Program Overview

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Introduction

Language and Linguistics at Aberdeen is the fascinating exploration of human language and how speech evolved, creating a bridge between sound and meaning. You will study the ways in which we acquire languages as children and adults, how languages vary and change over time and gain the knowledge and skills to open up a wide variety of careers.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: Q190

Language is the very essence of what makes us human, setting us apart from all other species. Linguistics helps us analyse, discuss and model this fascinating human attribute so that we understand ourselves and human societies more fully.

You will explore how languages evolve over time, how the brain processes speech and language, social factors and different dialects of English, how we learn second languages and much more.

This is a fast-moving field. Our understanding of language grows all the time with new discoveries in neuroscience, animal behaviour, archaeology and palaeontology, sociology and psychology and new applications of linguistics theory in industry, medicine, and forensic science emerge year on year.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop will make you very attractive to employers, especially if you choose a career in the media, advertising and marketing, information and communication technology, publishing, language teaching and health-related professions such as speech and language therapy or work with blind or deaf people.

You will enjoy all the benefits of learning and living in our friendly and vibrant international community, on our beautiful campus with great facilities for learning, sports and leisure and many opportunities to develop the extra skills to boost your employability and to broaden your horizons through studying abroad.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

What You'll Study

Language and Linguistics at Aberdeen takes a holistic approach to the subject and you will study a diverse range of courses throughout the programme. You will develop excellent analytical and communication skills that will help you prepare for a wide variety of careers. Some of the courses on offer include:

• Communication and Language in Contemporary Society
• Lexis and Semantics
• Morphology and Syntax
• Philosophy of Language
• Discourse Analysis
• Sociophonetics
• The Sociology of Language

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Language Structure and use (LN1507)
• Optional Courses:
  • Living Language (LN1005)
  • Language Myths (LN1006)
  • English Past and Present (LN1008)
  • Plus 15 credits from courses in the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture, and further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Language in Society (LN2008)
  • Elements of English (LN2515)
• Optional Courses:
  • Further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points.

Year 3

• Optional Courses:
  • 120 credits of which 90 must be from available Language and Linguistics courses at Level 3.

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Dissertation in Language and Linguistics (LN4501)
• Optional Courses:
  • Plus a further 90 credits from available Language and Linguistics courses at Level 4 (30 credits can be from level 3)

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Language & Linguistics?

• A vibrant linguistics research and teaching community and benefits of this study in other subjects, including modern languages, anthropology, sociology and history.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, with fabulous study facilities, state-of-the-art technology and home to literary treasures collected over 500 years charting the power of the written word from ancient papyri and medieval manuscripts to contemporary e-books and other media.
• Researchers revealing new insight into how spoken English is changing, including evidence gathered from tracking TV and radio soaps over the years.
• Major research partnerships such as the study of witness testimonies following the 1641 Irish Rebellion, illustrating how language revealed the social, economic, cultural and political situation in 17th century Ireland, and gives clues about sectarianism today.
• A packed campus programme of student and public events, exhibitions, seminars, invited speakers and the annual May Festival’s popular WORD theme which welcomes internationally acclaimed authors, broadcasters and public figures to campus every spring to discuss and debate the written word, in various languages.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

General Entry Requirements

• 2024 Entry:
  • SQA Highers: Standard - AABB, Minimum - BBB, Adjusted - BB
  • A LEVELS: Standard - BBB, Minimum - BBC, Adjusted - CCC
  • International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3
• 2025 Entry:
  • SQA Highers: Standard - BBBB, Minimum - BBC, Adjusted - BB
  • A LEVELS: Standard - BBC, Minimum - BCC, Adjusted - CCC
  • International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• EU / International students: £20,800
• Home Students: £1,820

Scholarships and Funding

• UK Scholarship: Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding.
• Aberdeen Global Scholarship: The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

Careers

Language & Linguistics at Aberdeen is an avenue to a wide variety of careers. The department places a strong emphasis on applied learning and the analytical, practical, oral and written skills that you will develop during your studies are highly esteemed by prospective employers. Previous graduates have gone on to study at postgraduate level, whereas others now work in a variety of careers, such as speech and language therapy, English and Foreign Language teaching, publishing, journalism and broadcasting.

Interaction is at Heart of Linguistics

The University has a vibrant language and linguistics research community with interaction at the heart of communications

Our Experts

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors.

World Class Facilities

Many of the teaching staff in our department are actively involved in cutting-edge research, giving Language and Linguistics at Aberdeen its reputation for being one of the best places to study the subject. You will benefit from having access to a wealth of resources and facilities, including the University Library, research centres and the University's Language Centre, where you can develop your language skills.