Overview

Our research master's in English Language and/or Linguistics is largely based around your own research interests. We'll prepare you for further research within and beyond academia. You'll be fully supported by experts situated in one of the largest centres for linguistics research in Europe.

The individually tailored course contains some taught modules. It mostly consists of smaller, independently conducted research assignments and a larger research dissertation at the end. The topics are chosen by you, in consultation with your supervisor.

We offer supervision in the following areas:

Linguistic theory

• syntactic theory and comparative syntax
• phonological theory
• morphophonology and morphosyntax
• philosophy of language
• philosophy of linguistics
• architecture of the language faculty

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course during COVID-19

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.

View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information

What you'll learn

Taught modules aim to extend your knowledge and skills beyond undergraduate level and help to develop your research skills.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

English Language MLitt and/or Modules for Linguistics MLitt modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
English MLitt Research Assignments	80
English MLitt Dissertation	80
Research methods for IPhD students	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, your study will typically consist mainly of:

• seminars
• tutorials
• independent learning supported by research training

The course is made up of 180 credits:

• 20 credits for research training modules
• 80 credits for a 16-24,000-word dissertation, which is written in the spring/summer for full-time students or in the second year for part-time students
• the remaining 80 credits are chosen by you and your supervisors to suit your needs and preferences

You may also take part in lectures and seminars (not the assessments) for approved taught undergraduate and postgraduate modules, or you may choose to study modules from Linguistics MA. The taught modules and research assignments will prepare you for your dissertation and you have the flexibility to choose one assignment unrelated to the main focus of your studies.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Practical lab report
• Research proposal
• Written exercise

Postgraduate student support

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• wellbeing
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Your development

Research skills

The Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences (CRiLLS) is one of the largest centres for linguistic research in Europe. You'll have a unique opportunity to acquire a wide range of methodologies and exposure to diverse theoretical perspectives to enrich your own research. We have a wide range of research supervisors you can work with.

We offer subject-specific research training, including specialised practical workshops on statistical packages and software used in corpus linguistic methodologies. This specific training complements the research training programme you will be part of as a postgraduate research student.

Student work-in-progress meetings

Our 'student work in progress' meetings give you the opportunity to present your work to a student audience. You'll get instant feedback and discussions around your research.

Special interests groups

Our special interests groups also facilitate researchers with common interests to share ideas, develop new skills and gain feedback on their work. The groups meet regularly and include topics like:

• language variation and change
• theoretical phonology
• corpus linguistics
• syntax
• language and cognition

Guest lectures

Internationally renowned linguistic researchers have previously given guest lectures, recent speakers include:

• Professor Ellen Bialystok, York University, Toronto
• Professor J K Chambers, University of Toronto
• Professor David Pesetsky, MIT
• Professor Elizabeth Closs Traugott, Stanford University

Your future

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is a lively and diverse community with over 700 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates.

We are based in the Percy Building. Our purpose-built postgraduate suite includes:

• several dedicated computer clusters
• meeting rooms
• a kitchen
• lounge area

Find out more about the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics

Members of the Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences also have a dedicated space. This space provides a range of resources, including access to:

• linguistics software (eg Childes, Clan, Elan, Praat)
• linguistic corpora (eg DECTE, ICE, ICAME)
• specialised equipment such as the eye tracker

The award-winning Philip Robinson Library has an extensive audio-visual collection.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2022 entry (per year)

PGR Home fee note

Home fees for research degree students

For 2022-23 entry, we have aligned our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

For 2023-24 entry, we will again be aligning our standard Home research fees with those set by UKRI. The standard fee will be confirmed in Spring 2023 by UKRI.

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• additional costs
• living costs
• tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The applicant portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the applicant portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events