Overview
Our research Master’s in English Language and/or Linguistics is largely based on your own research interests. We’ll prepare you for further research within and beyond academia. You’ll be fully supported by experts situated in one of the largest centres for linguistics research in Europe.
The individually tailored course contains some taught modules. It mostly consists of smaller, independently conducted research assignments and a larger research dissertation at the end. The topics are chosen by you, in consultation with your supervisor.
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics is split across three Schools:
- School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
- School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics
- School of Modern Languages
We offer supervision in the following areas:
Linguistic theory
- phonetics and phonology
- (morpho)syntax
- pragmatics
- the lexicon
- cross-linguistic variation
- the architecture of the language faculty
- language’s place in human cognition
- the philosophy of linguistics
Language variation and change
- dialectology
- (variationist) sociolinguistics
- the sociology of language
- English historical linguistics
- corpus creation (e.g. the Diachronic Electronic Corpus of Tyneside English)
Language evolution, acquisition, and development
- typical and atypical child (L1) and adult (L2) language acquisition
- cognitive science
- information theory
- psycholinguistics
Our supervisors’ current research interests, projects and publications are available from our staff profiles in each of these Schools.
Research centres and institutesÂ
Our links with research centres and institutes provide opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary seminars and interest groups. Our most important connections are with:Â
- Centre for Research in Learning and Teaching
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution
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Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
Taught modules aim to extend your knowledge and skills beyond undergraduate level and help to develop your research skills.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
How you’ll learn
Your study will typically consist mainly of:
- seminars
- tutorials
- independent learning supported by research training
The English Language and/or Linguistics MLitt course is made up of 180 credits:
- 20 credits for research training modules
- 80 credits for a 16-24,000-word dissertation, which is written in the spring/summer for full-time students or in the second year for part-time students
- the remaining 80 credits are chosen by you and your supervisors to suit your needs and preferences
You may also take part in lectures and seminars (not the assessments) for approved taught undergraduate and postgraduate modules. Or you may choose to study modules from the Linguistics MA. The taught modules and research assignments will prepare you for your dissertation. You also have the flexibility to choose one assignment unrelated to the main focus of your studies.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Oral presentation
- Practical lab report
- Research proposal
- Written exercise
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Your development
Research groups
Our research groups also facilitate researchers with common interests to share ideas, develop new skills and gain feedback on their work. The groups meet regularly and include:Â
- Language & Cognition Research Group
- Sociolinguistics Discussion Group
- Romance Linguistics Circle
- North East Syntax Seminar
- Phonetics and Phonology Research Group
In addition to these formal groups, there are a number of informal research clubs that meet on an ad hoc basis.Â
Newcastle seminar series in linguistics
Throughout each semester we host a regular seminar series where internationally renowned linguistic researchers give presentations on their recent research.
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 150 for Linguistics – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is a lively and diverse community. We have over 700 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates.
We are based in the Percy Building. Our purpose-built postgraduate suite has dedicated computer clusters, meeting rooms, a kitchen and a lounge.
Linguistics researchers also have access to the LingLab. This space provides access to linguistics and experimental software, such as:
- CHILDES
- ELAN and CLAN
- Praat
- SONA
- LabVanced
- Gorilla
- ShinyApps
There is also a range of specialised equipment available for loan or use, including professional-quality recording equipment:
- a portable eye tracker
- a portable ultrasound machine
- a portable electroglottograph
- ultrasound tongue imaging
- multiple sound booths
- iPads
Finally, the lab also has access to several linguistic corpora, including:
- DECTE
- Transana
- ICE-GB Corpus of English
- ICE-GB Great Britain Sound Files
- BYU Corpora
We have two postgraduate research student study rooms. The larger room was recently upgraded with more workstations and a soft seating area. We have a Resource Centre and two on-site clinics:
The School also houses the Language Resource Centre. It has an extensive range of language learning facilities and resources, including:
- access to 24 satellite television channels from around the world
- listen and record facilities for speaking practice
- interactive language learning software
- an international film collection of over 800 titles
The award-winning Philip Robinson Library has an extensive audio-visual collection.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree or above, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject. Â
We especially encourage applications from students who feel they may face specific barriers in accessing higher education or who belong to groups who are under-represented in UK Higher Education. These include, but are not limited to, first-generation students, applicants from minoritised ethnic groups, applicants returning to full-time education after a break, applicants with caring responsibilities, or applicants with disabilities. The School is committed to supporting you. If you would like to discuss how we can do so, please contact pg.english@ncl.ac.uk
