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Language Sciences: Development of Language and Speech MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Language Sciences MSc programme provides an opportunity for in-depth study in one or more areas of language science. It is an umbrella degree with five separate specialised routes. On the Development of Language and Speech route, you'll learn about different aspects of first language acquisition, how we acquire a second language, and how to study language development in typical and atypical populations.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£39,800
£19,900
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 04 Apr 2025

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a language science related area such as linguistics, speech sciences, English language, psychology, cognitive science, or a cognate discipline.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

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.

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


The Language Sciences MSc programme provides an opportunity for in-depth study in one or more areas of language science. It is an umbrella degree with five separate specialised routes. Each route follows a common structure, enabling students to tailor the degree to their own interests.

All students take a core set of modules, forming a basis from which to study and undertake research in diverse areas of language science. You will then tailor the degree to your own interests through choosing specialised modules to develop and build upon your existing research interests, enabling you to take full advantage of the breadth of expertise in Language Sciences in the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences.

Who this course is for

The Language Sciences MSc offers a variety of aspects related to speech and language in its five routes relating to neuroscience, development, technology, principles/fundamentals of language and speech, and sign language and deaf studies. Students will become specialists in their chosen route and complement their knowledge according to their tastes with further modules in speech, language or psychology. The modules aim at students with a background in linguistics and psychology. Modules are designed with an assumption of prior knowledge in these areas.

Many of our alumni work in interdisciplinary teams where they contribute as specialists in speech and language or are valued for their expertise in rigorous scientific working. The latter motivated and enabled some of our former students to pursue careers in entirely different fields.

The programme puts a large emphasis on the research project, which prepares students to pursue a PhD after completion. Many courses contain components with hands-on experience, such as lab or coding sessions, in which students obtain skills that are valued by industry and academia alike.

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

What this course will give you

The Development of Language and Speech route explores how humans acquire one of the fundamental yet most complex skills that is a hallmark of our species – the ability to communicate through language. Throughout your studies, you'll learn about different aspects of first language acquisition (syntax, semantics and pragmatics, speech perception and production), how we acquire a second language, and how to study language development in typical and atypical (e.g., dyslexic, autistic) populations.

The UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences undertakes world-leading research and teaching in mind, behaviour, and language. Staff and students benefit from cutting-edge resources including extensive laboratories for research in speech and language, perception, and cognition.

Opportunities for students to work with world-renowned researchers exist in all areas of investigation. The Division offers a supportive environment including numerous specialist seminars, workshops, and guest lectures.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme
Making an impact
Therapy participant speaking to an avatar.

Case study: AVATAR therapy

UCL played a pivotal role in developing AVATAR therapy, a groundbreaking digital therapy designed to help people with psychosis who hear distressing voices.

The foundation of your career

Many students who graduate from the Language Sciences MSc programme go on to further study or research. Recent graduates have gone on to PhD study at UCL, or in other UK and overseas institutions. Others primarily go onto work in related sectors such as health and social care and education (Graduate Outcomes survey 2021-22).

Employability

The skills that the Language Sciences MSc develops - independent research, written and oral presentation skills, and data analysis - are all transferable skills that are very highly sought outside academia.

Networking

Opportunities for students to work with world-renowned researchers exist in all areas of investigation. The Division offers a supportive environment including numerous specialist seminars, workshops, and guest lectures.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, small-group teaching and a virtual learning environment. Some modules also involve workshops or practical classes.

Student performance is assessed through coursework, examinations and the research project.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

In terms one and two full-time students can typically expect between 10 and 12 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, crits and tutorials. In term three and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

Modules

On the MSc Language Sciences programme (Development of Language and Speech route) you will complete 180 UCL credits from a range of compulsory, optional and elective modules. This selection of modules has been chosen to provide you with a flexible degree that you can tailor to your specific interests whilst meeting the learning outcomes of the specialised Development of Language and Speech route.

Three compulsory modules are taken by all MSc LangSci students, whatever their strand of specialisation which come to a total of 90 credits. One of which is the Research Project which is mostly carried out in the Summer period, after other assessments have been completed. 

In addition to the compulsory modules listed above, you will register for a number of optional modules and will register for these from a choice of six which totals 45 credits.

You will then register for a further three elective modules also worth 45 credits.

See the Language Sciences MSc webpage for additional information.

The programme structure for part-time students will be dependent on the modules selected. Normally, part-time students are expected to complete at least the compulsory modules in the first year of study.

See the Language Sciences MSc webpage for additional information.

The programme structure for modular/flexible students will be dependent on the number of modules selected per academic year.

See the Language Sciences MSc webpage for additional information.

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 MSc in Language Sciences: Development of Language and Speech.

Accessibility

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

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Graduate Open Events: Language Sciences MSc

The MSc Language Sciences provides an opportunity for in-depth study in one or more areas of the language sciences. It is an umbrella degree with four separate specialised routes. Each route follows a common structure, enabling students to tailor the degree to their own interests. This virtual information session is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the programme, meet the programme team and ask any questions you have about the Language Sciences MSc programme or life at UCL.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £39,800 £19,900

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

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Data collection for some Research Projects may involve contact with children or vulnerable adults. A Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check may be required for these projects. As a student you will not incur the cost of this application.

You may incur expenses in completion of your Research Project, for example travelling or paying test subjects. These costs will be approved in advance of being incurred and you will be reimbursed.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

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

Next steps

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

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.

When we assess your personal statement, we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Language Sciences at graduate level
  • Why you want to study Language Sciences at UCL
  • Why you have applied to your chosen route
  • Which module(s) on the route interest(s) you most and why
  • If there is a particular research area, research question, or research project you would like to work on; if there is a specific staff member you would like to work with, we encourage you to include this
  • How your academic and professional background have prepared you for the programme
  • How studying for the MSc will enable you to meet your short- and long-term career goals.

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.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Psychology and Language Sciences
Division of Psychology and Language Sciences

pals.langsci@ucl.ac.uk

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