Important application information
This course is only available to ESRC applicants applying for a 4.5 (Master’s plus PhD) funded route.
We are unable to accept applications from independent candidates.
Overview
Join us for this Sociolinguistics Master’s course. You’ll examine:
- tensions between different conceptions of language
- the issues surrounding research methodology in linguistics
- sociolinguistics
- the sociology of language
This course is designed to prepare you for doctoral study. The course combines a mixture of generic research training modules with more specialised modules covering research training and specific linguistic knowledge.
Although your focus will be on your specialist study, our aim is for you to develop a broad range of research and project management skills that will support you in your career ahead. We have nurtured a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary and supportive environment where staff and students from across the world can come together and share their research experiences.
We offer supervision in the following areas:
Linguistic theory
This includes:
- syntactic theory and comparative syntax
- phonological theory
- morphophonology and morphosyntax
- philosophy of language
- philosophy of linguistics
- architecture of the language faculty
Language variation and change
This includes:
- historical/diachronic linguistics
- variationist/comparative linguistics
- sociolinguistics
- grammaticalization
- dialect syntax
- corpus analysis
- linguistic typology
Language evolution, acquisition, and development
This includes:
- first language acquisition and development
- the acquisition of second language morphosyntax and phonology
- evolutionary linguistics
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.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MA – Master of Arts
An MA is a taught Master’s degree. It usually involves the study of social sciences, art and humanities, and business, consulting and management. It typically includes:
- subject-specific taught modules
- a dissertation or research project of approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words
You’ll usually study an MA full-time over 12 months.
A Master of Arts is awarded for the successful completion of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60 credit dissertation or research project.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.
PGDip – Postgraduate Diploma
A PGDip is awarded if you successfully complete all of the taught modules (120 credits).
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
What you’ll learn
You’ll gain a working knowledge of the methodology and skills in quantitative and qualitative research in language and linguistic studies.
As part of this Sociolinguistics MA, you’ll carry out a literature review and independent fieldwork. You’ll undertake sociolinguistic analysis using a variety of mathematical and computational tools.
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.
Sociolinguistics (Research) MA modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Information Skills | 10 |
| Quantitative Analysis | 20 |
| The Making and Unmaking of Knowledge | 10 |
| Language and Society | 20 |
| The Social History of English | 20 |
| Research Methods in Language and Linguistics | 20 |
| MA Sociolinguistics Dissertation | 60 |
| Metropolitan Sociolinguistics | 20 |
How you’ll learn
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Oral presentation
- Practical lab report
- Report
- 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 development
Research skills
You have a unique opportunity to acquire a wide range of methodologies and exposure to diverse theoretical perspectives to enrich your own research. We have a wide range of research supervisors you can work with.
We offer subject-specific research training, including specialised practical workshops on statistical packages and software used in corpus linguistic methodologies. This specific training complements the research training programme you will be part of as a postgraduate research student.
Student work-in-progress meetings
Our ‘student work in progress’ meetings give you the opportunity to present your work to a student audience. You’ll get instant feedback and discussions around your research.
Special interests group
Our special interests 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 topics like:
- language variation and change
- theoretical phonology
- corpus linguistics
- syntax
- language and cognition
Guest lectures
Internationally renowned linguistic researchers have previously given guest lectures, recent speakers include:
- Professor Alex D’Arcy, University of Victoria
- Professor Sali Tagliamonte, University of Toronto
- Professor Jenny Culbertson, University of Edinburgh
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 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 (with or without another subject, eg English and French)
- a discipline primarily involving the scientific study of human cognition or behaviour (eg cognitive science, psychology, anthropology, sociology)
