MA Linguistics

Study the nuts and bolts of language: sound systems, word structure, sentence structure, and how meaning is conveyed. Learn about the different theories that have been proposed to account for human linguistic ability. In this degree you will learn what human languages share, and where they differ.

Our course will interest you if you want a formal and empirical grounding in all core areas of linguistics, and are keen to evaluate the major theoretical approaches in these disciplines.

You study topics including:

• Theoretical and descriptive phonology
• Syntactic theory
• Pragmatics
• Semantics
• Phonetics

Our optional modules are in the related fields of applied linguistics, psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics.

We are 1st in the UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021). We are also ranked top 25 in the UK for linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome to Essex.

Our expert staff

Our staff are internationally renowned and our research has demonstrable impact, leading to our department being recognised as 1st in terms of research impact (REF 2021). We maintain excellent student-staff ratios, and we integrate language learning with linguistics wherever there is synergy.

In theoretical linguistics, Kyle Jerro and Hannah Gibson work on the structure of words and sentences, focusing on English and other languages while Faith Chiu, Yuni Kim and Nancy Kula work on sound structure.

In sociolinguistics Enam Al Wer, Ella Jeffries and Amanda Cole all work on different aspects of how language varies, and investigate which factors cause such variation. Rebecca Clift works on conversation analysis; the investigation of naturally-occurring talk and its integration with embodiment in interaction.

In applied linguistics Karen Roehr-Brackin and Adela Gánem-Gutiérrez focus on the learning of second and further languages, whilst Tracey Costley, Christina Gkonou, Neophytos Mitsigkas and Nasser Jabbari focus on issues to do with the classroom teaching of English as a foreign language.

In psycholinguistics, Claire Delle Luche and Laurie Lawyer use experimental techniques such as eyetracking and EEG to understand how children learn language, how adults process language, and what happens when language ability is impaired by brain disorders or other factors (e.g. hearing impairment).

In all of these areas, we combine a theoretical approach with high-level, qualitative and quantitative, empirical and experimental technique; in particular, we have a strong interest in recent developments in inferential statistics.

Specialist facilities

The study of linguistics provides the opportunity for plenty of hands-on experience as well as theoretical work. You might be listening to interviews, studying language processing, or analysing sounds, so we provide extensive facilities to allow you to fully engage with a wide variety of linguistics methods:

• Our Eye-Tracking Lab has equipment for monitoring responses times and eye movements when individuals are presented with pictures and videos.
• Our Psycholinguistics Lab has computing facilities for measuring how long it takes individuals to reach to words, texts and sounds.
• Our Linguistics Lab is where we run behavioural experiments.
• Our EEG Lab is used for recording brain activity during reading, listening or watching video of language materials.

Within our department we also offer:

• An exciting programme of research seminars and other events
• Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost
• Our Albert Sloman Library houses a strong collection of books, journals, electronic resources and major archives.
• Meet other language enthusiasts through out student-run Linguistics Society.

Your future

Our course can lead to careers in areas such as academic research, publishing, journalism, administration, public service and teaching. You develop key employability skills including research design, data analysis, thinking analytically, report writing and public speaking.

We work with the University's Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Within our Department of Language and Linguistics, we also offer supervision for PhD and MPhil. We offer supervision in areas including language acquisition, language learning and language teaching, culture and communication, psycholinguistics, language disorders, sociolinguistics, and theoretical and descriptive linguistics.

Our graduates are successful in a wide variety of career paths. They leave Essex with a unique set of skills and experience that are in demand by employers.

“As a mature student returning to education, I completed both my Bachelors and Masters degrees at Essex before deciding to study for my PhD. Over the few years I have been here, I have developed a strong interest in linguistics and the staff in my department have been tremendously supportive."

Deana Carey, BA English Language and Linguistics, MA English Language and Linguistics, PhD Linguistics

UK entry requirements

A 2.2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:

• Education
• English Language and Literature
• English Language Studies
• Linguistics
• Modern Languages
• Teaching

You may also be considered with a lower-class degree, or an unrelated 2:2 degree if you have teaching experience.