Course summary

In the 21st century, meeting, working and communicating with people from across the globe has become part of everyday life. This diversity of culture brings with it a need for businesses and organisations to reassess their communication strategies to ensure that their internal and external communications are fully effective. Lancaster University’s MA in Intercultural Communication is designed to equip you with the expertise to advise on and implement effective communications in a range of multicultural settings. This flexible Masters programme gives you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of communication across cultures by drawing on both linguistic and social theory. You will study modules on intercultural communication and research methods. Our aim is to provide a strong background in subject-specific knowledge and develop your skills in a range of analytical methods. You can also select from a range of optional modules and tailor the degree to suit your own interests. You will take two core modules on Intercultural Communication, which will introduce you to the key concepts, theories and approaches in the field and enable you to explore communication in salient domains of intercultural interactions such as business, education and health. You will also complete one core module on Research Methods in Linguistics and English Language, which provides an essential grounding in the research skills you will be using in the programme. Using optional modules, you could focus your programme on a specific area of language and linguistics that is of particular interest and relevance for you including: Cognitive Linguistics; Discourse Studies; Sociolinguistics; Translation (through option modules from the Department of Languages & Cultures). With research groups in corpus studies, discourse studies, language testing, literacy studies, second language learning and teaching, the opportunities for learning extend far beyond the classroom. Past students tell us that the opportunity to participate in the various activities of our research centres and groups is one of the most valuable aspects of studying in the department. This programme requires you to complete a 12,500-word dissertation relating to any area of Intercultural Communication that we teach. Working on your dissertation will help you develop valuable research and transferrable skills regardless of whether you consider continuing to doctoral studies or undertaking other careers. You may opt to complete an extended dissertation (20,000-25,000 words) subject to satisfactory performance on the programme.