Skip navigation
Search
Search
Discourse Studies at Lancaster University - UCAS

Course options

2023 - 20242024 - 2025
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

  • Why Lancaster?*
  • Study at the first university in the UK to offer an MA Discourse Studies
  • Be inspired by our world-leading experts in corpus linguistics and related areas such as health and science communication
  • Join our Discourse & Text (DisTex) research group and benefit from a host of additional events, talks and activities to complement and enhance your course
  • Enjoy the flexibility of designing part of your degree based on your specific interests
  • Make the most of our outstanding resources including fully equipped labs for eye-tracking, phonetics and child language analysis
  • Use your degree as a stepping stone to become an expert in communication in the public or private sector
Language is at the heart of human behaviour. We’ll show you methods and techniques for highly detailed analysis of communication, so that you can identify what works and what doesn’t, and help individuals and organisations get their message across more effectively. Firm foundations You’ll gain a solid grounding in the key theories and applications of Discourse Studies by studying three core modules. You’ll also be able to develop your research skills in our fourth core module, Research Methods in Linguistics and English Language. Plus, you can focus on one of your special interests in your dissertation. Previous students have chosen to focus on topics as diverse as cryptocurrencies and charities. We’re well known for our extensive range of modules, from forensic linguistics to corpus linguistics. Through the core modules you’ll have the opportunity to apply discourse analysis methods to real-life contexts such as political communication or media reporting. Outside the lecture theatre We pride ourselves on offering much more than high quality teaching. Join one of our many different research groups, such as Discourse and Text, try one of the lively university societies or take part in one of our international summer schools. Don’t worry if you’re returning to education or aren’t used to studying in the UK – we’re ready to provide extra support if you need it. You can get help with your academic reading, writing and presentation skills. There’s also the option to study part-time and combine your studies with a job.

Modules

Core modules: Introduction to discourse studies; critical discourse analysis; pragmatics; research methods in linguistics and English language; postgraduate academic study skills. Optional modules may include: Corpus linguistics; English grammar (a cognitive approach); language, literacies and digital communication; principles of language teaching; 2nd language acquisition; sociolinguistics; using corpora in language teaching; experimental approaches to language and cognition; cognitive linguistics; teaching languages to students with specific learning differences; bilingualism; content-based approaches to language education; curriculum design in language education; forensic linguistics; language test construction and evaluation; sociophonetics; stylistics.

Assessment method

Assessment is by coursework and a dissertation.

Entry requirements

2:1 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. 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

Additional fee information

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