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MA in Linguistics - Learning Outcomes

Educational aims

This qualification aims to provide you with:

  • an appreciation of how language works (its form and structure) combined with an awareness of how language use is influenced by historical, social, and cultural contexts (its function in the wider world). Considering how language works across a range of different personal and professional contexts, you will develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between language and society
  • an overview of contemporary issues in linguistics, with a specific focus on language use in real-world contexts, including online communication (applied linguistics pathway) and/or the electronic mediation of language and the computational analysis of language data (AI pathway).
  • the ability to understand and evaluate (sometimes conflicting) arguments, becoming a critical consumer and user of language
  • the ability to develop, evaluate and communicate your own ideas and knowledge of linguistics by synthesising materials from a range of different sources, using them to express your ideas in a succinct and cogent way
  • the opportunity to develop practical skills in online interaction, computer-assisted data analysis, and close text analysis.

Learning outcomes

The programme provides you with opportunities to develop and demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and skills in the following areas.

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this masters degree, you will have knowledge and understanding of the:

  • key concepts and themes in linguistics and their application to practice in a range of contexts
  • concepts, current debates and issues in the studied pathway and their relationship to wider political, economic and social developments
  • ethical issues relating to research and enquiry
  • processes entailed in carrying out a small-scale research enquiry
  • links between theory and practice that would enable you to investigate an area of your interest.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this masters degree you will be able to:

  • define and appropriately utilise key terms, concepts and theories in linguistics and your chosen pathway
  • identify and articulate your personal perspective on learning in response to your understanding of new ideas and your encounters with relevant studies
  • critically analyse and evaluate current themes and issues in linguistics, using appropriate concepts and research evidence
  • interpret, assess, and deploy research methodologies to engage critically and creatively with debates relevant to the development of your own professional thinking.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this masters degree you will be able to:

  • plan, analyse, develop and produce a research proposal or plan, conduct, analyse and report a small-scale investigation
  • reflect critically and constructively, in the light of ideas and frameworks presented in the course, on your own thinking, practice and organisational impact and how these might be developed
  • produce original texts to communicate ideas concisely and effectively in written work which shows clear expression and coherent structure
  • take personal responsibility to complete an extended and varied programme of learning which requires sustained and independent application
  • use information and communication technology appropriately for information retrieval and communication purposes
  • manage your own learning and plan your professional development.

Key skills

On completion of this masters degree you will be able to:

  • independently source and read academic publications with confidence
  • appraise, review critically and reflexively formulate arguments relevant your area of study
  • critically reflect on an area of your own practice
  • produce and present written text employing a suitable writing style appropriate to the specific academic genre and that uses and cites source materials correctly and appropriately
  • demonstrate familiarity with suitable software and tools, including corpora, electronic dictionaries, and/or tools for the development and analysis of artificial intelligence.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

Materials are delivered online only. You will have opportunities to enhance your learning by engaging with fellow students, tutors and members of the module team via online tutorials, guest lectures, and online forums.

Assessment is designed to include a range of formative and summative tasks appropriate to the stage. This includes written assignments, presentations, group work, online activities, independent study and project work. The final module will include a dissertation project.

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