Linguistics

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The School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures embeds in one coherent unit expertise in languages spanning the globe, from the most widely spoken global languages to those which are endangered. The Schools carries out world-class research and provides excellent teaching in languages against their cultural and historical backgrounds and in interdisciplinary transnational studies, predicated on a thorough understanding of specific linguistic contexts.

Course aims

The course aims to give students a grounding in breadth and depth in Linguistics, by exploring the central features of linguistic theory: its history, objectives, principal theoretical frameworks, methodologies, contested areas and uncontested results. Students will gain experience of excellence in teaching and learning at an advanced level, in an environment where they will benefit from the fact that the School is also home to world-leading research in Linguistics.

The MA in Linguistics consists of the following elements:

* compulsory core course units in Introduction to Grammatical Theory (15 credits), Phonetics and Phonology (15 credits), and Research Methods I and II (2 x 15 credits)
* optional course units (60 credits altogether)
* a dissertation (60 credits).

Alternatives to the compulsory course units in Introduction to Grammatical Theory and/or Phonetics and Phonology may be chosen if students can provide evidence of having covered comparable material in their undergraduate degree.

The optional course units may be selected following specialised pathways, which include Sociolinguistics, the Linguistics of English, Phonetics and Phonology, Syntax and Semantics, Typology, and Romani Linguistics. One or two course units may take the form of Directed Reading units, available after consultation with an appropriated member of staff and the Programme Director. One or two course units may also be taken from a list of MA course units available in other subject areas within the School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures, or as adapted Level-3 undergraduate course units in Linguistics and English Language, which supplement the course units on offer at MA level.

Teaching and learning

Teaching takes on a variety of forms. Core course units are normally taught as seminars, in a small group, combining lectures with discussion. Most other course units are taught as tutorials or seminars, often with optional attendance of a selection of lectures that are relevant to the topic. This gives the opportunity for intensive scholarly work, with areas on concentration determined by the participants and their individual interests, which can be investigated in considerable depth.

Progression and assessment

Course units will be assessed at the end of the semester during which they are offered. All taught course-units except Introduction to Grammatical Theory and Phonetics and Phonology are assessed by examined coursework.

Academic entry qualification overview: An Upper Second Class Honours degree, or the overseas equivalent, in linguistics or a related subject.English language: Students whose first language is not English must submit either: * an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher overall, with a score of 7.0 in the writing component * a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (internet-based test) or higher overall, with a score of 5.5 in the TWE component (or 25 in the writing component for internet-based test) * a Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 70 or higher overall, with a score of 70 in the writing component.NB: All students must provide evidence of having achieved a minimum of an overall IELTS score of 6.0; an overall TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test) or 80 (internet-based test); or an overall PTE score of 55.Applications will not be considered complete without a copy of one of the above.Other international entry requirements: We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 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. 60 (Grade C) TOEFL paper-based test score : 600 TOEFL iBT® test: 100 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.

British and EU students intending to take an MA programme in the School are eligible to apply for support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). AHRC and ESRC grants are competitive and provide payment of tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for UK students, and tuition fees (and a maintenance stipend, subject to eligibility criteria) for EU students. Please see the School website for further details.