Course Overview

About This Course

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. Incredibly flexible, this graduate certificate allows you to study online, in the classroom, or a combination of both. You can only start in the Spring session if you're studying part-time. Fee subsidised places available 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.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Sydney

Tower 1 'Darling Park, Level 2, 201 Sussex St, Sydney, NSW 2000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Wollongong (On Campus): $9938 (2026) total course fee

Intakes

Autumn 2026 | Spring 2026

Study Mode

On Campus

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students

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 Extension (TESOL) if they are interested in further study, with credit for all of the subjects (24 credit points) completed in the Graduate Certificate.

Work and life experience:

Admission to UOW is primarily based on your academic qualifications, with work or life experience generally not considered. If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, we recommend exploring recognised pathway programs, such as those offered by UOW College or the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC).
For more information, please refer to the UOW Admissions Information page.

Compulsory Work Based Placement:

This course includes a total of 30 hours of compulsory work-based placements, completed over 13 weeks.

Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications:

UOW recognises a range of overseas higher education qualifications. Your qualifications will be assessed for equivalence to Australian qualifications and the admission requirements for this course. Documents issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation.
For more information, contact the UOW Future Students Team.

English language proficiency:

All UOW courses are taught in English and require varying levels of proficiency. If English is not your first language, you must meet the University’s English Language Requirements, which differ by course.
Accepted international test results include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, and OET for specific health-related courses.
Alternatively, you can fulfill the requirement by completing an English course at UOW College.

International Students

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.

English Language Requirements:

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

IELTS Academic:

Overall Score 6.5, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Listening 6.0, Speaking 6.0

TOEFL (Internet-based):

Overall Score 86, Reading 18, Writing 18, Listening 17, Speaking 17

Compulsory Work Based Placement:

This course includes a total of 30 hours of compulsory work-based placements, completed over 13 weeks.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

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.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

AITSL (for teaching pathway) / NEAS (for ELICOS)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

AITSL / VETASSESS

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units8 units

EDGT985

English in Specific Contexts

Elective — 6 credit points

EDGT976

Text and Context

Elective — 6 credit points

EDGT983

Assessing and Evaluating in TESOL Environments

Elective — 6 credit points

EDGT934

English Pronunciation and Prosody

Elective — 6 credit points

EDGT931

Oral Communication Pedagogy for Adult and Young Language Learners

Elective — 6 credit points

EDGT917

Pedagogical Grammar

Core — 6 credit points

EDGT938

Professional Experience in TESOL

Core — 6 credit points

EDGT939

TESOL Theory and Innovative Pedagogy

Core — 6 credit points

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I progress to a master's degree after completing the Graduate Certificate in TESOL?

Yes. 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.

Is there a work placement component in this course?

Yes, this course includes a total of 30 hours of compulsory work-based placements, completed over 13 weeks. You will undertake a supervised professional experience placement in an ESL classroom.

Are fee-subsidised places available for domestic students?

Yes. In 2026, domestic students may be eligible for either a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a UOW-subsidised fee reduction of up to 75% off the full-fee paying amount. The indicative full course fee for 2026 is $9,938.

Is the Graduate Certificate in TESOL accredited by any professional body?

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

When can I start the Graduate Certificate in TESOL and are there any restrictions for part-time students?

The course starts in both Autumn and Spring sessions. However, you can only start in the Spring session if you're studying part-time. For 2026, the Autumn session starts on 2 March 2026 and the Spring session starts on 27 July 2026.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $72,000 to $90,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $90,000 to $105,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $105,000 to $125,000 per year

Career Paths

Early Childhood TeacherPrimary School TeacherSecondary School TeacherSpecial Education TeacherTeacher Librarian

Key Skills

Lesson planning and curriculum design aligned to the Australian CurriculumDifferentiated instruction to meet diverse learner needsClassroom management and positive behaviour supportFormative and summative assessment design and analysisInclusive education practices for students with disabilities and additional needs

Full Course Overview

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Graduate Certificate in TESOL

About This Course

Available Locations

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Entry Requirements

Domestic Students

International Students

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

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