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MSc LANGUAGE SCIENCES

  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months
    Part Time: 24 months
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months
    Part Time: 24 months
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out how we're adapting during COVID-19.

Start date: September 2022

The flexible MSc Language Sciences course is aimed at graduates and professionals working in language-related careers seeking in-depth specialised knowledge in the neuroscience of language, language development or multilingualism​.

The MSc in Language Sciences is ideal for preparing graduates in linguistics, speech and language therapy, psychology, education and allied disciplines for research-related careers in the language sciences. The master's is also appropriate if you are a professional already working in speech and language therapy and would like to update your knowledge of the language sciences.

Leading experts will instruct you on the core areas within the field of language sciences. Building on this core knowledge in linguistics and psycholinguistics, you will have the opportunity to gain in-depth specialised knowledge in one of three dedicated pathways: neuroscience of language, language development, or multilingualism.

  • Neuroscience of language: this pathway will introduce you to current advances in neuroscience research, including functional MRI and electrophysiology of language.
  • Language development: this pathway will focus on language development and disorders, including disorders of fluency and childhood bilingualism.
  • Multilingualism: this pathway provides a flexible multidisciplinary course focusing on linguistic, cognitive and pedagogical aspects of multilingualism, as well as research training in this area.

You will have access to a wide range of facilities for experimental and other empirical work in the language sciences. These include eye-tracking, EEG and MRI facilities, numerous computer labs and clinic rooms. Your chosen pathway will guide which laboratory you work in.

This course includes a placement module which gives you the opportunity to work in one of our research laboratories for course credit. Whilst on placement, you can work on projects within the fields of psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics, multilingualism, language development and language impairment.

Research impact

The University is host to the Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism (CeLM) and the Centre for Integrated Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN). Both of these world-class research centres inform our teaching, and staff from both CINN and CeLM teach on the master's.

The MSc in Language Sciences reflects the cutting-edge work carried out by key members of staff. Our research encompasses fields such as language processing in monolingual and multilingual environments; the neuroscience of language and multilingualism; and the development of cognition and its relation to language at the beginning and end of the lifespan. We also have strong expertise in all areas of psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics; fluency disorders; monolingual, bilingual and multilingual language acquisition and processing; as well as in impaired language/literacy abilities and sensory perception in children with developmental disorders, including autism, dyslexia, Down's Syndrome, specific language impairment, Williams Syndrome, and acquired disorders in adulthood, for instance aphasia and Alzheimer’s/dementia.

Accreditation

This course is recognised as a member of the Linguistics Pathway for the ESRC South East Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS). SeNSS provides funding for UK and EU students interested in PhD research. This means that students on the MSc Languages Sciences who are interested in continuing on to PhD studies are eligible to apply for PhD funding via the SenSS Linguistics Pathway.

For more information, please visit SeNSS.

Funding

There are four International Excellence Scholarships awards, to the value of £2,500 for students from outside the EU. For more information, please visit the Psychology international students page.

For more information, please visit the School of Psychology's website.

Overview

The flexible MSc Language Sciences course is aimed at graduates and professionals working in language-related careers seeking in-depth specialised knowledge in the neuroscience of language, language development or multilingualism​.

The MSc in Language Sciences is ideal for preparing graduates in linguistics, speech and language therapy, psychology, education and allied disciplines for research-related careers in the language sciences. The master's is also appropriate if you are a professional already working in speech and language therapy and would like to update your knowledge of the language sciences.

Leading experts will instruct you on the core areas within the field of language sciences. Building on this core knowledge in linguistics and psycholinguistics, you will have the opportunity to gain in-depth specialised knowledge in one of three dedicated pathways: neuroscience of language, language development, or multilingualism.

  • Neuroscience of language: this pathway will introduce you to current advances in neuroscience research, including functional MRI and electrophysiology of language.
  • Language development: this pathway will focus on language development and disorders, including disorders of fluency and childhood bilingualism.
  • Multilingualism: this pathway provides a flexible multidisciplinary course focusing on linguistic, cognitive and pedagogical aspects of multilingualism, as well as research training in this area.

You will have access to a wide range of facilities for experimental and other empirical work in the language sciences. These include eye-tracking, EEG and MRI facilities, numerous computer labs and clinic rooms. Your chosen pathway will guide which laboratory you work in.

This course includes a placement module which gives you the opportunity to work in one of our research laboratories for course credit. Whilst on placement, you can work on projects within the fields of psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics, multilingualism, language development and language impairment.

Research impact

The University is host to the Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism (CeLM) and the Centre for Integrated Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN). Both of these world-class research centres inform our teaching, and staff from both CINN and CeLM teach on the master's.

The MSc in Language Sciences reflects the cutting-edge work carried out by key members of staff. Our research encompasses fields such as language processing in monolingual and multilingual environments; the neuroscience of language and multilingualism; and the development of cognition and its relation to language at the beginning and end of the lifespan. We also have strong expertise in all areas of psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics; fluency disorders; monolingual, bilingual and multilingual language acquisition and processing; as well as in impaired language/literacy abilities and sensory perception in children with developmental disorders, including autism, dyslexia, Down's Syndrome, specific language impairment, Williams Syndrome, and acquired disorders in adulthood, for instance aphasia and Alzheimer’s/dementia.

Accreditation

This course is recognised as a member of the Linguistics Pathway for the ESRC South East Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS). SeNSS provides funding for UK and EU students interested in PhD research. This means that students on the MSc Languages Sciences who are interested in continuing on to PhD studies are eligible to apply for PhD funding via the SenSS Linguistics Pathway.

For more information, please visit SeNSS.

Funding

There are four International Excellence Scholarships awards, to the value of £2,500 for students from outside the EU. For more information, please visit the Psychology international students page.

For more information, please visit the School of Psychology's website.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for 2022 entry have not yet been confirmed. Entry requirements for 2021 entry were:

IELTS: 7.0 overall with no element less than 6.5 (or equivalent).

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2.1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK, in a related field such as linguistics, psychology, medical sciences or education. Evidence of recent study is normally required if the first degree was completed more than four years ago.

Structure

Compulsory modules

  • Foundations of Grammar
  • Language Processing
  • Placement
  • Project Preparation
  • Research and Dissertation

Optional modules

  • Neuroscience of Language
  • Introduction to Speech and Language Pathology
  • Child Language Acquisition
  • Multilingualism and Impairment Across the Lifespan
  • Phonetics and Phonology
  • Clinical Phonetics and Phonology
  • Theoretical and Clinical Aspects of Anomia

Please note that all modules are subject to change. Please see our modules disclaimer for more information.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year

New international students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government's guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

The MSc in Language Sciences prepares students for doctoral research across the range of language sciences and a career as a research scientist. The combination of linguistics knowledge, training in statistics and strong analytical skills acquired in this course is also particularly applicable to careers involving research management, such as government and market research, as well as in education and health.

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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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