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Language and Linguistics at Lancaster University - UCAS

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2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Lancaster is one of the best places in the world to study Language and Linguistics, according to the 2025 QS World Rankings. You’ll work with some of the world’s top experts in one of the UK’s largest Linguistics departments as you gain a rich insight into the way language works. We have expertise in the growing prominence of language in areas such politics, security, human cognition, language acquisition and digital communication. From cutting-edge discoveries in the field, to core theories and principles, this course offers a fascinating exploration of the uniquely human capacity that is language. Why Lancaster?

  • Study with one of the largest Linguistics departments in the UK, with expertise across an impressively wide range of language, linguistics and language education fields
  • Benefit from our excellence in teaching and research, with access to 3 specialist laboratories and 11 research centres
  • Tailor your degree to your professional and personal interests
  • Sharpen your career prospects with advanced skills such as data handling and research methods
  • Add an international dimension to your degree – join an international summer school or work on your dissertation from a partner university
Learn from experts Study in an environment that is intellectually rich, active and supportive. Our MA programme is delivered by world-renowned experts in Lancaster’s School of Social Science. It has been designed to reflect the latest cutting-edge topics and developments in the field, as well as core theories and principles. You’ll become a member of our thriving Linguistic community. Alongside taught elements of your degree programme, there are numerous opportunities to engage with the subject, from attending our research groups to hearing talks by inspiring international experts. You will have access to our state-of-the-art labs, including a phonetics lab with ultrasound, an EEG lab, an eye-tracking lab and a child-language lab. While you may have studied a linguistics or language subject before, this isn’t essential, and we also welcome students who have a language or linguistic dimension in their current work or a personal interest in the subject. A diverse exploration of language The MA offers a broad range of optional modules, offering the opportunity to tailor your degree and gain knowledge, skills and understanding in the areas that interest you the most. We’ll ensure you are party to the very latest knowledge in the field, and our modules include the most up-to-date topics, theories and methods in language and linguistics. The degree covers a very broad range of topics, such as:
  • Phonetics
  • Corpus linguistics
  • Pragmatics and sociolinguistics
  • Areas where linguistics connects with broader disciplines such as cognitive science and psychology
Lancaster has expertise in real-world areas where we are seeing a greater prominence for language. These include:
  • Power and politics
  • Language policy and multilingualism
  • Literacies and digital communication
  • Language learning and teaching
  • Security and intelligence
You will draw on your learnings from these and other topics as you choose a subject for your dissertation, delving deeper into an area of particular importance to you. Your dissertation is an opportunity to showcase your knowledge and skills as you investigate your chosen subject under the guidance of one of our academic team, with particular expertise in the subject.

Modules

Core modules: Research methods in linguistics and English language; postgraduate academic study skills. Optional modules may include: Corpus linguistics; English grammar: a cognitive approach; introduction to discourse studies; language, literacies and digital communication; principles of language teaching; second language acquisition; sociolinguistics; using corpora in language teaching; bilingualism; critical discourse analysis; forensic linguistics; language test construction and evaluation; pragmatics; sociophonetics; stylistics; content-based approaches to language education; experimental approaches to language and cognition; cognitive linguistics; pedagogical grammar; task-based language teaching.

Assessment method

Assessment is by coursework and a dissertation.

Entry requirements

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

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

For information about fees and funding please visit our website: www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding.
Language and Linguistics at Lancaster University - UCAS