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Linguistics with a Specialisation in Syntax MA

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2026/27 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Linguistics with a Specialisation in Syntax MA (2025/26), click here

UK students International students

Study mode

UK tuition fees (2026/27)

£16,000

£8,000

Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)

£35,400

£17,700

Duration

1 calendar year

2 calendar years

Programme starts

September 2026

Applications accepted

Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 27 Mar 2026

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026

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 is required.

The English language level for this course 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.

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

Theoretical syntax is a branch of linguistics that explores the abstract rules and principles governing sentence structure in human languages. It aims to understand how words combine to form phrases and sentences, and to develop models that explain the underlying mental computations involved in language use. Students gain knowledge and understanding of current research in theoretical syntax and are prepared for independent research. On completion of the programme, they will be able to formulate appropriate research questions, find and evaluate relevant literature, develop and test new hypotheses, and produce cogent, structured and professionally presented reports.

Who this course is for

The programme is designed for students who already have a strong background in linguistics and wish to pursue a deeper focus on syntax. Applicants should typically have the equivalent of an undergraduate degree with a majority of course-units taken in linguistics, including prior study of syntax.

Students who have less prior experience with formal linguistics, or limited experience in syntax, may be better suited for our general MA Linguistics programme.

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

What this course will give you

The UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences undertakes world-leading research and teaching in linguistics, language, mind, and behaviour. More specifically, UCL Linguistics is one of the leading departments for research in theoretical linguistics in the UK and its staff include world-leaders in theoretical syntax, semantics, pragmatics, phonology, and experimental linguistics.

Our work attracts staff and students from around the world. Together they create an outstanding and vibrant environment, taking advantage of cutting-edge resources such as a behavioural neuroscience laboratory, a centre for brain imaging, and extensive laboratories for research in speech and language, perception, cognition, and communication.

Our world-class research is characterised by a tight integration of theoretical and experimental work spanning the full width of the linguistic enterprise and forms the bedrock of the department’s eminent reputation which is also reflected in other markers of excellence such as its editorial involvement with top journals in the field.

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

The foundation of your career

Although the degree can be an end in itself, this advanced programme is an excellent preparation for independent doctoral research in syntax. Graduates from our specialisation MA programmes in linguistics have a very strong track record of securing funded doctoral studentships and have in recent years gone on to research at UCL and other global universities. Recent graduates have also gone on to work in the technology and publishing sectors and 100% of graduates from this route have gone onto work or further study within 15 months of completing their studies (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/2023).

Employability

The MA Linguistics with a Specialisation in Syntax equips graduates with the necessary skills to carry out advanced research in linguistics with a particular focus on syntax. It additionally provides transferable skills that prepare students for a wide range of careers within and outside of academia, including analytical thinking, problem solving, project management, and writing and oral presentation skills. Depending on module selection, the degree can also provide training in experimental methods, statistical analysis, and computational linguistics. These skills open up opportunities in many different sectors, including language teaching, translating and interpreting, speech, technology, marketing, communication, journalism, management, and law.

Networking

Students have ample opportunity to interact with world-renowned researchers in linguistics and other areas within the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences; they will serve as your teachers, mentors, and research supervisors throughout the programme.

The department also runs a number of research seminars and invited lectures throughout they year, allowing students to engage with prominent researchers from other universities.

Finally, students have the opportunity to engage with UCL’s Careers support service and to connect to UCL’s extensive alumni network.

Teaching and learning

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

Assessment is through take-home and unseen examination, essays, presentations, assignments and a research dissertation.

For full-time students in terms one and two, typical contact hours are around 10-14 hours per week, depending on the optional and elective modules chosen through lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. In term three and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

Students will also display a level of independent study (25-30 hours per week), for example, by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the programme and completing coursework assignments.

Modules

Students on the MA Linguistics with a Specialisation in Syntax will complete one core obligatory module, which takes the form of a dissertation focused on syntax. In addition, they will select three core option modules from a curated list of approximately five syntax-focused modules. This list may vary slightly each year depending on staff availability and expertise.

Beyond the core syntax components, students will choose two option modules from a broader selection of linguistics modules. These offerings also change from year to year, reflecting developments in the field and departmental staffing.

Finally, students will have the opportunity to select three elective modules, allowing for considerable flexibility and personalisation. These electives can be chosen from a wide range of subjects, enabling students to tailor their studies to their individual interests and academic goals.

Part-time students take the same modules as full-time students but spread over two years. They take the dissertation in Year 2 of their studies.

Compulsory modules

Dissertation in Linguistics

Optional modules

Semantic Theory

Advanced Semantic Theory

Current Issues in Syntax

Intermediate Generative Grammar: Locality

Interfaces in Syntax

Semantics Research Seminar

Readings in Syntax

Principles of Phonetic Science

Intermediate Phonology

Intermediate Generative Grammar: Word Order

Advanced Phonological Theory

Syntax Research Seminar

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 Linguistics with a Specialisation in Syntax.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time	Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£16,000	£8,000
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£35,400	£17,700

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course 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 with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

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

This programme has no additional costs.

For in-person teaching, 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. 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

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

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

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

why you want to study the MA Linguistics with a Specialisation in Syntax at graduate level
why you want to study MA Linguistics with a Specialisation in Syntax at UCL
what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this rigorous 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 courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This course only requires one reference in support of your application. Your reference should be academic unless you have been out of university education for more than four years. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.