Overview
This Master’s in Linguistics is characterised by its flexibility. It equips you with the research skills necessary for independent study in linguistics.
The common subjects the course covers include:
- theoretical and general linguistics
- descriptive linguistics
- applied linguistics
- combinations of these specialisms
The course has two specialist pathways leading to different awards:
- MA Linguistics: English Language
- MA Linguistics: Language Acquisition
The pathways allow you to focus on your area of particular interest. This could range from:
- lexical innovation
- sociolinguistics
- computational linguistics
- child language acquisition
- psycholinguistics
By the end of this Linguistics Master’s, you’ll understand and be able to engage with ideas at the forefront of linguistic research. You’ll address linguistic questions and problems currently being debated.
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
Whichever pathway you choose, you gain:
- research skills necessary for independent study in linguistics and English language
- the skills to critically engage with current work in the subject area
- confidence to address linguistic questions and participate in current theoretical debates
- advanced knowledge of a range of issues in the subject area
- mastery of the methods and skills required to obtain and interpret relevant research data
All pathways involve selecting modules covering the two central linguistic disciplines of phonology and syntax.
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.
English Language Taught Pathway modules
Compulsory modules
- Research Methods in Language and Linguistics (20 credits)
- MA Linguistics Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional modules
You’ll take one of the following 20 credit modules/module combinations:
- Generative Syntax (20 credits)
- Issues in Phonological Theory 1 (20 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Phonology (20 credits)
- Melody in Language (20 credits)
- Issues in Pragmatic Theory (20 credits)
You’ll take 40 credits from the following modules:
- Language and Society (20 credits)
- The Social History of English (20 credits)
- Metropolitan Sociolinguistics (20 credits)
- English Historical Semantics (20 credits)
You must also take 40 credits from the following list of additional modules:
- Origins and Evolution of Language (20 credits)
- Generative Syntax (20 credits)
- Issues in Phonological Theory I (20 credits)
- Language and Society (20 credits)
- The Social History of English (20 credits)
- Topics in Multilingualism (20 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Second Language Acquisition (20 credits)
- Melody in Language (20 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Phonology (20 credits)
- Topics on Developmental Language Research (20 credits)
- English Historical Semantics (20 credits)
- Foundations in Second Language Acquisition (20 credits)
- Issues in Pragmatic Theory (20 credits)
With the DPD’s permission, students can take relevant postgraduate modules, up to a maximum of 40 credits, offered by other Schools. Students must seek permission from the other School prior to registering on the module. Students are expected to select modules having a credit value of not less than 50 and more than 70 in any one semester.
Language Acquisition Taught Pathway modules
Compulsory modules
- Research Methods in Language and Linguistics (20 credits)
- MA Linguistics Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional modules
You’ll take one of the following 20 credit modules/module combinations:
- Generative Syntax (20 credits)
- Issues in Phonological Theory 1 (20 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Phonology (20 credits)
- Melody in Language (20 credits)
- Issues in Pragmatic Theory (20 credits)
You will take 40 credits from the following modules
- Origins and Evolution of Language (20 credits)
- Topics in Multilingualism (20 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Second Language Acquisition (20 credits)
- Learning and Learnability (20 credits)
- Topics on Developmental Language Research (20 credits)
- Foundations in Second Language Acquisition (20 credits)
You must also take 40 credits from the following list of additional modules:
- Origins and Evolution of Language (20 credits)
- Generative Syntax (20 credits)
- Issues in Phonological Theory I (20 credits)
- Language and Society (20 credits)
- The Social History of English (20 credits)
- Topics in Multilingualism (20 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Second Language Acquisition (20 credits)
- Melody in Language (20 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Phonology (20 credits)
- Topics on Developmental Language Research (20 credits)
- English Historical Semantics (20 credits)
- Foundations in Second Language Acquisition (20 credits)
- Issues in Pragmatic Theory (20 credits)
With the DPD’s permission, students can take relevant postgraduate modules, up to a maximum of 40 credits, offered by other Schools. Students must seek permission from the other School prior to registering on the module. Students are expected to select modules having a credit value of not less than 50 and more than 70 in any one semester.
Language Acquisition Research Pathway modules
Compulsory modules
- Information Skills (10 credits)
- Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (20 credits)
- The Making and Unmaking of Knowledge (10 credits)
- Language and Society (20 credits)
- Research Methods in Language and Linguistics (20 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Child Language Acquisition (20 credits)
- Learning and Learnability (20 credits)
- MA Linguistics Dissertation (60 credits)
How you’ll learn
Core teaching on this Linguistics MA will be through:
- interactive lectures
- seminars
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- Practical lab report
- Poster
- Research paper
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your future
Careers
The Linguistics MA equips students with the skills required for a wide range of careers, in areas such as:
- education
- information technology
- lexicography
- language planning
- media and journalism
- publishing
- speech and language therapy
- translation and interpretation
- advertising, branding and marketing
- heritage management
- management and research
Further study
Our MA in Linguistics programme provides an excellent foundation for doctoral research.
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 2024
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 international equivalent, in:
- linguistics
- a language (studied on its own or with another subject)
- a discipline primarily involving the scientific study of human cognition or behaviour (eg cognitive science, psychology, anthropology, sociology)
We will also consider your application on an individual basis if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and at least two years relevant professional experience.
