Linguistics MA

Course overview

Discover how language really works and unlock a range of exciting careers with an MA in Linguistics.

The MA in Linguistics is a course all about how language works – how we build sentences, make sounds and communicate every day. You study the essentials first, then choose topics you actually care about, like how children learn a language or how conversations really work. It all wraps up with your own research project on something that interests you.

It matters because linguistics mixes science and creativity, helping you understand people and communication on a deeper level. You build skills that employers love: analysing information, solving problems, spotting patterns, and thinking critically – all taught by experts using the latest research.

When it come to your career, this course opens up a range of opportunities. Graduates go into education, media, publishing, marketing, tech, AI, and more. It’s also a great step towards speech therapy or further study. If you enjoy language, people, and figuring out how things work, linguistics is a smart, flexible choice for the future.

“The teaching is excellent, and the lecturers are knowledgeable, experienced and approachable, going out of their way to ensure that sessions are engaging, intellectually stimulating and well-paced. “

Scott Lewis, MA Linguistics

Find out more about Scott Lewis’ time at Leeds

Why study at Leeds:

• Access outstanding facilities, including a recording studio, specialist software, and a wide range of online corpora.
• Get hands-on in the phonetics lab, designed to support practical exploration of speech and sound.
• Study in the Language Zone, a state-of-the-art space packed with language-learning resources available whenever you need them.
• Join a vibrant linguistics community with tutors and researchers who are active members of the University-wide Language at Leeds network.
• Boost your learning through regular research events, talks, and activities happening throughout the year.

Course details and modules

This programme is suitable for people who will have studied some linguistics during their first degree and provides ideal preparation for further research in linguistics. If you have a substantial background in linguistics or phonetics, you may prefer to study for an MA by Research.

As part of the MA programme, you will take five compulsory modules and 60 credits of option choices. Core modules will allow you to develop your knowledge of key aspects of linguistics, focusing on both formal syntax and phonetics in semester 1. You will build on this foundational knowledge in the following semester, progressing onto an advanced module in syntax and/or phonetics. You will also take core modules to develop your academic and research skills in linguistics.

In addition, you will expand your understanding of areas that suit your interests when you choose from optional modules on topics such as pragmatics and discourse analysis, first and second language acquisition, and sociolinguistics. By the end of the programme, you will be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you’ve gained when you complete an independently researched dissertation on a linguistics topic of your choice.

The MA is one calendar year of full-time study. If you choose to study part-time, you will take fewer modules in each year so you can study over a period of 24 months.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Linguistics MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Linguistics MA Part Time in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

We use diverse and inclusive teaching and learning methods to help you benefit from our tutors’ expertise. They include seminars, lectures, online learning, practical classes and tutorials. Most of the compulsory and optional modules will run from September to January (semester 1) or from February to June (semester 2), combining lectures with weekly or fortnightly seminars. Independent study is also a vital element of the course. You’re also encouraged to sit in on classes in modules that you’re not taking, giving you a great opportunity to gain a broad base of knowledge in linguistics and phonetics.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You will be assessed by a wide variety of assessment methods, giving you opportunities to develop key skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, the ability to analyse authentic language data, synthesise information from multiple sources and evaluate current theoretical debates.

Core modules will be assessed by analysis tasks, practical assignments, exams and research papers. Option modules may also include research proposals, critiques, presentations and collaborative projects, introducing you to a broad range of research methods in linguistics.

You will also be assessed on your individual summer project (dissertation), allowing you to conduct original research on a linguistic topic of your choice.

Applying

Entry requirements

You’ll need a bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification, preferably in a Linguistics related degree, specialising in one of the following subjects indicated under 'Linguistics related subjects’.

We will also consider applicants with relevant experience, an interest in linguistics, or coming from an area of expertise to which linguistics is complementary such as the ones listed under ‘Other areas’.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines so please do not hesitate to apply if your subject is not listed.

All applicants will be required to respond to the questions in the supporting statement section of the online application form to explain why you wish to study this particular course and your career plans. Relevant professional experience may also be considered. We may request additional documentation to inform our decision.

Linguistics related subjects

• Linguistics
• English language
• Modern languages
• Language teaching
• Translation

Other areas

• Media studies
• Media communications
• Social media
• Philosophy
• Applied mathematics
• Data science
• Social sciences
• Psychology
• Computer science
• Anthropology

International

Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.

You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read  Language for Education (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Education (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you intend to apply for funding, we advise you to submit an application for your chosen course as early as possible and at least one month before any scholarship deadline.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you'll need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying (please submit an official English translation where the original is not in English)
• Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• A personal statement in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form
• A full up-to-date CV
• Any previous UK CAS, visa and BRP documents if you’re an international applicant who has previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4/ Student Visa

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Personal Statement Requirements

Please summarise your reasons for applying to this particular programme of study. Your response can include details of your previous study/work experience relevant to the programme and career ambitions. Your response can provide us with important information on your suitability for the course, so please complete carefully.

Please explain why you have chosen to apply for this Masters course at the University of Leeds by answering the following questions in separate numbered paragraphs:

• What areas of this course particularly interest you and why? Have you studied these before? Please explain your reasons for applying to this particular Masters course
• Why do you want to study this course at Leeds? Please comment on aspects such as available resources at the University and in the city, research specialisms within the school or academics you would like to work with.
• What potential themes have you considered for dissertation research?
• How will studying for this course help you to achieve your longer term goals?
• Why do you see this course as a particularly valuable subject to study?
• What skills and experience do you have that have prepared you for this course? You may like to give details of any final year work/projects you have previously undertaken, relevant work experience etc.

Relevant work experience might include: teaching, translation, speech and language therapy, data science, computing, coding, communication, publishing, media.

Next Steps

Where further information to support the assessment of your application is needed, we may ask for a recent sample of written work.

We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application.

Support for part-time and mature learners

The Lifelong Learning Centre provides support for mature and part-time learners across the University, including advice on how to apply to university and support throughout your studies.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies

Contact us

Taught Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: lcspg@leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £12,500 (Total)

International: £28,000 (Total)

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below: 

• Scholarships for International students 
• Scholarships and funding for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

Career opportunities

Masters careers and employability: hear from students and alumni video

This course helps you understand how human communication really works while building valuable skills that employers value such as data analysis, research, interpreting information, and communicating clearly.

Many graduates go on to work in education and language teaching, either in the UK or abroad. Others use this MA as an exciting step into fields such as translation, computational linguistics, natural language processing, forensic linguistics or speech and language therapy (with further training).

Some students continue into academia, working as professors or researchers at universities, specialising in linguistics teaching and research in areas such as theoretical syntax, phonetics, discourse analysis and psycholinguistics. Many also find opportunities in a variety of sectors that involve language and communication, such as publishing and editorial, market research and analysis, policy, government and heritage work, or intercultural training.

Alumni profile: Scott Lewis

“I knew that the reputation of linguistics, both nationally and internationally, meant that my MA would be recognised by employers and academic institutions alike.”

Scott Lewis, MA Linguistics

Learn more about the careers our students have pursued – read our alumni student profiles.

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one — that’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers. The University's Careers Service is one of the largest in the country, providing a wide range of resources to ensure you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Dedicated Employability Officer — gain quality advice, guidance and information to help you choose a career path. From CV and cover letter writing to supporting you with job applications, our School’s dedicated Employability Officer is on hand to help maximise your capabilities through a process of personal development and career planning.
• Employability and networking events — we run a full range of events, including careers fairs and industry talks in specialist areas and across broader industries, with employers who are actively recruiting for roles, giving you the opportunity to network and engage with industry sponsors. 
• Employability skills training – to support your transition to the workplace, we embed training in a range of key transferable skills valued by employers such as research and data analysis in all our programmes.
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

You'll also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

Guaranteed industry experience 

The Global Industry Programme gives Masters students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience through live industry projects. You’ll connect with leading companies across the globe to work on impactful, hands-on consultancy projects, enhancing your employability skills and enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to practical business challenges. 

Skills for your future

In a competitive job market, the combination of hard and soft skills provided by this course sets candidates apart. Employers value graduates who can not only run an analysis but also explain what it means for the business, influence decisions and deliver results. This programme ensures you leave ready to contribute as soon as you start your first job.

You’ll graduate with a range of professional skills that are highly valued by employers in this sector, including:

• Digital and data literacy - hands-on experience enabling you to work effectively in data-driven environments.
• Analysis and problem-solving – the ability to confidently interpret complex data, identify trends, and make evidence-based decisions
• Commercial awareness – an in-depth understanding of how analytical insights translate into strategic marketing actions and business growth. 
• Critical thinking and research– the ability to evaluate sources, challenge assumptions and apply rigorous research methods to marketing challenges
• Communication and collaboration – how to present insights persuasively to technical and non-technical audiences and work effectively in teams. 
• Time management and adaptability – be able to deliver results under pressure and adapt quickly to changing market or project demands. 
• Cultural and diversity awareness – how to apply consumer insights with sensitivity to different markets, cultures, and customer segments. 

Links with industry

This programme benefits from strong industry and professional links, supported by guest speakers, case studies, applied projects and our affiliation with the Consumer Data Research Centre. There’s a wealth of opportunity to gain valuable exposure to current industry practice and direct insights from practitioners, and you’ll develop your practical skills by working on a live data project from one of our partner businesses.

Work placements and industry experience

As a Masters student at Leeds, you’ll have the unique opportunity to gain real-world industry experience with our Global Industry Programme.

You’ll develop key professional skills and gain invaluable insight into working in your chosen field, helping to solve a real business problem from a live company brief.

This experience will enhance your CV, helping you to stand out in the competitive graduate jobs market and improving your chances of securing the career you want.

Benefits of the Global Industry Programme:

• Fully online and designed to fit around your studies.
• Opportunities to make professional networks in areas such as digital marketing, business growth, sustainability and funding strategy.
• Gain valuable insight and build consultancy experience with a UK or international organisation, working on a time limited brief.
• Work as part of a team across disciplines to tackle real business needs.
• Advance your experience and hands-on skills by putting the course teachings into practice.
• Improve your employability prospects.
• Make new friends, build confidence and consider your future plans.