MA Linguistics
Programme Specification (PDF)
Aims of the MA programme in Linguistics
The MA in Linguistics aims to give students a thorough grounding in modern
theoretical linguistics. It is suitable both for those with some prior
knowledge of the subject and for appropriately motivated beginners. The former
category includes students whose undergraduate degree included a minority of
linguistic course units, or who have studied linguistics of a more traditional
type elsewhere. The latter category includes good graduates who have
encountered linguistics only indirectly, for instance through psychology,
philosophy, the teaching of English as a foreign language, etc.
The MA in Linguistics is run alongside three more advanced MAs, specializing
in phonology, pragmatics and syntax, respectively.
Content
The programme is designed to give students a basic understanding of the
three core areas of linguistics: phonetics and phonology, syntax, and semantics
and pragmatics. Building on this foundation, it is intended that students will
be able to tailor the programme to meet their personal linguistic interests
either by focusing on one particular area, or by diversifying into other
branches. For example, a student could choose to study an option (such as
language acquisition or the philosophy of language) only indirectly related to
the core areas, and to write his or her dissertation on yet another area (for
instance, computational linguistics). Alternatively, a student could choose to
study an option taken from one of the core areas (such as intonation, advanced
syntactic theory or issues in pragmatics), and to write his or her dissertation
in a related area. As a consequence, students may spend as much as three fifths
or as little as one fifth of their time working in one particular part of the
discipline.
It is essential that every student reach in at least one area a level of
theoretical sophistication that enables him or her to read and understand the
current research literature, and in many cases to produce a dissertation which
contributes to that literature. With this in mind, an integral part of the
training involves exposing the students to current internationally recognised
research in linguistics by members of staff.
A typical one year program is set out below. Possible option topics include:
language acquisition, philosophy of language, computational linguistics,
language and cognition, amongst many others.
There is a weekly MA tutorial during terms 1 and 2. During term 3 and the
summer the tutorials are replaced by individual supervision sessions.
As well as lectures and tutorials that take place within each component, the
MA in Linguistics provides additional tutorial time at which integrational
issues are discussed. The aim is to form links between the different
disciplines, which are inevitably taught separately, and to lead the students
to a broader understanding of the subject.
Assessment
The course is assessed through three exams (for syntax, phonetics &
phonology and logica & pragmatics), a portfolio of coursework for the
optional component and a dissertation. The exams take place in the summer term
(May).
The subject of the dissertation must be approved by the course convenor by 1
May. The completed dissertation (two copies) must be submitted by 15 September.
The length limit for the dissertation is 10,000 words.
Recent dissertation titles for the MA in Linguistics include:
- Brackets and Relevance
- St George and the Unarticulated Constituent.
- Prosodic complexity in SLI
- Explaining code-switching in verbal communication
- Pretending and non-literal communication: Lies,
damned lies and Linguistics
- Pragmatic Principles: Information, Ambiguity and
Context
- The comprehension/production dilemma and Optimality
Theory
- Double dissociations: Evidence for modularity of
mind
- Optimality theory and sound change: A discussion of
nasalization in the history of French
- The perception and production of [2] and [*] by
Hong Kong Cantonese speaking ESL learners
- What is Va-Va-Voom? Metarepresentational use in
Verlan
For more dissertation topics for the MA in Linguistics, please click here.
Reading Suggestions
The following references are intended to give an insight into
the areas that will be studied as part of the taught postgraduate courses in
Linguistics. Some of them are also used as coursebooks.
- General:
Smith, N.V. 1999. Noam Chomsky: Ideas and Ideals.
Phonetics:
Ladefoged, P. 2001. A Course in Phonetics.
Phonology:
Harris, J. 1994. English Sound Structure.
Pragmatics:
Sperber, D & D. Wilson. 1995 (2nd ed.). Relevance.
Syntax:
Haegeman, L. and J. Gueron. 1999. English Grammar.
Teaching staff
Michael Brody, Robyn Carston, John Harris, Dick Hudson, Ad Neeleman, Neil
Smith, Hans van de Koot, Deirdre Wilson and Moira Yip.
Programme details
Length of the program:
the MA begins in late September and last one
calendar year (12 months) full-time or two years part-time.
Entrance requirements:
The MA in Linguistics is a conversion programme,
i.e. it is open to students who have not specialized in linguistics before. A
student who wishes to read for a Master's degree in Linguistics is expected to
have a UK first degree awarded with a first or upper second class Honours or to
have an equivalent qualification. An applicant whose qualifications, although
otherwise acceptable, are of a lower standard, may be admitted if he or she can
show evidence of adequate background and experience in the field. Motivation
will also be taken into consideration.
Qualification to be awarded:
MA in Linguistics
What our students say
"The instructors and administrators are incredibly accessible."
"The academic course has challenged me to think in new ways."
"When I complete my studies at UCL, I know I will be well equipped to enter
the job market, or to continue my studies at a higher 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."
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 email 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