MA Phonology

Programme Specification (PDF)

Aims of the MA programme in Phonology

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

Both the teaching and assessment of the MA in Phonology are 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 phonological theory (two per term), plus the phonology reading group, and an additional course chosen by the student in consultation with their advisor. In addition, students must take one course each in syntax and in pragmatics, since phonological phenomena can often only be understood in a larger linguistic context. These courses also build bridges between the MA Phonology, its sister MA in Syntax and the MA Linguistics.

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

Students wishing to combine their phonology specialism with an interest in phonetics can take Introduction to Speech and Hearing in Term 1 and a phonetics option in Term 2. The phonology courses are also available as options to students studying for the MA in Phonetics or the MSc in Speech and Hearing Science.

Structure of the full-time programme


Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Advanced Phonological Theory A

Current Issues in Phonology A or
Introduction to Speech and Hearing

Foundational Issues in Syntax or
Current Issues in Syntax

Pragmatics
Advanced Phonological Theory B

Current Issues in Phonology B


Phonology Research Seminar


Option
Dissertation


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

Year 1:
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Advanced Phonological Theory A

Pragmatics
Advanced Phonological Theory B

Option
Supervised Reading


Year 2:
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Current Issues in Phonology A or
Introduction to Speech and Hearing

Foundational Issues in Syntax or
Current Issues in Syntax

Current Issues in Phonology B


Phonology Research Seminar


Dissertation

Possible option topics include: language acquisition, computational linguistics, language and cognition, philosophy of language and optimality-theoretic syntax, 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 Advanced Phonological Theory B and Current Issues in Phonology A 20 %
1 essay covering Current Issues in Phonology B (5000 words) 10 %
1 essay covering Phonology Research Seminar (5000 words) 10 %
1 essay covering Option (5000 words) 10 %
Dissertation (minimum 10000 words) 40 %
Total 100 %


Teaching staff

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

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."

Programme details

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

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

Qualification to be awarded:
MA in Phonology

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