Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Course resolutions
The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes).
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2024, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Integrity Policy 2022 and the Academic Integrity Procedures 2022. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies
1 Course codes
| Code | Course title |
|---|---|
| GCTESOLT-01 | Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages |
| GNTESOLT-01 | Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages |
| MATESOLT-01 | Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages |
2 Attendance pattern
The attendance pattern for these courses is full time or part time according to candidate choice.
3 Master's type
The master's degree in these resolutions is a professional master's course, as defined by the Coursework Policy.
4 Embedded courses in this sequence
(1) The embedded courses in this sequence are:
(a) Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(b) Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(c) Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(2) Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence. Only the longest award completed will be conferred.
5 Admission to candidature
(1) Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria. In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the Faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
(2) Admission to candidature for the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages requires:
(a) a bachelor degree or higher in a cognate discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification, AND professional experience equivalent to one year full-time in English language teaching; OR
(b) a bachelor honours degree or postgraduate qualification in a non-cognate discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification, AND professional experience equivalent to one year full-time in English language teaching; OR
(c) a bachelor degree in a non-cognate discipline from the University of Sydney or an equivalent qualification, AND professional experience equivalent to two years full-time in English language teaching
(3) Admission to candidature for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages requires:
(a) a bachelor degree or higher in a cognate discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification, AND professional experience equivalent to one year full-time in English language teaching; OR
(b) a bachelor honours degree or postgraduate qualification in a non-cognate discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification, AND professional experience equivalent to one year full-time in English language teaching; OR
(c) completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, or an equivalent qualification.
(4) Admission to candidature for the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages requires:
(a) a bachelor degree or higher in a cognate discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification, AND professional experience equivalent to one year full-time in English language teaching; OR
(b) a bachelor honours degree or postgraduate qualification in a non-cognate discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification, AND professional experience equivalent to one year full-time in English language teaching; OR
(c) completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, or an equivalent qualification.
6 Requirements for award
(1) The units of study that may be taken for these courses are set out in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Tables of Units of Study.
(2) To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages a candidate must complete 24 credit points of units of study including
(a) 12 credit points from the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages core units of study; AND
(b) 12 credit points of selective units of study.
(4) To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages a candidate must complete 48 credit points of units of study set out in the Graduate Diploma of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Table of Units of Study including:
(a) 24 credit points of core units of study; AND
(b) a minimum of 18 credit points of selective units of study; AND
(c) optionally, a maximum of 6 credit points of elective units of study.
(5) To qualify for the award of the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages a candidate must complete 72 credit points of units of study including:
(a) 24 credit points of core units of study; AND
(b) a minimum of 30 and maximum of 36 credit points of selective units of study; AND
(c) a minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 credit points of capstone units of study; AND
(d) optionally, a maximum of 12 credit points of elective units of study listed.
7 Recognition of prior learning
(1) Waivers and credit may be granted or the volume of learning may be reduced in recognition of prior learning.
(2) Credit may be granted for up to 24 credit points for relevant incomplete postgraduate qualifications.
(3) Candidates offered direct admission to the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages may be eligible for a reduction in the volume of learning of up to 24 credit points, subject to the following:
(a) completion of a bachelor honours degree or higher in a cognate discipline.
(4) The maximum combined credit and reduction in the volume of learning for prior study granted to a
candidate will not exceed 24 credit points.
(5) When granting a reduced volume of learning, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences may specify particular units of study against which the reduction is to be applied.
8 Course transfer
A candidate for the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages or the Graduate Diploma of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this embedded sequence, provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met.
9 Commencement date of these resolutions
(1) These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2026.
