MA (Res) Applied Linguisitcs

The ideal research training for doctoral studies

The MA (Res) in Applied Linguistics is specifically designed to offer training to those wishing to embark on doctoral research in Applied Linguistics.

The MA (Res) in Applied Linguistics provides students with a background in applied linguistics, especially the areas with which they will be concerned in their doctoral research. It also offers all students extensive training in research methods in the social sciences generally as well as in applied linguistics. It provides a wide range of transferable skills relevant to language research, communication skills and project management. The degree involves a mandatory research training module, worth 30 credits, 2 option modules of 30 credits each, as well as a 20,000 word dissertation module, which is worth 90 credits.

Once a UK or EU student has taken the MA (Res), she or he can apply for an ESRC or AHRC studentship. The University of Reading also offers studentships to those intending to apply to the ESRC, AHRC or ORS schemes.

Students typically have higher qualifications (a BA at a good Upper Second or First Class level or equivalent, or a Masters) in a language- or linguistics-related area, such as English language, psychology or linguistics. Most students intend to go on to do research.

The MA (Res) in Applied Linguistics does not presuppose strong subject-specific knowledge, but aims to help students achieve this by the end of the programme.

Course Director: Paul Thompson