Course overview
English is one of the most spoken languages in the world, making it key to effective communication between people in a myriad of social, cultural and economic contexts.
The Master of Applied linguistics course prepares you for these contexts by combining practical and theoretical units in the field. It is designed for language education professionals who intend to teach English as a second or additional language in Australia or overseas.
Career outcomes
- TESOL (EAL/D) teacher
Your student experience

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Course structure
What you’ll learn
In this course, a combination of practical and theoretical units provides a rich learning experience. Your skills in TESOL will be enhanced as you connect global issues with TESOL teaching and evaluate language teaching course design and assessment practices.
Investigating second or additional language acquisition will provide you with a backdrop to language teaching methodologies as will learning about Englishes spoken around the world.
You will also become aware of the role of language in society and acquire the skills you need to conduct your own research project in applied linguistics.
Detailed course structure and unit information
For detailed information and course structure, visit our Handbook.
Entry requirements
An education/teaching degree assessed as being the equivalent of a four-year Australian degree (normally a Bachelor of Education or a four-year combined/double education degree e.g. BSc/BEd)
OR
A bachelor degree of at least three years full-time equivalent and either a Graduate Diploma in Education, Master of Teaching or equivalent, Graduate Certificate in TESOL or CELTA (Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults) or equivalent
OR
A bachelor degree of at least three years full time equivalent and at least two years' full-time documented language teaching experience in the last ten years
OR an honours or master's degree.
To study the Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) at SEAMEO RETRAC, the academic and English language proficiency entry requirements are different to Curtin Perth. This is due to Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) accreditation requirements. For details contact SEAMEO RETRAC macurtin@vnseameo.org.
Course-specific requirements
You’ll also need to meet any specific requirements to be eligible to apply for this course.
Study credit and support
You may be able to receive credit for recognised learning (CRL) from past study or professional experience, which could reduce the time it takes to finish your course.
Find specific details about CRL for this course on the Handbook.
Additional information
Application Requirements
Please refer to our application requirements before applying for this Curtin course.
Notes about this course
Make sure you check the course notes for any other important information.
Fees
2026 Domestic indicative fees
Domestic fee-paying first-year fee
$24,828*
Important information about fees
- *Fees are indicative only
- First year fees are based on a first-year full-time study load of 200 credit points. Your fees will vary depending on the units you choose.
- This indicative fee does not include other fees like administrative and incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks. Visit other fees and charges for more information.
Scholarships
Get the support you need to succeed with our diverse range of scholarships. Whether it’s financial support, assistance with relocation, or recognition for your academic achievements, we have scholarships tailored to your unique needs.
How to apply
Follow these steps to make sure you’re eligible, prepared and ready to apply for your course.
Check entry requirements
Entry requirements differ by course and your previous work and study experience.
Prepare your documents
The documents you need may vary depending on your course and application pathway.
Check application deadlines
Deadlines vary by course and whether you’re applying as a domestic or international student.
Your application pathway
To apply for this course, you’ll apply directly to Curtin via our online applications portal.
Choose your preferred campus to find the application opening and closing dates for this course before you apply.
Select your preferred campus
| Intake | Applications open | Applications close |
|---|---|---|
| Special Study Period 1, 2026 | 4 Aug 2025 | Applications now closed |
| Special Study Period 3, 2026 | 11 May 2026 | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Special Study Period 1, 2027 | 10 Aug 2026 | 11 Feb 2027 |
| Special Study Period 3, 2027 | 10 May 2027 | 12 Aug 2027 |
Location and delivery
Thinking about starting soon? Course availability can vary by location and study period. Check the course handbook for details on when and where you can start your studies.
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