MSt in English Language Assessment

This programme will provide an understanding of teaching, learning and assessment approaches to enable individuals and organisations to develop, apply and adapt language assessment tools for English. It will provide an open environment for critical approaches to learning and assessment for diverse contexts in the public and private sector in the UK and internationally. The programme will therefore be highly interactive with workshops, case studies, subject experts, and practitioners providing different perspectives on the content and method of assessment practices. 

Educational aims of the programme

The course aim is to produce graduates who:

• have a critical understanding of the different forms of English language assessment as seen through the lens of teaching and learning theories and theories of language assessment;
• are reflective practitioners in terms of subject specialist knowledge and are prepared to consider different assessment methods for English language learners in diverse contexts;
• are equipped with the advanced research skills required to actively contribute to the academic debate on language teaching and assessment, and to engage with intellectual rigor with individuals and organisations working towards the development of a range of assessment methods for individuals in diverse contexts;
• are prepared to critique and evaluate current pedagogical practices in English language teaching and assessment and to conduct systematic research relevant to their professional practice;
• are equipped with the knowledge and skills to design new assessment tools or strategies for learners of English.
   

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• understand and critique the most common language assessment methods for each language skill (speaking, listening, reading, writing);
• reflect upon, communicate, and integrate key notions of linguistic, psychological and computational theories in assessment practices;
• recognise, appreciate, and assess multiple stakeholder perspectives in the implementation of language assessment methods;
• develop and apply advanced research skills;
• develop new assessment methods or tasks suitable for learners of English.

Continuing studies

The MSt is a research degree, and successful completion of the MSt at a high grade may allow students to progress to a PhD either at the University of Cambridge or another institution.

Graduate employability and career destinations

Students will have been in employment prior to entering the course (one of the requirements is for a minimum of one year’s work experience in either the social, public or private sector). Some graduates may therefore choose to pursue (or continue) their employment within their chosen field. Predicted avenues of employment include teaching or teacher education, educational publishing, working for examination boards, assessment agencies, educational institutions, ministries, embassies, bodies such as the British Council, or multi-national companies where expertise in English language assessment is a relevant skill.

Expected academic standard

Applicants are expected to have:

• Achieved at least a 2.i honours degree from a UK University or an equivalent standard from an overseas institution. Applicants with international qualifications can check the equivalence guidelines for your country here.
• Minimum of one year’s work experience in either the social, public or private sector.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

There is provision to accept non-standard applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic criterion. Such applicants must produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience and their suitability for the course.

Language requirement

Language requirement for speakers of English as an additional language:

• IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.5 (a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
• TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 110 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component)
• CAE: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element) plus a Language Centre assessment
• CPE: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 in each individual element)

Fees

The combined graduate fee includes College membership. Students will be expected to cover the application fee and any costs of travel and accommodation during residential sessions in Cambridge.

Home fees:

Year 1 - £7,500

Year 2 - £7,500

Overseas/ EU fees:

Year 1 - £12,500

Year 2 - £12,500

Funding

Information regarding Professional and Career Development Loans can be found here -  Sources of government funding and financial support. 

For information on a loan from Student Finance England for course fees and a contribution towards living costs, please see https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/student-loans

Read the MSt Application Guide to find out more about the application process and what you need to do and consider as a potential applicant. 

Supporting documents

You will be required to provide supporting documents as part of your application:

Undergraduate degree certificates & transcripts 

• A transcript is a list of all the courses you have taken during a programme of study, with the result you obtained, and with the credit value if applicable
• If you have other academic qualifications (i.e. postgraduate qualifications) you have the option to provide these
• All documents should be translated to English if applicable

Language certificate

If applicable, speakers of English as an additional language should provide evidence of their English language proficiency

Sample of work

Applicants should provide a writing sample of between 2,000 and 5,000 words to demonstrate ability to write for a professional, academic or public audience on any topic (topics related to English language assessment or Linguistics are especially encouraged). This might be a news article, professional report, academic paper, internal report, blog post or other form of published or unpublished written communication.

You can submit an existing piece of work or write a new piece. Should you wish to create a new piece of work, you must use the following sample questions:

Please choose one of the 2 essay topics below. Your essay should contain no more than 2,000 words. 

1. Language assessment of the future will be completely online. Discuss.

OR 

2. Since most people read and write predominantly in the form of short messages on social media, we should stop using essays to assess candidates’ reading and writing skills. Discuss.  

Personal Statement

Applicants should provide a personal statement (500 words maximum)

CV or Resume

References

You will need to provide the details of two referees. These should be for either two academic references or one academic and one professional reference.

When are applications considered?

All applications are considered on a gathered field after the closing date. While there is no advantage to submitting your application early, we would recommend you do not leave submission until the last minute to avoid any technical difficulties.

Interviews and offers of a place

All short-listed applicants will be invited to interview with two members of the academic team. Interviews are anticipated to take place mid to late September 2023 and will be held using video conferencing tools such as Zoom. Offers will be sent to successful applicants, following interview, from October 2023.

Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs). Please do read through these and you should find the answers to most questions. However, if you still cannot find what you are looking for then please click on, the ‘ASK A QUESTION’ link at the top right of this page to send the course team a message and we will respond as soon as possible.

Applications

When are the opening and closing dates for applications?

Applications open in December 2022 and close on 21 August 2023.

Late applications will not be considered. We encourage all applications to be submitted as early as possible, to avoid any possible technical difficulties with submission. 

Are any places offered before the application deadline?

No, places will not be offered before the deadline. All applications submitted by the deadline will be considered.

I have question about my application, who should I contact?

For any queries or information about the admissions procedure, making an application or your application - please contact the admissions team (click on the link at the top right on this page)

When will I hear back about my application? 

Candidates who proceed to the second stage of the application process will be interviewed by two Academics. Interviews are likely to take place in mid to late September 2023, with successful candidates being informed from early October 2023. 

What references do I need to include in my application? 

The criterion for acceptance includes letters of recommendation from two referees who can provide academic or professional references. 

Only references officially evidencing the institutional affiliation of an academic referee will be accepted. Professional references should be from a person eligible using, where possible, a professional email address.

If you have been out of education for some time and you are not able to obtain an academic reference, please provide two professional references. 

Eligibility

What are the entry requirements to the course?

Please see the ‘Entry Requirements’ tab above.

I am an International Student - do I have the relevant qualifications to be considered for the course? 

Please check the equivalence guidelines for your country: International qualifications.

I do not meet the academic criteria - can I still apply for the course? 

In addition to those with the standard entry requirement of a 2i or above in their first degree, we welcome applications from students with lower marks in the first degree than the standard requirement. 

(Why) Do I need to do complete a language test? 

Evidence of English language proficiency is a University requirement, and rigorously applied. Even those applicants who may have obtained previous degrees in English may be required to take a language test, as the University’s regulations are time dependent. It is imperative that applicants check in advance, and if necessary, arrange for appropriate testing, as they must comply before taking up any offer of admission. Any English language proficiency test needs to have been completed within the last 3 years. 

The University's main graduate admissions office website has a language calculator, https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international/competence-english which you may find helpful at this stage of the application process. 

The Admissions team will only make a formal assessment of whether or not an applicant will be required to provide additional evidence of their current English language proficiency after they receive an academic decision to accept your application from the department. It is best to check ahead of this in order to give yourself enough time to take a test if required.

Do I need a Visa, and if so, how do I obtain one? 

Please see the information on Visas from the International Student Office at Cambridge here:  https://www.iso.admin.cam.ac.uk/visa-advice-service 

With the change in the rules after Brexit, am I, as a European citizen, considered an overseas, or a UK student? 

The fee status of EU nationals for 2021 entry onwards will be International by default until the UK government announce further details and amendments of the current regulation. EU students should regularly check for updates at: http://www.eu.admin.cam.ac.uk/

Progression and Credits

Can I transfer credits from my current university?

We do not currently accept any transfer of credits from other universities.  

Teaching delivery

Do I need to attend in person? 

This is an in-person course and attendance is compulsory at each of the Residential periods in Cambridge. The programme is delivered via a combination of face-to-face teaching, delivery through a virtual learning environment [VLE] and self-directed learning. You will need to:  

a. Attend, in person, all the Residential periods; and  

b. Be eligible to study in the UK  

Is it mandatory to attend the residentials in-person? 

Yes, it is mandatory for all students to attend the residential teaching sessions. There is no provision to attend these sessions online.

Please see the Teaching & Assessment tab for provisional residential dates.

How will I be assessed? 

Please refer to the Teaching & Assessment tab above.

What happens outside of the residential sessions?

The modules are delivered using a blended learning approach. Outside of the residential teaching, there will be online one-to-one tutorials with the Course Director, online group tutorials, and online one-to-one dissertation supervisions.  You will be expected to engage for at least eight hours per week with online study materials which will include readings, videos, online forum discussions and self-assessment. 

Can I undertake this course whilst working?

Yes. As a part time course, the MSt in English Language Assessment enables learners to maintain personal and professional commitments while also studying.

It is important to consider all aspects of your life before you decide to study on a course, having a clear idea of how you will accommodate studying into your current routine before you apply will enable you to get as much out of the course as possible.

We recognise that studying for a part-time Master’s degree is a serious undertaking, particularly when students are balancing work and family commitments.

College questions

What College will I join?

Students on the MSt in English Language Assessment will become members of either Fitzwilliam or Homerton College. Please do not approach colleges directly regarding membership, the course administration team will do this on your behalf. Further information will be provided should you be offered a place on the MSt.

Do I need to pay College fees?

The course fee includes College membership fees, however there may be small additional fees payable to a College for specific services provided; further information will be provided by your College directly once you have a confirmed place.

Fees and Funding

Are there any scholarships or funding attached to the course?

There is no specific funding attached to this course. Information regarding Professional and Career Development Loans can be found here -  Sources of government funding and financial support. 

For information on a loan from Student Finance England for course fees and a contribution towards living costs, please see https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/student-loans

If you are an international student, you may be eligible for funding via sources in your home country.