Language and Linguistics

Entry requirements

2:1 Hons degree in a related subject is normally required. We will also consider applications where you have a degree in other subjects, have a 2:2 or equivalent result and/or extensive relevant experience. In these cases, you should clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills have prepared you for postgraduate study.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Take your Master's in Language and Linguistics in one of the best Linguistics Departments in the world. We are placed 3rd in the QS World Rankings 2024.

Why Lancaster?

• Join a department with an international reputation for teaching and research with 3 specialist laboratories and 11 research centres
• Shape your degree – there is only one core module on this programme giving you the freedom to explore your interests
• Receive tailored support with academic study skills if you’re an international student or returning to academia
• Add a whole host of transferrable skills to your CV including data handling, which is sought after across sectors
• Get the chance to visit one of our international summer schools or work on your dissertation from a partner university

If you want to immerse yourself in the study of language and linguistics, Lancaster is the place for you. With over 40 members of staff specialising in different areas, we’re one of the largest departments in the UK.

Immersed in research

The research we’re carrying out in this area is extremely diverse – and so is this course. From studying the bilingual mind to analysing language, we’ll help expand your expertise. At the same time, you’ll hone your research skills and become confident handling large amounts of data.

With research groups in corpus studies, discourse studies, language testing, and more, there are plenty of opportunities to advance your knowledge in these theoretical and applied fields. As part of our community, you’ll also develop friendly networks with students who share your academic interests.

Shape your studies

There is only one core module for this course so you can completely tailor the programme to your interests. We offer optional modules around different linguistic and language themes:

• Theoretical and Descriptive Linguistics
• Language and Cognition
• Language in Use/Language in Society
• (Forensic) Speech Science and Technology
• Language, Variation and Change
• Language Learning and Teaching

Completing a dissertation is a vital part of the course. You’ll pick an area that interests you while developing skills that will be useful throughout your career. You could explore bilingualism our specialist Phonetics Lab. Or perhaps you’ll carry out psycholinguistics research in our Perception and Learning Lab and our Eye-Tracking Lab.

Information for international students

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in listening and speaking. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Learn more at our fees and funding page.