School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, Department of Linguistics & Centre for Translation Studies

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Start date
Duration
1 year
Attendance mode
Full-time or part-time
Location
On Campus
Fees

Home: £12,220
International: £25,320

Course code
Q1U8
Entry requirements

We will consider all applications with 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

 

See international entry requirements and English language requirements

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SOAS’s MA Linguistics programme is unique in its focus on the languages of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as the communities who speak them and are working to support and revitalise them.

With its unrivalled concentration of expertise in the languages of these regions, the SOAS MA Linguistics programme offers students a thorough grounding in linguistic research methods, along with a rich variety of optional modules ranging from core theoretical topics in phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics, to historical and typological linguistics, to sociolinguistics, language planning and language revitalisation. 

The modular nature of the programme means that it is suitable both for those with little or no previous linguistic training, and those with a degree in linguistics who wish to extend their knowledge into the linguistics and sociolinguistics of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern languages.

Why study Linguistics at SOAS?

  • SOAS is ranked in the UK Top 10 in the 2023 QS World University Rankings for Linguistics
  • Top 100 in the world in the 2023 QS World University Rankings for Linguistics
  • SOAS is ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023).
  • Modern Languages and Linguistics at SOAS has been ranked 10th in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
  • We are ranked 4th for research environment - with 100% of our research ranked as 'internationally excellent' and 85% as 'world-leading' - and 8th for research outputs in the REF 2021.

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Students on the MA Linguistics take 180 credits, 60 credits are from a dissertation and 120 credits from taught modules.

Students may choose 30 credits from the list of approved language open options.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Core

Compulsory

Guided Options List A

Minimum of 75 credits from List A. A further 30 credits can be selected, dependent on selection from Open options.

Open options

Students can take a maximum of 30 credits from the School-wide open options list, including languages.

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The MA Linguistics programme can be taken full-time over one calendar year or part-time over two or three years (daytime only). The taught part of the programme consists of core lectures which introduce basic concepts, theory and methodology; and additional seminars which extend the core material into other areas. A 10,000-word dissertation written over the summer offers students the opportunity to develop original research in an area of special interest.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

  • Acquiring a solid foundation in the ‘core’ areas of theoretical linguistics, syntax, phonology and semantics.
  • Familiarity with the basic concepts and assumptions of different theoretical frameworks in the discipline, and the ability to critically question and evaluate these assumptions.
  • Familiarity with the relevant conventions and methodology applicable to work with both raw linguistic data and linguistic descriptions.
  • Opportunity to specialise in the area of interest.
  • The student will have the opportunity of gaining knowledge or further knowledge of one or more Asian, Middle Eastern and African languages.

Intellectual (thinking) skills

  • The ability to formulate appropriate linguistic problems, propose and evaluate analyses and present evidence (for and/or against) these analyses.
  • Knowledge of how to assess data and evidence critically from the literature and original sources, how to formulate analyses and arguments within the system of concepts and assumptions in the discipline, how to solve problems of conflicting sources and conflicting interpretations.

Subject-based practical skills

  • Practising research techniques in specialised research libraries and through consultant work.
  • Retrieving and selecting information from a variety of linguistic sources such as specialised papers and reference grammars.
  • Student will have strong practical language skills which will help them in any context where the language is used and which will also be of benefit if they need to learn another language in the future.

Transferrable skills

  • Training in locating materials and using research sources (library holdings, ‘raw’ language data, periodicals, internet).
  • Structuring and communicating ideas effectively in writing
  • Questioning, understanding and evaluating competing proposals

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

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Graduates of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with skills in written and oral communication, analysis and problem solving.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

  • Africa Matters
  • Amnesty International
  • Arab British Chamber of Commerce
  • BBC World Service
  • British High Commission
  • Council for British Research in the Levant
  • Department for International Development
  • Edelman
  • Embassy of Jordan
  • Ernst & Young
  • Foreign & Commonwealth Office
  • Google
  • Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies
  • Middle East Eye
  • Saïd Foundation
  • TalkAbout Speech Therapy
  • The Black Curriculum
  • The Telegraph
  • United Nations Development Programme
  • UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
  • Wall Street Journal

Find out about our Careers Service.

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