MA Applied Linguistics

The MA Applied Linguistics is a versatile and interdisciplinary programme, which aims to provide you with a solid understanding of the basis of language and linguistics. Delivered by a team of tutors with internationally recognised academic expertise in a range of specialist areas, you will have the option to tailor your studies in either TESOL or English Language, whilst maintaining a broader connection to the discipline of linguistics. You will have the opportunity to build your own bespoke master's degree to reflect your interests in the further study of applied linguistics and create a truly individualised experience. Choose from a range of units that create a bridge between the theory and the practice of language and linguistics, from the practical application of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) to research focussed modules that explore the complex understanding of language in use. Dedicated routes allow you to specialise in either TESOL or English Language. You may also take a range of units without choosing to specialise. The MA Applied Linguistics (TESOL) specialism focuses on professional teaching practice in the English language classroom. Interactive sessions are delivered by industry experts and key researchers, and include lectures and student-centred learning methodologies such as discussions, debates and role-play to stimulate learning and demonstrate modern TESOL practice. With option units dedicated to academic management, assessment, and various approaches to teaching practice, the TESOL specialism will give you a competitive edge in the global jobs market and provides career development for new and experienced teachers alike. The MA Applied Linguistics (English Language) specialism emphasises the application of theories in a social context, aiming to enhance your analytical skills and your insight into the relationship between language, culture and society. You’ll explore different approaches to linguistic study, including how we use language in connection with identity and power. The staff teaching on units for this pathway are actively involved in current research, and they bring this experience to the classroom by using it to inform their teaching, thus ensuring discipline-relevant content is delivered by published experts. You can also opt to take the MA Applied Linguistics without a dedicated specialism, choosing a selection of units to suit your interests. A general route allows you to develop a broad and wide-ranging expertise in the discipline of Applied Linguistics, which will give you the tools to engage in truly intercultural communication and open up a global marketplace of opportunity.

Career prospects

Each unit on our MA Applied Linguistics is designed with professional practice in mind. As such, you will develop and be assessed in both transferable technical and soft skills, which will enhance your employability upon graduation. For example, modules enable you to embed professional and research-informed practice in your assessments, which you are encouraged to apply to the future context of your career. A specific example of this employability focus is in the form of the Final Independent Project students can choose to engage in either a traditional research-focused dissertation or to develop a similar investigation into a specific area of study. These modules encourage direct application of theory and research to the world, including the world of work. Specific examples of direct application include the Discourse Analysis and Corpus Linguistics unit, which focuses on language use in media contexts (i.e. mass media social media), and Language and the Law, which focuses on language used in legal contexts.

The Personal Tutoring system will be embedded into MA Applied Linguistics programme to ensure that you analyse the opportunities available to you, r

You will normally have at least a lower second-class undergraduate UK honours degree (or international equivalent) in TESOL, Linguistics, English Language, English, Education or a related/compatible subject or combination of subjects. Candidates with a lower classification of degree or degrees from unrelated disciplines are, however, encouraged to apply and will be considered on their merits, as will people with non-traditional qualifications.