The module is divided into four blocks, each focusing on different applications of linguistics in society.
Block 1 examines how language enables humans to understand the world around them. You’ll consider how children and adults develop language literacies, how individuals construct multilingual identities, and how knowledge is collaboratively produced in today’s digital world.
Block 2 explores the sociocultural and cognitive dimensions of language learning and teaching. You’ll analyse how policies and institutional practices influence communication patterns across different contexts.
Block 3 focuses on translation across languages, styles, and modalities in professional settings like marketing, law, and healthcare. You’ll also explore how people with diverse abilities creatively adapt language to communicate effectively with others.
Block 4 prepares you for your final assessment. You’ll learn how to design and structure a research proposal, conduct an interview and critically reflect on research methodologies.
By studying this module, you’ll strengthen key academic, communicative, and digital literacy skills that will help you successfully complete your postgraduate qualification and professionalise your career. The emphasis is on refining your academic writing, finding your voice, and developing skills to reflect on the broad range of topics covered. You’ll learn to combine evidence-based findings from academic research with your own perspectives and experiences, as well as apply insights to shape your future career.
You’ll learn about the latest concepts, themes and methods used in applied linguistics research and become familiar with current debates in the field and how they relate to wider political, economic and social developments. You’ll also develop an awareness of research ethics and build critical connections between theory and practice. Throughout the module, you’ll enhance your skills for producing and presenting written texts – and develop skills in independently evaluating relevant literature and planning research projects – essential preparation for the final stage of your master’s degree.
The module will appeal to anyone interested in a profession where language plays a central role. This includes administration, advertising, communications, data analysis, education, human resources, journalism, marketing, politics, public relations, publishing, social media management, and tourism. It is also relevant for those who teach English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), English as an additional language (EAL), or English as a foreign language (EFL).
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
L805 is an option module in our:
Sometimes you cannot count a module towards a qualification if you have already counted another module with similar content. To verify any excluded combinations with this module, check with an adviser before registering.
Applying linguistics in society starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2038.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
To study for this postgraduate module you must hold a bachelors degree from a UK university or another recognised degree-awarding body, or a qualification at an equivalent level.
If you are studying towards the MA in Linguistics (F97), you must have successfully completed L804 or have equivalent prior experience.
As our modules are taught in English, your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study in the UK. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you have a minimum score of 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be fully accessible using a screen reader, particularly foreign language materials, where applicable. Other alternative formats of the module materials may become available in the future.
| Start | End | Register by | England fee |
|---|
| 03 Oct 2026 | 30 Jun 2027 | 10 Sep 2026 | Not yet available* |
| *This start date is open for pre-booking, which means you can reserve your place ahead of the fees being confirmed. We’ll publish updated 2026/27 fees and funding information in late March 2026. |
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in England.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate tuition fee loans in Northern Ireland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Scotland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Wales.
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As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
