Language Studies

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What makes the MA in Language Studies programme unique is the flexibility of its structure and the range of taught modules on offer. You will follow one core module, Research Methods in Linguistics and English Language, which offers an overview of how to go about studying and researching language. You are then free to choose any five of the other modules on offer in the Department and write your dissertation in any area. There are no restrictions on your choices, but you will be encouraged to put together a coherent programme of courses.

The individual modules on this programme are updated from year to year and are taught by leading figures such as Paul Kerswill (sociolinguistics), Mark Sebba (bilingualism), Elena Semino (stylistics) and Ruth Wodak (critical discourse analysis).

Aims * To identify issues suitable for linguistic and applied linguistic research, and familiarise students with key work in the area.
* To demonstrate key concepts and findings in a range of linguistic disciplines.
* To develop methodological and analytical expertise in linguistics or applied linguistic procedures.
* To promote critical thinking in all of the above. (Note: The term applied linguistics is here understood in the broad sense of linguistic theories and frameworks being applied to a wide range of data and contexts.)

You will follow one core module - Research Methods in Linguistics and English Language - which offers an overview of how to go about studying and researching language. You are then free to choose any five of the other modules on offer in the Department and write your dissertation in any area. However, it is possible to select modules to specialise in one of the following areas:

* Corpus Linguistics
* Literacy Studies
* Sociolinguistics
* Stylistics
* Theoretical and Descriptive Linguistics

There are no restrictions on your choices, but you will be encouraged to put together a coherent programme of courses. Such a programme can be designed in consultation with your Director of Studies at the beginning of your studies. The MA in Language Studies can be taken full-time, but there is also a part-time study possibility if you can come to the university for one full term (or more) in each of two successive years. Under this kind of arrangement, you can take half of your modules in the first term of the first year, and the other half in the second term of the second year. You will then write up your dissertation by the end of the second year.

* Academic: upper-second class degree or higher * English language level (for applicants whose native language is not English): minimum IELTS 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in Reading and Writing) / paper-based TOEFL 580 / CBT 237 / or equivalent English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B) IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.