Skip navigation
Applied Linguistics and Communication at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
Apply

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Our MA Applied Linguistics and Communication gives you the opportunity to explore language and communication from a wide variety of perspectives. It is designed to cultivate your understanding of key concepts, issues and theories, while also developing your analytical and empirical skills, so you can investigate and deal with real-world language issues applicable to a variety of domains and careers. Why choose this course?

  • Applied linguistics has been taught by experienced, world-leading academics at Birkbeck since 1965. Our centre of teaching and research excellence has contributed greatly to the field over the years.
  • Our most recent external examination reported: 'very high levels of professionalism and real quality in teaching. Students taking this unique course are getting the best in terms of professional practice and support. They are also allowed to develop their own interests and demonstrate independence of both skills and knowledge.’
  • This Master's degree is unique in offering you a choice between two dissertation pathways: an empirical research investigation, or an independent library-based project on a relevant topic. It is ideal if you want to gain experience useful in furthering your career prospects and professional development, or experience useful if you have an interest in doctoral research and aspire to work in higher education.
What you will learn Core modules will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative research methods for undertaking your own empirical and/or theoretical research into language and language behaviour and sub-domains of applied linguistics. These include, for example, first and second language acquisition, intercultural communication, language pedagogy and assessment, language impairment, language policy, language and identity, and language variation. You can also choose from a suite of option modules to tailor your degree to your interests or career aspirations. How you will learn This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes in the evening. You will learn through lectures, seminars, workshops and one-to-one supervisory sessions. You will also benefit from the experience of attending extracurricular seminars hosting guest speakers. These will introduce you to cutting-edge research and enable you to mix with language professionals working inside and outside of academia. Highlights
  • Birkbeck actively collaborates with the larger community of applied linguists throughout University of London colleges.
  • We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.
Careers and employability Through gaining important knowledge in critical skills, theory and practice this MA Applied Linguistics and Communication allows you to build your career prospects and sharpen your professional goals. On successfully graduating you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
  • advanced (academic) oral and literacy skills
  • critical and analytical skills
  • qualitative research skills
  • quantitative research skills.
Graduates can pursue a range of careers in which language and communication is central; these include, for example, posts in education, local government and the charity sector, public relations and the media, marketing and lexicography. Possible professions include:
  • English as a second language (ESOL) teacher
  • lexicographer
  • speech and language therapist
  • Civil Service fast-streamer
  • primary school teacher
  • translator.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Coursework, including a dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words or an independent literature review of 4500-5000 words.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

Usually a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above, or overseas equivalent, in a relevant subject and/or professional training and expertise. A short admissions task of no more than 500 words may be requested, to support your application. You must provide two references, at least one of which should be an academic reference. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £11070 Year 1
Northern Ireland £11070 Year 1
Scotland £11070 Year 1
Wales £11070 Year 1
International £20340 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Applied Linguistics and Communication at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS