MA in Linguistics
Building on its thriving undergraduate programme and its outstanding performance in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, the Department of Linguistics is pleased to invite applications for its new MA programme in Linguistics. We are now accepting applications for September 2012. Priority consideration will be given to applications received before March 2012, but we will continue to accept applications after this date.
The programme is designed to offer students advanced training in the core subject areas of linguistics (Formal Linguistics and Sociolinguistics). Students will be taught by the department's internationally recognised staff, and be part of the vibrant research culture of the department.
The degree also offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in both conducting and applying linguistics research. In addition to their dissertations, all students will have the option to work as a Research Assistant on one of the department's ongoing research projects and/or to take part in a Knowledge Transfer Placement with one of our private or public sector partners.
Programme outline
The programme runs for 12 months (full-time) or 24 months (part-time) and begins annually in September. Students take four modules per semester for two semesters, and spend the summer writing a dissertation.
Upon acceptance, students work with an academic advisor to tailor a programme of study that corresponds to their experience and research interests. We strongly encourage cross-disciplinary interaction and welcome students with diverse interests. Students can aim for a cross-disciplinary programme or choose to specialise in formal linguistics or in sociolinguistics.
The MA combines core and optional modules. Core modules are designed to provide students with advanced, state-of-the-art training in the current ideas, methods and tools of the discipline. Together they provide students with the opportunity to master the necessary skills in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment. In Semester 1, students take three core modules (a survey module taught by all members of staff and two advanced overview courses) and in Semester 2 students take one core module (Dissertation proseminar).
Core modules:
- Topics in linguistic research
- Concepts and consequences in grammatical theory
- Sociolinguistic theory
- Dissertation proseminar
In addition, students select four optional modules for the year (one in the Semester 1 and three in Semester 2). Students will be advised to select methodology options that match their particular areas of interest. We always offer methods modules and normally offer a selection of the other options listed below:
Optional modules:
- Formal methods and theory
- Quantitative methods
- Qualitative methods
- Morphology
- From morpheme to meaning
- The lexicon
- Formal semantics
- The syntax-semantics interface
- Philosophy of language
- Unfamiliar languages and linguistic theory
- Research practicum
- Experimental linguistics
- Applied sociophonetics
- Ethnography of communication
- Language style and stylisation
- Youth language
- Language policy and planning
- Bilingualism
- Pidgins and creoles
- Sex, gender and language
- Topics in the grammar of a language
Teaching for all modules is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and a virtual learning environment, with 2-3 hours of contact time per module per week.
The Research Practicum module is a unique opportunity for students on the MA to work in partnership with either a member of academic staff on one of their current projects or to work with an outside organisation with whom our department has an established arrangement for partnerships. In 2011-12, students did Research Practicum projects in partnership with the British Library and the British Museum, and we also arranged an MA thesis project with links to the BBC Pronunciation Unit. We aim to offer a range of such academic and non-academic partnership options to students each year.
Assessment
A wide variety of assessment techniques will be used, tailored to the learning outcomes of the different modules. These will include poster presentations, technical exercises, critiques of theoretical and methodological proposals in the literature, research reports and essays and extended written analyses of data.
In addition to coursework, students are assessed on a 10,000–12,000 word dissertation. The dissertation is normally an original research project on a linguistic topic that has been agreed with an academic advisor from the department. The dissertation is written over the summer and submitted by mid-September.
Entry requirements
Upper second-class honours (or overseas equivalent) in an undergraduate degree with a significant linguistics component. Applicants who are unsure whether their degree qualifies can contact the Director of Postgraduate Studies for Linguistics (see below).
We welcome applications from international students. Where English is not the applicant's first language, we require an IELTS score of 7.0 with writing at 7.0 (or equivalent on a comparable exam). Please see the College's English language requirements page for more details.
Application information
Full information about application can be found on our School of Languages, Linguistics and Film Postgraduate Studies web page.
Funding information
In 2011-12 there are two limited funding opportunities for students applying to the MA in Linguistics.
(i) Queen Mary £1000 bursaries: These are available to help with tuition fees for home students (UK/EU) graduating from QM in 2012 only and taking up a place on a taught QM Masters programme in 2012/13. See the SLLF funding page for further details of this bursary.
(ii) Philological Society £4000 bursaries (deadline April 30, 2012): Students may apply for these competitive bursaries if they have an offer of a place on a Masters programme in the area of linguistics or philology. See the Philological Society website for further details.
Further information
Dr Devyani Sharma
Convenor of MA in Linguistics
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 8338
Email: