Gain a thorough foundation and background in modern linguistics
Year of entry: 2024 (September)
Show year of entry: 2023
1 year full-time,
2 years part-time
September 2024 (semester dates)
Join us online or in person to find out more about postgraduate study at York.
Upcoming eventsLinguistics is the scientific study of language.
The MA in Linguistics at York offers a route into linguistic study for those who want to apply and develop their critical analysis and learning skills from other subjects to questions that are central to the study of language. You will engage with both theoretical and empirical approaches, and develop the tools to investigate linguistic questions as a researcher in your own right. Such questions include:
Studying phonetics allows me to appreciate the fine details of human speech: the rhythms, intonations, sudden stops and breathy starts. It trains your ear to identify sounds you’ve always heard, yet never really heard before. It equips you with the skills to transcribe these sounds and share them with others. Believe me: after taking phonetics, you'll never view conversation in the same way again.Daniel, MA LinguisticsRead more on what our students say about us.
Our programme takes you on an exciting journey of discovery that begins with intensive training in both the core theoretical issues and the practical data analysis techniques of phonetics and phonology, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistics.
You then choose specialist modules within up to two of these areas, through which you deepen your subject knowledge while also developing your abilities in analysing data, evaluating evidence and the quality of arguments, and articulating your own conclusions. Finally, you design and conduct your own independent linguistic research project for your dissertation.
A research training seminar supports you on your path towards the dissertation, during which you advance your transferable skills in critical reading, research question formulation, research ethics, and presentation to an audience, as well as developing specialist skills in writing in linguistics and the use of digital tools for linguistic research.
You will choose one option module in Semester 1, from:
You will choose two option modules in Semester 2, from:
The full list of options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. For further information please get in touch.
If you have covered substantial parts of the taught MA programme in your undergraduate degree, please talk to us about whether our MSc Linguistics programme would be more suitable for you.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
You'll prepare and write a research dissertation over Semester 2 and the vacation. This will be supervised by a member of staff. You'll submit your dissertation in September.
Topics have ranged from:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £10,590 | £23,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£5,555 | £12,540 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2024/25 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
Find out more about funding specific to Language and Linguistic Science.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll be taught with a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and practical training. You'll have approximately three contact hours a week for each module. For some modules you’ll complete collaborative group work outside your classes. You’ll be set essential reading, and will complete weekly assigned exercises.
A Research Training module runs in Semester 2, to support your development in academic skills as a linguist in preparation for the dissertation.
All modules, including the Research Training module, offer developmental assessments that do not contribute to your final mark. These provide a chance to practice your skills and gain useful feedback on your progress and understanding, before you take the final assessments. A member of the teaching staff will act as your supervisor throughout the degree, to help guide your studies and monitor progress.
All of our modules have Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) websites where all crucial materials—reading lists, handouts, discussion boards—are accessible.
We have our own departmental e-Lab for the teaching and study time of our students. Here you will have access to a variety of resources, including specialist linguistics software, corpora of different varieties, and online language-learning materials.
You will be based in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science on Campus West. Some of your contact hours will be in or close to Vanbrugh College, and all of your teaching will be on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
A range of assessments formats are used, including exercises, essays, and exams. You'll produce 5,000-word essays for your option modules.
For the Research Training module you'll take one examination, and write a methodological critique of a linguistics research paper. Finally, you will also complete a research dissertation of up to 12,000 words. You'll also complete exercises and assignments which do not contribute to your final grade that will give you useful feedback on your progression.
The support from the staff, especially those lecturers who I have had contact with, has been excellent. I have always been welcomed into their offices to talk about both academic and personal aspects. During the masters degree, I constantly asked myself a question: and now? what's next? Staff in the department have given me excellent advice and encouraged me to trust myself.Eloi, MA LinguisticsRead more on what our students say about us.
On successful completion of the MA in Linguistics programme, you will have gained a solid and detailed grounding in your new field of study, along with the practical and technical skills to carry out original research in this field, guided by some of the world’s foremost experts.
You will develop your confidence and critical skills, equipping you to exercise independent learning in your future career. Our MA provides excellent training for doctoral research. Graduates are also well-equipped to undertake careers in a range of sectors including marketing, publishing, education, government administration, and journalism.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:1 or equivalent |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 7.0, minimum 6.5 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | C1 Advanced: 185, with 176 in each component |
| Duolingo | 130, minimum 120 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | C1 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 75 with a minimum of 70 in each component |
| KITE | 495-526, with 459-494 in all other components |
| Skills for English | C1: Pass overall, with Pass in each component |
| PTE Academic | 67, minimum 61 in each component |
| TOEFL | 96, minimum 23 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Distinction in all component |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
If you are new to the field or have only minimal prior background:
If you have considerable prior background:
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
Explore campus and city life and hear what our current students have to say about living here.
Lively, full of culture and beautiful, York is regularly voted one of the best places to live and visit in the UK.
Find out more about York. Chat to staff and students and take the tour, on campus or online.
