Master's Program in Education (TESOL)

Overview

The MA in TESOL is designed for both aspiring, emerging, and experienced language educators seeking to deepen their understanding of second/foreign language teaching and learning as well as educational research. This intellectually stimulating program offers a dynamic exploration of TESOL, blending theory and practice across key areas such as second language acquisition, teaching methods, syllabus design, and educational policy.

Program Details

• Duration:
  • 1 year (full-time)
  • 2 years (part-time)
• University Affiliation: Developed in collaboration with the University of Derby, a UK institution ranked in the top 15 for Education (Guardian 2025).

Learning Objectives

Through the program, students will achieve:

• Development of a solid foundation in applied linguistics and foreign language pedagogy.
• Understanding of second language acquisition and how educators respond to diverse student learning needs.
• Training in contemporary methodologies and practical approaches to teaching English in the classroom.
• Engagement with evolving pedagogies addressing global issues, including technology's role in teaching and learning.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes six specialized taught modules in TESOL, followed by the completion of a dissertation or educational project tailored to individual academic and professional interests. Modules include:

Language and Learning: Theory and Practice (20 credits)

• Explore Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theories and their application in English Language Teaching (ELT).

The Principles of English Language Teaching (20 credits)

• Examine key theoretical approaches and methodologies that shape English language teaching.

Contemporary Debates in Applied Linguistics (20 credits)

• Engage with current debates in TESOL practice, including technology's impact on language education.

Curriculum, Pedagogy & Materials Development in English Language Teaching (20 credits)

• Develop skills for designing, evaluating, and adapting curricula to diverse teaching contexts.

The Changing Contexts of TESOL (20 credits)

• Investigate current educational challenges, focusing on multilingualism and inclusive education.

Research and Innovation in Education (20 credits)

• Design a research proposal and undertake an educational project aligned with individual interests.

Extended Education Project (60 credits)

• Conduct a significant research-based project under expert supervision, culminating your Master's journey.

Admission Requirements

• Educational Background: Open to graduates from various disciplines. Candidates without a university degree may also apply based on professional qualifications and experience in foreign language education.
• English Proficiency: A minimum of IELTS 6.5 / CEFR B2 level or equivalent is required.
• Candidates must submit:
  • Academic transcripts or certificates.
  • A CV and reference letters.
  • Attendance at an academic interview with the program leader.

Career Prospects

Holders of an MA TESOL degree are prepared for careers in:

• English Language Teaching
• Course Design in EFL
• English Language Assessment
• Educational Consultation
• Publishing and Journalism

Degree Recognition

The degree awarded is recognized in Greece as professionally equivalent to degrees conferred by Greek state universities and is also acknowledged by UK NARIC as academically equivalent to any UK degree.

This program embodies a distinctive blend of theory, research, policy, and practice, equipping future language educators with the skills necessary to excel in diverse learning environments and adjust to the evolving landscape of language education.

Mediterranean College's MA Education (TESOL) Program:

Degree Overview:

The MA Education (TESOL) program at Mediterranean College is a 2-year part-time postgraduate program designed to equip graduates and current teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to become highly qualified English language teachers both in Greece and internationally.

• The linguistic processes involved in second/foreign language learning
• Addressing the learning needs of students from diverse linguistic backgrounds
• Modern pedagogical theories in teaching English as a second/foreign language

Benefits of the program:

• Offered by the University of Derby, ranked in the TOP20 UK Universities for Education studies (Guardian, 2019)
• Accredited by Ofsted with an "outstanding" grade
• Offers exit points with Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) and Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) options
• No written examinations – assessment through written work, presentations, and portfolios
• Accredited lecturers from the University of Derby
• Participation in the "MA Education Works" conference and other national and international conferences
• Part of the MC Employability Scheme for career preparation

Outline:

Year 1:

• Fall Semester: Crafting your Masters Study, The Principles of English Language Teaching, Comparative Education
• Winter Semester: Language Learning Theory and Practice, Developing the Skills of the Specialist Practitioner, Evidence Based Practice
• Summer Semester: (flexible, choose from other modules offered in the program)

Year 2:

• Independent Study (thesis)

Modules:

The program consists of six 20-credit modules:

• Crafting Your Masters Study: Introduces students to the principles of postgraduate study and research
• The Principles of English Language Teaching: Explores the history, principles, and approaches to teaching English as a second/foreign language
• Comparative Education: Examines different educational systems and their implications for teaching English
• Language Learning Theory and Practice: Focuses on the theories of language acquisition and their application to teaching English
• Developing the Skills of the Specialist Practitioner: Develops practical skills in teaching English, including lesson planning, assessment, and classroom management
• Evidence Based Practice: Introduces students to the principles of evidence-based practice in education and how to apply research findings to their teaching

Assessment:

Assessment in the program is through:

• Written assignments
• Oral presentations
• Portfolios

Teaching:

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Student presentations
• Workshops
• Small-group activities

Careers:

Graduates of the MA Education (TESOL) program can work as highly-qualified English language teachers in various settings, including:

• Schools
• Foreign language institutions
• NGOs
• International summer schools

Other:

• Students have the opportunity to participate in the annual "MA Education Works" conference.
• The program includes a dedicated module on developing the skills of the specialist practitioner.

Mediterranean College is the first independent Anglophone college to be founded in Greece, established in 1977. For nearly five decades it has operated continuously according to the standards of countries with a long tradition in higher education, principally the United Kingdom and the United States. It holds the distinction of being the first college in Greece to introduce franchise degree programmes from a British state university, a model it pioneered in 1992 and which has since become the standard framework for private higher education across Greece and the wider European Union.

Today, Mediterranean College operates campuses in Athens (two locations), Glyfada and Thessaloniki, all centrally located and accessible by public transport. Across these campuses it delivers a portfolio of over 80 undergraduate, postgraduate and Continuing Professional Development courses through 10 academic schools, serving students from Greece and internationally.

Our mission

Mediterranean College has evolved into a higher education institution with a leading role in Greece across the study fields of Economics, Business, Computing, Social Sciences, Tourism, Health Professions and Engineering. Its mission rests on four pillars: academic excellence, student success, academic and technological innovation, and social contribution. The College's aim is to become a renowned international learning centre in Greece, delivering high-quality programmes within an educational environment where quality consistently meets student needs.

To realise that mission, the College is guided by the following commitments:

• Providing thorough preparation in each chosen field to support graduates' successful entry into the job market
• Creating a learning environment that challenges students while promoting ethics, responsibility and integrity
• Developing transferable skills including critical thinking, creativity, analysis and communication, applicable in any professional, academic or social context
• Enhancing employability through active industry connections and support for gaining practical experience
• Preparing students for leading positions in national and international economies through broad and varied academic exposure.
• Offering flexible delivery patterns and scholarships to make higher education accessible to all qualified students
• Broadening research relations with national and international institutions and academics of international reputation
• Participating actively in the social and cultural life of the community

Academic partnership: University of Derby

Mediterranean College's primary and longest-standing academic partner is the University of Derby, a British university with a 180-year history and a student-centred philosophy. The College has held a strategic franchise partnership with Derby since 2010, under which franchised programmes delivered at Mediterranean College are identical to those delivered on Derby's own campuses in the UK. The university retains full responsibility for curriculum content, teaching and assessment methods, and quality assurance mechanisms.

As a result of this partnership, Mediterranean College ranks first in Greece in the study fields of Business, Marketing, Education, Hospitality and Mechanical Engineering, according to the Guardian University Guide. The University of Derby itself holds a TEF Gold rating for teaching excellence, is ranked in the top 5 in the UK for Marketing and PR and for Civil Engineering (Guardian 2026), and 96.3% of its graduates move into employment within six months of graduating.

A Mediterranean College student enrolled under this partnership is simultaneously a University of Derby student, studying the same curriculum delivered on Derby's home campus. They hold the same rights and responsibilities as Derby students in the UK, may participate in exchange schemes, fieldtrips and university-organised projects, and are eligible for postgraduate scholarships at the University of Derby. Their degree is professionally equivalent to degrees awarded by other Greek and international universities, and enables registration with UK professional bodies and the right to practise in the UK, Greece and abroad.

Additional academic partnerships

• European International University (EIU), Paris: a private institution licensed by the French Ministry of Higher Education, accredited by ASIC and recognised by the Business Graduates Association (BGA), ATHEA and the European Council for Business Education (ECBE). Through this partnership, Mediterranean Professional Studies offers internationally recognised Advanced Professional Diploma, Professional Diploma and Executive Diploma certifications across a broad CPD portfolio.
• Pearson: the world's leading certification organisation, supervised by UK Ofqual, SQA Accreditation and CCEA Accreditation. Mediterranean Professional Studies has been a Pearson Approved Training Centre (formerly Edexcel) since 1997, delivering CPD courses under Pearson's Quality Assurance Scheme.
• ABC Awards and Certa Awards: Mediterranean Professional Studies offers Level 5 Higher Professional Diplomas under the European Qualifications Framework through the ABC/Certa Quality License Scheme.

Quality assurance and accreditation

Mediterranean College is subject to quality controls from four distinct bodies, an unusually rigorous multi-layered oversight structure:

• Greek Ministry of Education: the College holds a licence to operate in Athens and Thessaloniki under Law 4093/2012 (License Number: 120863/2-9-13, Government's Gazette 2278/B/12-9-13)
• British Accreditation Council (BAC): a founding member of ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education), established in 1984 by the British Council, the QAA, the Council of Validating Universities and the British Universities' Council of Vice-Chancellors. Since 2000, Mediterranean College has been continuously reviewed and accredited by the BAC as an institution providing higher education.
• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA): the UK body responsible for auditing academic standards at universities and colleges. In the most recent QAA audit of transnational education provision in Greece (2015), Mediterranean College and its partner the University of Derby received an outstanding report, commending the two institutions' performance on quality assurance.
• Collaborating universities: under franchise agreements, the partner universities maintain complete control over and responsibility for programme content, teaching, assessment and quality. The degrees awarded to Mediterranean College graduates are recognised in Greece, across the EU and in the broader international academic community.

Degree recognition

Degrees awarded to Mediterranean College graduates by partner universities are fully recognised internationally and professionally equivalent to degrees awarded by Greek state universities. They are also recognised by UK NARIC (now ENIC-NARIC), the national agency for the recognition of international qualifications in the UK. This recognition enables graduates to pursue professional registration in the UK and Greece, and to continue to postgraduate study worldwide.

Schools and academic areas

Mediterranean College delivers programmes across 10 academic schools, covering a wide range of disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate level:

• School of Economics and Business
• School of Computing
• School of Engineering
• School of Psychology
• School of Education
• School of Health and Sport Sciences
• School of Shipping
• School of Tourism and Hospitality
• School of Arts and Design
• School of Law and Governance

Leading institutional initiatives

Mediterranean College has established a series of distinctive initiatives that set it apart from other higher education providers in Greece:

• MC Employability Scheme: a holistic programme designed to enhance graduates' readiness for the job market, developed in collaboration with a wide network of industry partners across Greece
• Board of Visitors: an advisory body connecting the College with senior professionals and industry leaders who contribute to the strategic direction of academic programmes
• Annual Learning and Teaching Conference: a forum for academic staff, researchers and education professionals to share best practice and drive pedagogical innovation
• Education Festival: a public event that positions Mediterranean College as an active participant in Greece's broader educational and cultural landscape
• Greece as an International Education Hub initiative: a strategic effort to position Greece and Mediterranean College as a destination for international students
• Sports and Education initiative: linking athletic development with academic achievement
• The Education Awards and Student Excellence Conference: exclusive events recognising outstanding student performance and contribution

Research

Mediterranean College maintains an active research agenda, with academic staff engaged in applied research across business, computing, psychology, engineering, health sciences and education. The College actively develops research relations with national and international academics and institutions, and supports staff development through conference participation, publications and collaborative research projects.

Student support and welfare

Mediterranean College is explicitly student-centred in its approach. A comprehensive suite of support services is available at all campuses to help every student succeed:

• Personal Tutoring: each student is assigned a personal tutor for academic guidance and pastoral support throughout their studies
• Academic Skills Centre: targeted support for study skills, academic writing and research methods
• Counselling Centre: professional psychological support and mental health services
• Language Centre: English language and additional language support for all students
• Learning Support Centre: specialist support for students with learning differences or disabilities
• Career Services: internship placement, career planning and employer connections
• Bursaries and Scholarships: academic and social scholarships to ensure accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds
• International Office: dedicated support for international students, including visa guidance and accommodation assistance
• Alumni Club: a network connecting graduates with each other and with the institution for lifelong professional benefit

Student life

Mediterranean College offers an active student experience beyond the classroom. The Students' Union leads a broad programme of clubs, societies, volunteer opportunities and sporting activities. Students can participate in intercollegiate and recreational sports, community service projects, and a range of cultural and academic events organised throughout the year. Facilities across campuses include libraries with digital and physical resources, IT labs, specialist workshops and laboratories tailored to each school's discipline, and digital learning platforms supporting blended study.

Why Mediterranean College

1. The first Anglophone college in Greece, with nearly 50 years of uninterrupted operation to the standards of UK and US higher education
2. Over 80 programmes across 10 schools, from undergraduate to postgraduate and CPD levels
3. Internationally recognised, UK-awarded degrees that are professionally equivalent to Greek state university degrees and recognised by UK NARIC
4. A multi-layered quality assurance framework including Greek Ministry of Education licensing, BAC accreditation, QAA review and franchise university oversight
5. A primary partnership with the University of Derby, ranked No.1 in Greece across Business, Marketing, Education, Hospitality and Mechanical Engineering
6. A dedicated Employability Scheme backed by an active industry network, supporting students' transition from education to employment
7. Campuses in Athens, Glyfada and Thessaloniki, centrally located and accessible across Greece
8. Comprehensive student welfare services including personal tutoring, counselling, learning support and career services