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Graduate Certificate in TESOL

Teach English to speakers of other languages. Take your career global. Teach and shape minds.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

Applicants can apply directly to UOW. You may be required to have scans or electronic copies of the following documents ready to attach to your application:

  • Academic qualifications relevant to your application
  • English proficiency evidence (if required)
  • Evidence of your citizenship, passport, or permanent residency status

Before you apply, please check the UOW course entry requirements, intake dates, and closing dates for your chosen degree.

International students are encouraged to apply with the support of an approved UOW agent. An agent can help navigate the application process and ensure that you submit all necessary documentation. For your nearest agent, please see our agent list.

Alternatively, if you would like to apply directly (without an agent), you can start the process through our Apply Online portal. Please note, some applicants will not be eligible to apply directly and will be prompted to apply via an agent.

Before starting your application, review the entry requirements, intake dates, and deadlines for your chosen degree at UOW. International students should also be aware of both UOW's general English language requirements and the English proficiency standards required for a student visa.

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

For more details about this course

Australia: 1300 367 869. International: +61 2 4221 3218

Student ?
Campus ?
Delivery ?
Distance
Duration
6 months full-time, or part-time equivalent
Starts
  • Autumn 2025
  • Spring 2025
  • Autumn 2024
  • Spring 2024
Code
UOW: 1164

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is a specialist qualification for people who want to teach English to speakers of other languages in Australia or overseas. Current primary or high school teachers who want to gain additional ESL qualifications will also be interested in this qualification.

This graduate certificate offers sound theoretical and empirical foundations and extensive practical skills that address the broader aspects of education and training. In addition to exploring teaching methods and common grammar issues, you will also undertake a supervised professional experience placement in an ESL classroom.

Once you have completed three core subjects and one elective subject, you will have the opportunity to progress into the Master of Education (TESOL) or the Master of Education Extension (TESOL), with credit for all of the subjects (24 credit points) completed in the graduate certificate.

Incredibly flexible, this graduate certificate allows you to study online, in the classroom, or a combination of both.

See the course handbook for more information.

Fee subsidised places available

UOW is offering Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) for all of our postgraduate coursework degrees in 2025. This means the Australian government will subsidise your tuition fees by up to 75%. To be eligible for this fee subsidy, you must meet the following criteria: Be a domestic student, i.e. an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or a permanent Australian Humanitarian visa holder.

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Careers

TESOL programs are suitable for qualified classroom teachers in public or private schools, as well as those who want to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) through private colleges, refugee support groups, and other support agencies.

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Accreditation & professional recognition

The University of Wollongong is recognised by the Department of Education (DE) as a provider of EAL/D qualifications for primary/secondary trained teachers. DE accreditation will be dependent upon subject choice.

Admissions information

A range of admission options are available for future students. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

A three-year bachelor’s degree, a teaching qualification, or appropriate equivalent professional experience. (The Graduate Certificate in TESOL assumes an undergraduate background and some practical classroom experience in TESOL.) It provides the formal theoretical component and supervised practicum experience required for a formally accredited teaching qualification.

Students will have the opportunity to progress into the Master of Education (TESOL) or the Master of Education Advanced (TESOL) if they are interested in further study, with credit for all of the subjects (24 credit points) completed in the Graduate Certificate.

  • Academic Entry Requirements

    To succeed in your chosen course, you should have completed relevant subjects in senior high school or other qualifications. For more information, refer to UOW's Entry Requirements page.

  • English Language Requirements

    The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

     

    English Test

    Overall Score

    Reading

    Writing

    Listening

    Speaking
    IELTS Academic

    6.5

    6.0

    6.0

    6.0

    6.0
    TOEFL (Internet-based)

    86

    18

    18

    17

    17

     

    UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Credit (weighted average mark of 65 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

    Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.

  • Workload

    Full-Time Study Load

    As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 48 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study and practical work & placements.

    For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

    Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

    UOW values lifelong learning and recognizes various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

More detail

International Course fees table
Campus Delivery method Session fee* Course fee*
UOW Online WollongongDistance$16656 (2025)$16656 (2025)
UOW Online WollongongDistance$15264 (2024)$15264 (2024)
WollongongOn Campus$16656 (2025)$16656 (2025)
WollongongOn Campus$15264 (2024)$15264 (2024)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression. These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Tuition fees are reviewing annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:

  • Autumn, 2025 at Wollongong

    Orientation: 24 - 27 February 2025
    Session: 03 March - 27 June 2025

    Applications Close

    • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 December 2024*
    • International Applicants: 31 October 2024*

    *Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session.

    Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

  • Spring, 2025 at Wollongong

    Orientation: 14 July 2025
    Session: 28 July - 20 November 2025

    Applications Close

    • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 May 2025*
    • International Applicants: 31 March 2025*

    *Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session.

    Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

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