MRes in Speech, Language and Cognition

The new interdisciplinary MRes in Speech, Language and Cognition is aimed at applicants whose interest in language spans more than one discipline. Building on a first degree in linguistics, speech sciences, psychology, cognitive science, or a cognate discipline, students plan their own course of study (with the guidance of an advisor), selecting from a range of courses in several different UCL departments. The degree is a stand-alone 12-month Masters, but is also excellent preparation for PhD research in a language-related field of study.

Aims of the Programme:

The MRes will allow individually-tailored choices from full range of UCL's graduate courses in language and communication, including:

All students will take obligatory courses in personal and professional research practice. Completion of the MRes may prepare students to undertake a PhD in a language-related area. For suitable students, this MRes may also form the basis of a 1+3 or 4 year PhD programme in one of the contributing departments.

The degree is designed to be highly flexible, and the student will plan a programme that suits their individual needs under the supervision of an advisor. All students will be matched with a suitable advisor at the start of the degree.

Structure

The degree has four main components:

M.F Foundation Course

A range of courses in personal and professional research skills.

M.1 Research Methods

Seminars and workshops to develop critical analysis skills appropriate to this research area; recognize and select appropriate methodologies for specific purposes, including computational techniques; select and use specific software; master appropriate statistical methods. Choice of course dependent on prior background, consult your tutor for advice. Statistics options are explained here.

M.2 Theoretical Frameworks in Speech, Language and Cognition

Candidates choose four topic areas from the following fields of study. Not all options will necessarily be available every year.

M.3 Research Project

A dissertation of not more than 10,000 words. May be (a)Lab-based, (b)fieldwork-based, (c)library-based, or (d)computational modeling. For guidance on psychology research projects, see the following:

   http://www.psychol.ucl.ac.uk/courses/msc/researchmethods/empirical.htm

M.4 Research Plan

Typical Full-Time Programme

TERM 1	TERM 2	TERM 3
MF Foundation course M1 Research methods: statistics M2 Two theoretical courses	M1 Research methods: data analysis M2 Two theoretical courses M4 Research plan	M3 Summer labs and dissertation

Typical Part-Time Programme

First Year TERM 1	TERM 2	TERM 3
MF Foundation course: PPMS M1 Research methods: statistics M2 One theoretical course	M1 Research methods: data analysis M2 One theoretical course	Directed reading Part-time labs Start M3 research plan
Second Year
MF Foundation course: IMR M2 Two theoretical courses	Complete M3 research plan Start dissertation	Part-time labs Complete dissertation

Assessment

The programme has one foundation area and four main study areas, all of which are obligatory. These areas are not equally weighted in terms of taught/independent study hours. Candidates must offer MF, M1, four topic areas chosen from M2, plus M3 and M4.

Students are required to achieve an average mark of at least 50% in each assessment, although a mark of 40-49% may be condoned for one essay in M2.
For award of Distinction, students are required to achieve an average mark of at least 70% on the PhD plan and the research project.

Teaching Staff

Entrance Requirements

Normally, an upper 2nd class BA or BSc in a language-related area such as linguistics, speech sciences, psychology, cognitive science, or a cognate discipline.

Scholarships

• ESRC 1+3 Scholarships

  One ESRC studentships for the academic year commencing October 2007 will be available. ESRC studentships provide up to four years full funding for post-graduate training, the first year of which would be the MRes. Contact Richard Breheny, richardb@ling ucl.ac.uk for full details. Full details.

• Centre for Human Communication Award for Students in the MRes in Speech, Language and Cognition

  One award of £500 is available for the MRes in Speech, Language and Cognition administered by the Department of Phonetics and Linguistics on behalf of the Centre for Human Communication.

  Deadline:15 May

  Application Procedure:

  Applicants should write indicating their intention to compete for the bursary to:

  Ms Stefanie Anyadi
  Department of Phonetics and Linguistics
  University College London
  Gower Street
  London WC1E 6BT.
  
  Tel: +44 (0) 20 7679 7172
  Fax: +44 (0) 20 7383 4108
  E-mail: s.anyadi@ling.ucl.ac.uk

• Other sources of funding
  For an overview of other sources of funding available for graduates, please visit the UCL financial site.
  
  

Applying

To apply for this MRes, please visit the UCL graduate application and admission page.

More Information

If you would like any further information about this programme, please contact Richard Breheny at richardb@ling.ucl.ac.uk or email stefanie@ling.ucl.ac.uk with your details. Alternatively, you may write to the following address:

Graduate Admissions
Department of Phonetics and Linguistics
UCL
Gower Street
London WC1E 6BT
UK