Language, Culture and Communication
Entry requirements
You'll need a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in English Language, Media Studies, Journalism, Communication Studies or another relevant subject (e.g. Linguistics, Translation Studies, TEFL/TESL, English Literature).
Appropriate work experience will also be taken into consideration.
Months of entry
September
Course content
Learn to critique different ideologies about culture and evaluate news and other forms of public discourse. You’ll develop critical and analytical skills to dissect the ways language is used in politics, media, and communications.
Whether you're interested in academic research or a career in communications fields like journalism, public relations, marketing or diplomacy, you'll gain the critical skills and theoretical rigour you need to understand how people use different linguistic strategies to communicate in and across different cultures.
At Birmingham, we consider discourse in social, political, historical and cultural contexts across different modes of communication.
We examine ‘culture’ as something that’s created by the stories we tell ourselves about others.
In one seminar, you might learn how to analyse everyday stylised discourse examples (e.g., a political speech) from cognitive-linguistic or socio-linguistic perspectives.
In another seminar you might consider how someone's social status, gender, ideology or ‘cultural’ assumptions are reflected in their interactions with others.
You'll benefit from our varied research interests in the Department of Linguistics and Communication to enhance your understanding of language use.
In the second term there are optional modules you can choose from, allowing you to specialise in areas that capture your interest. Optional modules may include topics from Corpus Linguistics, to TESOL Language Education, to issues in Language and New Media or Language, Power and Identity.
- Critique the concept of culture and how it’s connected to communication.
- Identify linguistic strategies used in different forms of discourse – for example mass media, social media political speeches, business meetings and adverts.
- Develop the critical thinking skills vital for many careers.
- Become part of a World Top 30 Linguistics department that's renowned for research excellence (QS World University Rankings 2024).
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Applied Linguistics.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake a 15,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you.
Information for international students
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification. You'll need to have an IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.5 in any band or equivalent.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 22 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 67 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 176 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
Fees and funding
The College of Arts and Law is a vibrant community of students and academics, dedicated to ensuring that excellence is rewarded, and that fears about finance do not constrain current or prospective students. For this reason, in addition to University funding schemes, we offer our own College-specific funding initiatives.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MA
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Postgraduate Enquiries