MA in Linguistics

at University of Manchester

Course unit details

You will undertake units totalling 180 credits. Mandatory, core and optional units combine to make 120 credits, with the remaining 60 credits allocated to the dissertation.
 

This MA consists of the following elements:

• mandatory core course units - Research Methods (15 credits); Introduction to Grammatical Theory (15 credits), Phonetics and Phonology (15 credits),
• and  at least  two of the following core course units: Semantics and Pragmatics (15 credits), Psycholinguistics (15 credits) and The Sociolinguistics of English (15 credits).
• optional course units (45 credits altogether);
• dissertation (60 credits).
   

Subject to Programme Director approval at the beginning of the academic year, it might be possible to waive some of the mandatory course unit requirements and replace them with optional units, if you can provide evidence of relevant previous knowledge and competencies. In borderline cases, you may be asked to take a proficiency test in Welcome Week.
 

One or two optional course units may be taken from a list of enhanced Level 3 undergraduate course units in Linguistics and English Language, which supplement the MA-specific course units on offer or from a list of MA course units available in other related subject areas. Some optional course units may take the form of Directed Reading units, which are individual or small group seminars about set readings on a particular topic. These are available after consultation with an appropriate member of staff and the Programme Director. Please note that individual optional units that are part of our programme may not be available in any given year.
 

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
 

Title

• Research Methods (Linguistics)
• Psycholinguistics
• Semantics and Pragmatics
• Dissertation
• Introduction to Grammatical Theory
• Phonetics and Phonology I
• The Sociolinguistics of English
• Attitudes to language in the English-speaking world
• Psycholinguistics
• Experimental Phonetics

Academic entry qualification overview

• We normally expect students to have a First or Upper Second class honours degree or its overseas equivalent, typically in a subject relevant to Linguistics or in Linguistics. 
• If your previous undergraduate experience is unrelated to Linguistics, the application form includes a personal statement section in which you can demonstrate your knowledge of and interest in the subject.
   

English language

• An overall grade of IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in writing and no skill below 6.5 is required or 100+ in the TOEFL iBT with a minimum writing score of 25 and no skill below 22.

• MA (full-time)
  
  UK students (per annum): £10,500
  
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,000

• Studying Linguistics will equip you with a range of sought-after transferable skills, including written and oral communication skills, computing skills, intercultural awareness and research methods.
• This course will also develop skills that will be useful in undertaking postgraduate research.
• Career destinations for our graduates include language teaching, language policy, speech and language therapy, publishing and communications.