Investigate the psychology of language
Year of entry: 2019
1 year full-time,
2 years part-time
September 2019 (term dates)
Chat with staff and students to find out more about postgraduate study at York.
Register nowExplore the human mind through the structures and processes of language and communication.
Our MA in Psycholinguistics will provide you with a detailed foundation in the key theories and questions in psycholinguistics, while giving you practical training in the techniques, methodologies, and quantitative analysis methods associated with this field. You’ll analyse the ways in which language is represented and processed in real time, and study the factors that enable us to comprehend and use language. You'll have the opportunity to develop your interest in areas such as bilingualism, syntactic and semantic processing, and early phonetic and phonological development.
With world-class tutors you'll gain knowledge, and be introduced to research questions and methodologies. You'll also be able to perform original research in psycholinguistics, and you'll apply your skills and knowledge to linguistic data.
This programme offers different routes to suit your level of experience studying linguistics.
We offer different study routes if you have already studied linguistics at undergraduate level, or if you are new to linguistics.
You can choose your modules depending on whether you already have a background in linguistics or psycholinguistics. If you have not studied these subjects before you'll study modules that provide introductions to the core areas. You'll study taught modules worth 120 credits, and complete your dissertation which is worth 60 credits.
There are two different routes in Autumn Term, depending on your prior background. If you have no prior background in linguistics or psycholinguistics you'll take the modules in Route A, below.
If you already have some background in these subjects you'll take Route B. When you apply we will help you to determine which route you should take.
Quantitative Methods (10 credits)
This module will give you a firm grounding in the theory and practice of quantitative data analysis, which you will be able to use in your own research.
Language Acquisition (10 credits)
This module introduces the field of language acquisition research, including language acquisition research methods, data, and theory. The module focuses on child first language acquisition of phonology and syntax, but covers at least one additional area of language acquisition, such as adult second language acquisition or child bilingualism.
Psycholinguistics (10 credits)
This module introduces you to central areas of psycholinguistic theory and research. You'll learn about speech perception, language production, language comprehension, language and the brain, language in special populations and theoretical approaches. The module will explore issues in the study of language as a source of evidence about the human mind, touching upon a large variety of topics: animal language experiments, language disorders, language acquisition and processing, language evolution. The discussion will cover a variety of theoretical approaches, including behaviourism, nativism, and usage-based linguistics, as well as experimental methods and evidence.
You can choose either Syntax or Phonetics and Phonology for your fourth module:
Syntax (10 credits)
This module introduces you to the scientific methodology employed in syntax. You’ll gain an understanding of a theoretical framework within which syntactic investigation can be undertaken. You’ll also begin to develop skills in data analysis and syntactic argumentation.
Phonetics and Phonology (10 credits)
This module will give you practice at using articulatory and acoustic phonetic terminology to describe English and other languages. You’ll learn about the International Phonetic Alphabet and the principles of its use; you’ll be introduced to some simple notational devices for the phonological analysis of speech. This module will also prepare you for further modules in phonetics and phonology.
Quantitative Methods (10 credits)
AND 30 further credits from among the modules below and the modules in Route A:
Advanced Syntax (10 credits)
Advanced Phonology (10 credits)
Advanced Phonetics (10 credits)
Phonological Development (20 credits)
In Spring Term you will take two 20-credit modules from a choice of options. These may include:
Bilingualism (20 credits)
Learning Mechanisms in Phonological Development (20 credits)
Psycholinguistic Approaches to Second Language Acquisition (20 credits)
Syntactic Theory (20 credits)
Prosody of English (20 credits)
Articulatory and Impressionistic Phonetics (20 credits)
Key Ideas in Linguistics (20 credits)
You'll gain an overview of some key ideas in linguistic research from the 20th century and beyond. You'll explore a wide range of literature in linguistics. This module will take you from seminar discussion around key pieces of research in linguistic theory to practical sessions to equip you to undertake either a theoretical project, or an empirical project.
Research Training (20 credits)
This module is taught by various members of staff which brings you the benefit of our combined expertise in a range of linguistics research skills. You'll cover research design and writing skills in linguistics, and will have subject-specific workshops. You’ll be able to develop and present research plans, and you’ll learn how to communicate your research to others.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
In Summer Term and over the vacation you'll prepare and complete your dissertation of between 8,000 and 10,000 words (60 credits), supervised by a member of staff. You'll submit your dissertation in September.
Topics have ranged from:
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.
| Study mode | UK/EU | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £7,810 | £17,370 |
| Part-time (2 years) Fees for subsequent years are subject to confirmation. | £3,905 year 1 fee | £8,685 year 1 fee |
Students on a Tier 4 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. Fees for subsequent years are subject to increase (no more than 2% each year).
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK/EU or international student.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
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. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
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 throughout the Autumn, Spring, and Summer Term teaching periods, to support your development in academic skills as a linguist.
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. Most of your contact hours will be in or close to Vanbrugh College, with some additional teaching in other locations 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. You’ll submit exercises or short essays, or take examinations, for your Autumn Term modules. You'll produce 5,000 word essays for your Spring Term option modules. You'll submit four short assignments over the course of the Key Ideas in Linguistics module.
For the Research Training module you'll take one examination, and write a methodological critique of a linguistics research paper. You will also complete a dissertation.
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.
Effective communication, critical thinking and project management skills are central to most careers. The study of linguistics at York equips you with these skills and others, which translate readily into any work context.
Our graduates have an excellent record of pursuing fulfilling paths after graduation, often going directly into employment. Their work spans advertising, teaching English as a foreign language, IT, accountancy, broadcasting, clinical and forensic linguistics, retail management, and other careers.
Apart from your knowledge of linguistics, you will leave with the confidence and skills that come from successfully completing a demanding course and participating fully in university life.
Find out more about how we can help make you more employable
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Degree | You should have, or be about to complete, a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. If you are unsure about your eligibility, or want an informal chat about whether this course would be suitable for you, please contact us. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. Visit general guidance on international entry requirements or email international@york.ac.uk for further details for this course.
You can apply and send all your documentation electronically through our online system. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.
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 two specialist MA programmes:
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