English Language and Linguistics MA

Program Overview

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English Language and Linguistics MA

Overview

The English Language and Linguistics MA explores the linguistic features of English from theoretical, applied, synchronic and diachronic perspectives. Our course will enable you to understand and evaluate critically a wide spectrum of ideas in the study of the English language, particularly in connection with linguistic variation in terms of space, time, communicative context and linguistic contact. It will also equip you with the intellectual perspectives and scholarly skills to conduct independent research.

Course Structure

• Duration: 2 years
• Attendance: Part-time day - January 2026, Full-time - September 2025, Part-time day - September 2025, Full-time - January 2026, Full-time - September 2026, Part-time day - September 2026
• UK Fees: £4,850 *
• International Fees: £8,750 *
• Alumni Discount: See details
• Campus: Regent, Central London

Course Summary

The MA is for you if you've taken English language and/or linguistics modules at undergraduate level, or if you've studied allied disciplines such as psychology, philosophy or TESOL. It's of particular interest if you're wishing to pursue further study, or if you're teaching English and wish to gain a further qualification and investigate current developments in the field.

If studying the degree full-time, you'll complete 180 credits in one academic year; if part-time, you'll normally complete 180 credits in two academic years. You'll study four core modules (including a 60-credit dissertation on a topic of English language and/or linguistics), as well as two modules from the list of options.

Core Modules

Dissertation

Development, execution, and writing-up of an independent research project on a topic chosen by you. All students will attend regular research seminars. Individual supervision will provide topic-specific guidance.

English Worldwide

This module examines in detail English in its multiple varieties and multiple uses in the world: native, nativised and non-native varieties, regional variation within larger speech communities, use by monolinguals and multilinguals, and register differences according to use and user. Furthermore, it gives you the opportunity to carry out original empirical work relating to the concepts and methods they are acquiring.

Language and Learning: Description and Analysis

This module introduces and encourages in-depth exploration of core concepts in the description and analysis of language with specific reference to English language teaching. The module also introduces and encourages in-depth exploration of core concepts in language learning with specific reference to second language acquisition and the implications of these concepts for the language teacher. The module is divided into two units: the first on language description and analysis; the second on language learning.

Multilingualism: Concepts and Applications

This module introduces you to the major theoretical frameworks for studying language contact by exploring the different processes, causes, types, effects, and outcomes that emerge from contact contexts: e.g. bilingualism, pidginization, creolisation, diglossia, borrowing, code-switching, linguistic change. The module adopts a cross-linguistic perspective and will include contexts ranging from dominant language ecologies to cases of severe language endangerment.

Option Modules

Analysing Spoken and Written Discourse

This module offers a range of different linguistic tools for exploring texts. They are analysed for lexical and grammatical cohesion, metonymy and metaphor, and register and thematic progression (Hallidayan functional grammar). Texts are also analysed using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Multimodal Discourse Analysis (MDA). You will acquire a theoretical understanding of the main approaches to discourse analysis, and the practical skills for carrying out these analyses on real texts. You will also gain a broader awareness of how written discourse is constructed by comparing it to spoken discourse, and by discussing it in terms of more general semiotic and communication theories.

Language and Gender

This module critically considers different approaches to the sociolinguistic study of language and gender. This includes knowledge of theoretical frameworks used to understand why and how sex and gender can be viewed as significant social categories in relation to language use. The module also aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to carry out independent empirical investigations in the field of language and gender research.

Language in Society

You'll critically explore concepts and issues in sociolinguistics; research methods; languages and factors such as age, class, gender, ethnicity; language variation, choice, planning, change; language in face-to-face interaction.

Languages for Specific Purposes

The module introduces you to Languages for Specific Purposes (LSP) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP). The module examines the different requirements in terms of needs, aspirations, and appropriate modes of instruction and assessment, of different types of language learner. It will enable you to add to your existing ELT knowledge and experience, and to engage meaningfully in relevant LSP/ESP developments.

Careers

A Route to an Academic Career

Studying our MA will give you sophisticated analytical skills and a widely applicable knowledge base, which will enable you to study at MPhil or PhD levels.

Choose from a Variety of Career Paths

Our course prepares you for a variety of careers involving language and communication, particularly in the creative and cultural industries.

Employers Around the World

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Graduate Employers

Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:

• BBC
• Bergahn Books
• Hamdard University, Bangladesh
• Kingston Grammar School
• The Pratt Institute, New York

Job Roles

This course will prepare you for a variety of roles, including:

• Content writer
• Copy editor
• Editorial assistant
• Production assistant
• Proofreader
• Research assistant
• Teacher in mainstream schools
• Teacher of English to speakers of other languages

Westminster Employability Award

Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.

The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.

Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.

Course Leader

Dr Petros Karatsareas

Petros is Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics at the School of Humanities. He specialises in multilingualism focusing on the languages of the UK’s minority ethnic communities. He explores the factors that play a role in intergenerational transmission and maintenance, looking specifically at ideologies of monolingualism, attitudes towards multilingualism, and attitudes towards non-prestigious linguistic varieties. He addresses these issues based on his research on London’s Greek Cypriot diaspora.

Petros teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules in multilingualism and languages of London, language contact, history of the English language, morphology as well as introductory modules in linguistics. He also holds the role of Global Engagement Coordinator for the School and he is also Co-Director of the Cyprus Centre at Westminster.

Course Team

• Dr Andrew Caink - Principal Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics
• Dr Charles Denroche - Senior Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics
• Dr Petros Karatsareas - Reader
• Dr Jonathan Kasstan - Lecturer in French and Linguistics
• Dr Heather Pagan - Senior Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics
• Dr Sylvia Shaw - Senior Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics
• Dr Sean Sutherland - Senior Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics
• Dr Anand Syea - Reader in English Language and Linguistics
• Professor Louise Sylvester - Professor of English Language

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a relevant discipline including English language, linguistics or TESOL.
• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in all components.

Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience

If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.

Application Process

Visit our How to apply page for more information on:

• The application process
• What you need to apply
• Deadlines for application

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £4,850 (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: £8,750 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Paying Your Fees

If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.

Find out more about paying your fees.

Alumni Discount

This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.

Funding

There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).

Find out more about postgraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional Costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How You’ll Be Taught

Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into two broad categories:

• Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
• Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

Year

Year

1

12% Scheduled hours 88% Independent study 0% Placement

Year

2

8% Scheduled hours 92% Independent study 0% Placement

Scheduled hours Independent study Placement

How You’ll Be Assessed

Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories:

• Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
• Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Year

Year

1

0% Written exams 0% Practical 100% Coursework

Year

2

0% Written exams 6% Practical 94% Coursework

Written exams Practical Coursework

Data from the academic year 2024/25

Research Groups

Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.

Find out more about our research groups related to this course:

• HOMELandS (Hub on Migration, Exile, Languages and Spaces)
• Westminster Forum for Languages and Linguistics

Supporting You

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course Location

Our Regent Campus is composed of three sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.

Our Humanities subjects are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.

For more details, visit our locations page.

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