meanings are made, communicated and / or constructed through stories arising from the oral tradition. It is a module that offers opportunities to develop systematic understanding whilst applying practical techniques for real-world situations.   

Drama and Literacy 

The Drama and Literacy module is responsive to the stress placed internationally on the development of literacy in education establishments in recent years. Drama and Literacy looks specifically at theories of literacy that emphasise the importance of cultural semiotics and social context. It considers the close historical relationship between drama and English in schools and explores the specific contribution drama can make to children’s language development in general and the development of reading, writing and speaking and listening in particular whilst also embracing new notions of multi-literacies.   

Research Methods in Education

This module encourages students in understanding, designing and implementing research in the field of education. It will introduce you to a range of established research strategies and techniques, including data collection and analysis. These skills will enable you to design and carry out a dissertation research project, as well as to disseminate its findings. As part of this module, you will present your research design and have the opportunity to receive feedback ahead of completing your dissertation. 

Dissertation 

The dissertation is an opportunity to explore, in depth, an area of academic and/or professional interest related to your degree. Building on the knowledge and skills developed during the Research Methods module, and your other modules, you will conduct an independent research project, developing a deeper understanding of your chosen topic. From your research project, you will produce a dissertation, with guidance from a supervisor who will be allocated to you. Through the dissertation, you will demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise relevant literature, produce coherent arguments supported by relevant evidence and logical discussion, and acknowledge sources of ideas and information. 

SLA Insights for TESOL Practice 

This module explores areas of second language acquisition (SLA) research that are relevant to TESOL practice. It considers how SLA is affected by individual learner characteristics as well as social-interactive processes in the classroom, and focuses specifically on features of SLA that can be positively shaped by teachers. 

Literature and Drama in TESOL 

Literature and drama provide us with compelling material for involving our students in successful language learning activities. Engagement with story, a rich social context, personal response, and interactive play - all of these acknowledged facilitators of language learning are enabled through the use of literature and drama. When literary texts and drama activities are appropriately chosen and delivered, learners have opportunity to develop their knowledge of the target language at a variety of levels. Additionally, reading literature in a second language provides students with cultural insights and provides a genuine source of motivation for learners. However, personal experience and research tell us that literature is not widely used in TESOL and that it is often considered ‘difficult’ by learners. We shall explore why this is and how the situation may be improved through principled text selection and methodologies that focus on developing reader response. 

You will develop a critically informed understanding of the place of literature and drama in the EFL/ESL classroom and ways in which the teaching of literature or drama and language can be integrated. Although we shall include approaches to teaching ‘classic’ texts, the module will embrace a very broad concept of literature, including the popular novel, children’s literature and film drama. 

Foundations of TESOL Methodology  

This module provides students with a solid foundation in TESOL theory and practice. It explores both historical and contemporary developments in TESOL in order to give students a broad understanding of the field of English language teaching. Through such exploration, students are encouraged to reflectively engage with and develop their own beliefs about language learning and teaching, particularly in relation to educational contexts they are familiar with and/or will return to as practicing teachers. 

or  

Innovations in TESOL Methodology 

This module aims, in the first instance, to enhance students’ abilities to consider innovation in TESOL from a critical perspective in relation to their own teaching context. Students learn how to engage in and evaluate innovation by means of practitioner research and how to manage innovation. On this foundation, in the last part of the course students will be introduced to and invited to critically appraise a wide variety of recent proposals for innovation. 

Optional modules 

Optional modules are available to choose from the Department of Applied Linguistics. Please refer to our module catalogue, selecting 'Applied Linguistics' and 'Postgraduate Taught Level' to see examples of optional modules that have run in previous years.

Please note, module content and availability may change until the start of summer term of the preceding year.

Teaching

Modules for this course are delivered by two departments. All modules are delivered in-person at our well-equipped university campus. Drama-focused modules provide practical experience of a wide range of drama and theatre practices. Other modules, from both Education Studies and Applied Linguistics are delivered in a range of formats to suit (these may include lectures, seminars, group work and practical workshops, for example). Modules taken in the Department of Applied Linguistics develop your understanding of key approaches to Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL). 

In addition to taught sessions, you will be given various pre- and post- session tasks and readings to support your learning. 

Typical contact hours

You will have core teaching contact time in each term, plus rehearsal time and regular trips to local schools and theatres and guest lectures and performances throughout the year. 

Assessment

Assessment types vary depending on modules selected but may include different types of assignments, of varying lengths, as well as oral or performance presentations. You will also complete a dissertation based on an individual research project, with support from a research supervisor. 

Additional course costs

You may wish to undertake some research with children or young people that may require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or a Certificate of Good Conduct for students from outside of the UK. A Certificate of Good Conduct can vary in price.

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Find out more about our additional course costs.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career

Many of our alumni have gone go on to:

• Study teacher training courses to become teachers of drama/theatre and/or English language
• Enhance their profile as classroom drama/theatre and English teachers, many securing promotion
• Successfully complete Doctoral study, becoming academics in the field of drama and theatre education
• Work as theatre education and outreach officers for leading arts organisations
• Develop their portfolio as freelance practitioners/facilitators in the field of drama and theatre in education

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in Education
• Careers with Children and Young People
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year

Education Studies at Warwick

Education has the power to change lives

Education changes lives through teaching, coaching, training, and through work in local and global communities. What do you understand about that power? Bring your fascination for the way we communicate and learn to Warwick.

Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

• Childhood in Society (MA)
• Drama and Theatre Education (MA)
• Drama Education and English Language Teaching (MA)
• Education (MA)
• Educational Innovation (MA)
• Educational Leadership and Management (MA)
• Global Education and International Development (MA)
• Islamic Education (PGA)
• Islamic Education: Theory and Practice (MA)
• Leading Educational Change and Improvement (PGA)
• Psychology and Education (MA)
• Research Methods in Education (PGA)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• Doctorate in Education (Ed.D)
• Education (MPhil/PhD)

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course