You will combine advanced study in historical and modern aspects of English language and English linguistics.This Masters provides career opportunities in research, teaching, publishing and lexicography among others. The MSc is accredited by the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and forms part of the training programme of the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) Scottish Doctoral Training Centre.

Programme overview

• MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

You will learn through a combination of lectures, regular supervisions, formative essay writing and attendance at supplementary classes and seminars. Assessment includes a portfolio of essays.

You will undertake a number of core courses in historical and modern English Language and English Linguistics, including

• Phonetics
• Sociolinguistics
• Medieval English Studies
• Dialectology.

You can also take courses on offer in other MLitt programmes in the College of Arts, eg Medieval & Renaissance Studies, Classics.

You will also take courses in research skills and methods.

The second half of the programme is dedicated to your individual dissertation work, under the guidance of two assigned supervisors.

Career prospects

Career opportunities include teaching, publishing and lexicography.

Academic entry requirements

We normally expect applicants to have obtained a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above).

Please include a 200-word statement on why you wish to take the MSc in English Language and Linguistics; a sample of your own written work (approx. 2,000 words). This can be from a previous degree you have completed. You are required to submit material that is entirely your own original work, except where clearly indicated.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 7.0
• no sub-test less than 7.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 100; no sub-test less than 24
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): A minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): B minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 68; minimum 60 in writing

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

For 2013-14

MSc