Program Overview

Program Overview

The Applied Linguistics (Online) MA program is designed for individuals interested in advancing their understanding of language and taking English teaching to the next level. This flexible, fully online course fits around students' lives, allowing them to learn while working anywhere in the world.

Course Structure

The part-time course runs over 2.5 years, with several course start dates available: October, December, February, April, or July. A full-time, on-campus program is also available over one year.

Course Highlights

• Study anywhere in the world with a global Top 40 department for Linguistics (QS World University Rankings 2025).
• Flexible, fully online course designed to fit around work and other commitments.
• Access to electronic resources through the university library's e-resources to support online studying.

Course Delivery

• Virtual learning environment course materials, including aims and objectives, reading lists, summaries of readings, activities, and commentaries.
• Course handbook introducing students to the team and providing contact information for guidance during the course.
• Consultation with academic staff in Birmingham via Zoom.
• Dissertation: a 15,000-word dissertation in an area of interest.

Module Information

The program comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run every four months, and the final six months are dedicated to researching and writing the dissertation.

Modules

The following modules must be taken:

• Discourse Analysis (20 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)
• Lexis (20 credits)
• Sociolinguistics (20 credits)

Students must choose 60 credits from the following:

• Corpus Linguistics (20 credits)
• English Language Teaching Management (20 credits)
• Functional Grammar (20 credits)
• Language Teaching Methodology (20 credits)
• Language Testing (20 credits)
• Language and New Media (20 credits)
• Multimodal Communication (20 credits)
• Pedagogic Grammar (20 credits)
• Psycholinguistics (20 credits)
• Second Language Acquisition (20 credits)
• Syllabus and Materials Design (20 credits)
• Teaching Language to Young Learners (20 credits)

Entry Requirements

• 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject like English Language or Linguistics.
• Relevant equivalent study or professional experience can also be considered for entry.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.5 in any band, or equivalent qualifications.

Fees and Scholarships

• Tuition fee: £1,304 per module (October 2025-July 2026), £1,360 per module (October 2026).
• Dissertation fee: £4,080 for October 2026 entry.
• Postgraduate Masters loan available to all UK students.
• Scholarships: Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Application Process

• Application deadline: one calendar month ahead of the desired entry date.
• Application deadlines for this program are as follows:
  • Entry point: 1 February – application deadline 1 January
  • Entry point: 1 April – application deadline 1 March
  • Entry point: 1 July – application deadline 1 June
  • Entry point: 1 October - application deadline 1 September
  • Entry point: 1 December - application deadline 1 November

Career Opportunities

• By studying a postgraduate degree in the Department of Linguistics and Communication at Birmingham, students develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths.
• Our Linguistics postgraduate students have gone on to work in careers such as 'Project Manager', 'Senior Editor', and 'English as a Second Language Instructor' in organizations such as Duolingo, Kaplan International Languages, and Out of Nothing Pictures.

Related Courses

• Applied Linguistics (Online) PGCert

Student Experience

• At Birmingham, students have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills, and make friends for life.
• The university offers support throughout the online learning journey, with access to experienced academic staff, a user-friendly virtual learning environment, and on-campus facilities.