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Applied Linguistics MA

London, Bloomsbury

This MA explores language from a wide range of perspectives. It is designed to develop understanding of key concepts and issues related to applied linguistics and engage students in the theoretical and empirical investigation of real-world situations, contexts and issues in which language plays a crucial role, while also exploring language education globally.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£12,700
£6,350
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£31,100
£15,550
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 13 Mar 2024

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 02 Jul 2024

Applications closed

Find similar courses still open

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of a second-class UK Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject (e.g. English, languages, linguistics, communication), or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting October.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This programme will provide students with insights into applied linguistics and language education from socio-cultural, discourse, bilingual, cognitive, and global perspectives. It will also develop students' capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesise linguistic data, primary and secondary sources, as well as helping them to design research.

Who this course is for

This programme is suitable for anyone with a keen interest in applied linguistics or language education globally, such as people in language-focused professions (e.g., journalism, copywriting and editing, communications and PR), language teachers (including EFL, ESL, ESOL), students of English language, applied linguistics, languages or communication, and those who share an interest in the relations between language, cognition, culture and society.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The Department of Culture, Communication and Media (CCM) is committed to excellence in teaching, research and consultancy across a range of areas including applied linguistics.

One of the key aims of IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society’s Centre for Applied Linguistics is to seek external funding for high-quality research and consultancy in the broad field of applied linguistics, including discourse analysis, bilingualism and multilingualism, second language acquisition, health communication, intercultural communication, linguistic ethnography, semiotics, and language-in-education policy and practice, and undertake such research.

It also aims to provide research input into teaching programmes and doctoral supervision in areas of applied linguistics and global language education.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This programme not only provides an outstanding foundation for those hoping to undertake PhD research and pursue an academic career, but is also popular with students wishing to develop their career internationally or go into education. Group discussions and debates on the programme help students to acquire strong presentation and negotiation skills. Likewise, the analytical and research skills gained by students are highly valued by employers from a range of sectors. There are many additional activities available, both within the department and the wider UCL community, to help students focus on employability skills, for example departmental talks and other networking opportunities.

The best thing about my programme was that I got the chance to develop my research skills and to improve my critical thinking. Conducting a piece of research with the help of a supervisor was a rewarding experience.

Jiawei Ding, Applied Linguistics MA student

Jiawei Ding

Applied Linguistics MA

Q&A with Jiawei Ding

Employability

Graduates of this programme include university and college lecturers, researchers, senior managers and directors of study in private and state sector schools, textbook, materials, and content writers, editors and publishers, journalists, NGO project officers, education consultants, policy advisers and communications experts, and consultants in different industries.

Networking

Students will have many opportunities to engage in networking activities with scholars, researchers and students in the field of TESOL and related areas. The Centre hosts regular talks which allow students not only to broaden their understanding of issues in the field, but also to be part of a collegial community of scholars and educators. Students can join the British Association for Applied Linguistics, or participate in several activities conducted by the UCL Applied Linguistics Society.

Teaching and learning

Students will be exposed to a wide variety of teaching and learning methods/strategies, on the assumption that delivery of content is both an art and science. Faculty are also sensitive to culturally appropriate learning practices which students from diverse backgrounds bring along with them in the classroom.

This programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, projects, supervisory tutorials, student presentations, and student-led discussions. Within tutor-led sessions, students often engage in individual, pair and group tasks which are then fed back to the plenary. Students are assessed through written coursework, oral presentation, and the dissertation. Alternative modes of assessment may be a feature of some modules.

Students spend about 20% of their time in lectures, seminars, or one-to-one supervisions. The remainder is dedicated to preparing for lectures and seminars, and pursuing students' own interests via independent study.

Modules

The programme consists of one core module (30 credits), one compulsory research dissertation (60 credits), and three optional modules (90 credits).  

Autumn term

  • Core Module (Discourse, Society and Culture)
  • Optional module 1
  • Dissertation module

Spring term

  • Dissertation module/supervision
  • Optional module 2
  • Optional module 3

Summer term

Dissertation supervision

The programme consists of one core module (30 credits), one compulsory research dissertation (60 credits), and three optional modules (90 credits).  

Autumn term year 1

  • Core Module

Spring term year 1

  • Optional module 1

Summer term year 1

  • Optional module 2

Autumn term year 2

  • Optional module 3
  • Dissertation module

Spring term year 2

  • Dissertation module/supervision

Summer term year 2

  • Dissertation supervision

The programme consists of one core module (30 credits), one compulsory research dissertation (60 credits), and three optional modules (90 credits).  

You will have up to 5 years to complete your Master’s programme. The first module you take on this programme should be your core module Discourse, Society and Culture (CCME0044). You will then need to enrol on 3 optional modules before taking your dissertation in the final year of your studies.

Compulsory modules




Optional modules














Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Applied Linguistics.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

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Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Applied Linguistics MA and TESOL MA

Are you interested in investigating questions around language, culture and diversity? Our programmes bring together a wide range of expertise to explore these issues from a range of perspectives. We welcome you to book your place at our Virtual Open Event. You will meet our Programme Leaders, hear about the programmes you are interested in and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. These sessions are free and open to all.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £12,700 £6,350
Tuition fees (2024/25) £31,100 £15,550

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in their dissertation.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Digital Media Programme Bursary

NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY
Value: £5,000 (One year)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024
Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised that we will prioritise applications that provide all the required documentation at the point of application.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Applied Linguistics at graduate level
  • why you want to study Applied Linguistics at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and/or professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Culture, Communication and Media
Culture, Communication and Media

ioe.alt@ucl.ac.uk

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