Send me a PDF copyHighlights
- Prepares you for a professional career in English language teaching.
- Develop excellent knowledge and practical skills to teach English to speakers of other languages.
- Provides increased understanding of the language issues facing many migrant children or international students.
- Learn today, use tomorrow with our real-world courses.
- You can choose to specialise in this area or choose option units across a range of topics.
Highlights
- Prepares you for a professional career in English language teaching.
- Develop excellent knowledge and practical skills to teach English to speakers of other languages.
- Provides increased understanding of the language issues facing many migrant children or international students.
- Learn today, use tomorrow with our real-world courses.
- You can choose to specialise in this area or choose option units across a range of topics.
- Flexible delivery with online, part-time study.
Why choose this course?
The Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL) can provide you with qualifications to seek new employment in second language education in Queensland, Australia, or overseas.
It will equip you with understandings of second language acquisition and the ability to implement innovative learning and teaching approaches.
Be inspired by postgraduate students putting their learnings into action. Read their stories on our Education insights blog.
Subsidised fees available
This course is one of many Commonwealth Supported Places QUT have secured to make postgraduate study more affordable and accessible. Make an even bigger difference by studying a course that is in tune with your classroom and career.
Find out more here
Learn from the best
The QUT course has an established reputation as the qualification of choice for teachers seeking face-to-face and online experiences. You will learn from experts who are leaders in their particular areas of second language education. The Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL) is backed by evidence-based research in areas including:
- second language pedagogy
- second language assessment
- school-based teaching and learning
- the links between migration and education
- the social implications of second language use.
You’ll gain practical skills in:
- second language needs analyses
- second language task design and assessment
- teaching second language listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary.
The Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL) is designed to be responsive to practitioners in schools, universities and community education who are seeking knowledge, understandings and skills in second language education. You’ll be able to recognise and address the needs of their students who are using English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D).
Flexible delivery
The Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL) is delivered online and can be completed in part-time study mode. This major is not available to international students on Australian government international student visas. If you hold a different visa which allows you to study, you may be able to undertake flexible study.
International students studying on a student visa may only study full time. If that's you, you will need to refer to Graduate Certificate in Education - Choice of Units to create a full-time course structure.
Flexible delivery
You may study this course part time. If you choose a selection of option units you can choose to study full-time or part-time.
You can study on campus, online or select a blended approach to suit you. QUT provides a variety of online learning environments to enable you to participate fully, receive expert guidance and support, and be in regular contact with expert teaching staff.
Careers and outcomes
The Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL) is recognised in the school and higher education sectors in Australia and overseas. It is also recognised in the ELICOS language education and TAFE sectors in Australia. This provides you with a portable qualification, whether you are seeking new career opportunities or seeking advancement in your existing workplace.
Professional recognition
The Graduate Certificate in Education does not lead to teacher's registration. Please refer to the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood), Master of Teaching (Primary) or the Master of Teaching (Secondary) if you are seeking teacher registration.
Course articulation
You have the option to keep learning and build towards a Master of Education.
Course articulation
You have the option to further your studies with a Master of Education. In the Master of Education you can choose to continue online study or consider face-to-face studies at our Kelvin Grove campus.
Possible careers
- TESOL teacher
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2026 fees
2026: CSP $2,400 per year part-time (48 credit points)
2026 fees
2026: $18,900 per year part-time (48 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: CSP $2,400 per year full-time (48 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: $17,400 per year part-time (48 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
International Merit Scholarship
A high achievement scholarship for future international undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
International Talent Scholarship
A new scholarship for 2026 that covers tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance