MA Syntax

Programme Specification (PDF)


Aims of the MA programme in Syntax

In addition to the MA in Linguistics, the department offers three more advanced MAs, in Phonology, Pragmatics and Syntax, respectively.

The MA Syntax is a one-year taught course designed for students with a background in linguistics who wish to pursue an interest in syntax. Although the degree can be an end in itself, this advanced degree programme is an excellent preparation for independent doctoral research in syntax. Applicants with little background in linguistics should apply for the existing MA in Linguistics degree programme.

Both the teaching and assessment of the MA Syntax is strongly research-oriented. The teaching reflects cutting edge developments, with students receiving extensive training in both research methods and the scholarly presentation of ideas. The most important component of the assessment is a dissertation, with the remaining assessments divided between coursework, essays and exams.

Content

The core of the programme is four courses in syntactic theory (two per term), plus a syntax research seminar, and an additional course chosen by the student in consultation with their advisor. In addition students must take one course each in phonology and in pragmatics.

In all courses students are exposed to the primary literature and trained to write short research papers in syntax.

Structure of the full-time programme



Term 1 Term 2 Term 3/summer
Foundational Issues in Syntax Interfaces Dissertation
Current Issues in Syntax Advances & Perspectives in Syntax  
Advanced Phonological Theory A or Current issues in Phonology A Syntax Research Seminar  
Pragmatics Option  


Structure of the two-year part-time programme (example)

Year 1
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3/summer
Foundational Issues in Syntax Interfaces Supervised reading
Pragmatics Option  


Year 2
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3/summer
Current Issues in Syntax Advances & Perspectives in Syntax Dissertation
Advanced Phonological Theory A or Current issues in Phonology A Syntax Research Seminar  


Possible option topics include: optimality-theoretic syntax, language acquisition, computational linguistics, language and cognition, and philosophy of language, amongst many others.

There will be a weekly small group tutorial during terms 1 and 2. During term 3 and the summer the tutorials are replaced by individual supervision sessions.

Assessment

The course is assessed through a mixture of exams and essays, plus the dissertation, with the weighting given below. The three short exams take place at the end of term 1 (December). The other assessments take place in the summer term (May). The dissertation is written over the summer and submitted by 15 September.

Component Weighting
3 short exams covering Foundational Issues in Syntax, Advanced Phonological Theory A and and Pragmatics jointly 10 %
1 exam covering Current Issues in Syntax and Interfaces 20 %
1 essay covering Advances and Perspectives in Syntax (5000 words) 10 %
1 essay covering Syntax Research Seminar (5000 words) 10 %
1 essay covering Option (5000 words) 10 %
Dissertation (10,000- 12,000 words) 40 %
Total 100 %


Teaching staff

Michael Brody, Robyn Carston, John Harris, Dick Hudson, Ad Neeleman, Neil Smith, Hans van de Koot, Deirdre Wilson and Moira Yip.

What our students say

"The MA Syntax course at UCL is quite unique -- both in the sense that very few other universities offer such an opportunity to study the discipline so intensely at Masters level, and in the sense that the contact time which a student spends with each expert tutor is so great. While the department as a whole is small and welcoming, the range of perspectives available within on current syntactic (and, indeed, linguistic) theory is relatively diverse -- something which the course structure of the MA reflects. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in studying syntax beyond first-degree level."

"The quality of teaching and advice has provided me with the support I need, and the enthusiasm of the staff for their subject is truly infectious."

Programme details

Length of the programme: the MA begins in late September and last one calendar year (12 months) full-time or two years part-time.

Entrance requirements: normally, an upper 2nd class BA in Linguistics or equivalent

Scholarships

Please visit http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/financial-matters/scholarships/graduate/index.shtml for an overview of departmental and UCL scholarships and other sources of funding available.

The Department also provides bursaries to cover part of the tuition fees. You can find details on the UCL web site.

Applying

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

Getting more information

If you would like any further information about this programme, then please e-mail us with your contact details at . Alternatively, you may write to us at the following address:

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