Program Overview

Linguistics Postgraduate Diploma

Overview

The Linguistics Postgraduate Diploma programme at QUB enables you to acquire the research skills and subject-specific knowledge that are essential for driving forward your interest in language-focused research. Our Programme is based in the School of Arts, English and Languages and will be taught by specialists who work on English, French, Irish, Breton and community languages. You are welcome to follow either a broad-based programme encompassing, for example, structural and formal aspects of linguistic organisation (e.g. phonetics/phonology, morpho-syntax, lexis, discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, variation and change) and their effects on communication; or you may choose to concentrate on areas such as particular linguistic features in English, French, Irish or Breton, or the role of language policies in relation to minoritised languages or particular types of speech. You will undertake training in research methods so that you can make informed and judicious choices about how to identify, select, capture and analyse linguistic data, and you will learn how to make sense of your data and the results of your analysis. You will choose modules which address key variables in language organisation from theoretical and practical perspectives, and you will have the option to choose modules which complement and enhance your own emerging interests. Throughout the Programme, you will have access to scholars who are experts in their respective fields and whose work is internationally recognised in research rankings and impact, and who work collaboratively to provide you with the academic support and guidance to help you make a success of your work with us. The Linguistics Postgraduate Diploma programme from QUB will equip you with a range of subject-specific and transferable skills which enable you to consider employment in diverse areas, including research in speech and language, education, language policy and heritage, marketing and communication, journalism, translation and interpreting and law.

Course Structure

Postgraduate Diploma students take the two core taught research methods modules (not the dissertation) and 4 x 20 CATS optional modules and exit the programme by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules.

Course Details

• Research Methods 1: Research Design in Linguistics
  • This research preparation module focuses on core research design issues in linguistics (particularly the formulation of research questions and the collection of data). Students are trained to identify gaps in linguistic knowledge, to formulate sound discipline-specific research questions, and to explore the diverse linguistic approaches which might fruitfully be applied to these questions.
  • Credits: 20
  • Module Code: LNG7001
  • Teaching Period: Autumn
  • Duration: 12 weeks
  • Pre-requisite: No
  • Core/Optional: Core
• Research Methods 2: Skills in Linguistic Research and Data Analysis
  • This second research preparation module builds on the core semester 1 module on Research Design by providing students with the knowledge and skills to select and apply data analysis methods.
  • Credits: 20
  • Module Code: LNG7005
  • Teaching Period: Spring
  • Duration: 12 weeks
  • Pre-requisite: Yes
  • Core/Optional: Core
• Corpus Linguistics
  • This module introduces students to the theories, applications and methods of analysis used in corpus linguistics.
  • Credits: 20
  • Module Code: FRH7014
  • Teaching Period: Spring
  • Duration: 12 weeks
  • Pre-requisite: No
  • Core/Optional: Optional
• Syntax: Theory and Analysis
  • This module provides an in-depth exploration of the theoretical foundations of syntax from a modern generative perspective.
  • Credits: 20
  • Module Code: ENL7004
  • Teaching Period: Autumn
  • Duration: 12 weeks
  • Pre-requisite: No
  • Core/Optional: Optional
• Phonetics and Phonology: Concepts and Practices
  • This module provides a thorough grounding in the concepts and practices on which current work in phonetics and phonology is built.
  • Credits: 20
  • Module Code: ENL7003
  • Teaching Period: Autumn
  • Duration: 12 weeks
  • Pre-requisite: No
  • Core/Optional: Optional
• Discourse Analysis: traditional to digital
  • This module introduces students to various ways of approaching Discourse Analysis, a broad sub-discipline of Linguistics.
  • Credits: 20
  • Module Code: ENL7002
  • Teaching Period: Autumn
  • Duration: 12 weeks
  • Pre-requisite: No
  • Core/Optional: Optional
• Discourses of Crime and Deviance
  • This module will analyse discourses of crime and deviance across fictional and non-fictional discourse arena.
  • Credits: 20
  • Module Code: LIB7004
  • Teaching Period: Spring
  • Duration: 12 weeks
  • Pre-requisite: No
  • Core/Optional: Optional

Entrance Requirements

• Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in English, French or Irish Language and/or Linguistics or related discipline.
• Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 15th August 2025 for courses which commence in late September.
• The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL).

International Students

• Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region.
• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI): £4,867
• Republic of Ireland (ROI): £4,867
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £6,167
• EU Other: £14,333
• International: £14,333

Additional Course Costs

• Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
• Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library.
• If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100.
• Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Career Prospects

• Those who graduate from Linguistics programmes routinely enter careers in academia, school-teaching, speech and language therapy, translation, forensic linguistics, language planning and policy, government administration, and museums, cultural and heritage organisations.
• The Postgraduate Diploma in Linguistics from QUB will equip you with a range of subject-specific and transferable skills which enable you to consider employment in diverse areas, including research in speech and language, education, language policy and heritage, marketing and communication, journalism, translation and interpreting and law.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

• In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills.
• For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more.
• So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall.
• We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award.
• It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Learning and Teaching

• Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:
  • Your modules in Linguistics will enable you to work with tutors and other students in the context of small, interactive classes.
  • You will be part of the School’s Centre for Research in Linguistics, and you will be invited to attend seminars and activities organised by the Centre.

Assessment

• Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
  • Awarding of the qualifications is based on continuous assessment of coursework, performance in practical tasks and in-class presentations, depending on module.
  • Assessment tasks are undertaken at various points throughout the relevant academic semester.