Teaching & modules

Modules

Course Structure

Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.  

Required Modules

You are required to take the following modules: 

  • Researching Linguistic Diversity (30 credits)
  • Language, Identity & Culture (15 credits)
  • Dissertation Project (60 credits)

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take up to 75 credits from a range of optional modules which may typically include: 

  • Language & Power (30 credits)
  • Language, Culture & Society (15 credits)
  • Language, Discourse & Social Media (15 credits)
  • Sociolinguistics (15 credits)
  • Multilingualism, Migration and Diversity (15 credits)
  • Global Childhoods (30 credits)
  • Psychology & Learning (30 credits)
  • English for Academic Purposes (15 credits)
  • Language Assessment (15 credits)
  • Materials Development in English Language Teaching (15 credits)
  • Digital ELT (15 credits)
  • Teacher Education (15 credits)
  • Teaching and Learning Pragmatics (15 credits)
  • Second/Additional Language Acquisition (15 credits)

In addition, you have the option of taking a language module (15 credits) at the King’s Language Centre that could count towards your degree.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Part-time students take one of the two “required” modules in year one, and sufficient optional modules to take their total credits for the year to 90. In year two, the remaining required modules are taken, plus the dissertation and sufficient optional modules to take their total to 180 credits.

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures
Seminars

We teach our modules through lectures, teacher-led class discussions and student-led group discussions.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work, and an indicative split of how this work is divided is below. Taught modules will usually be 15 or 30 credits:

 

Lectures, seminars and feedback

Self-study

Per 15 credit module

Typically 20 hours of class time. These sessions include lecturing, teacher-led class discussions and student-led group discussions around core readings in the field. The number of contact hours for each optional module varies.

Typically 130 hours.

Academic writing workshops

2 in the Autumn term

Typically 10 hours.

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations.  Forms of assessment may typically include essays, exams, and oral presentations. The dissertation is assessed by an extended piece of writing. 

Assessment

  • Course Work
  • Written examinations
  • Essays
  • Oral Presentations

Application closing date guidance

Key Information

Course type:

Master's

Delivery mode:

In person

Study mode:

Full time / Part time

Duration:

One year full-time, September to September or two years part-time.

Application status:

Open

Start date:

September 2026