Gain the skills needed to engage in linguistics research
This programme gives you all of the intellectual and practical skills to engage in linguistics research, either for its own sake, or as part of cross-disciplinary research.
Graduates from our programme will understand how to analyse key data in syntax, semantics, phonology, and morphology, how to theorise such data, and how to exploit empirical methods to test their theories.
We offer a strong focus on theoretical understanding: you will learn how to analyse data in the context of current theoretical understanding of linguistic structure at all levels, drawing on the expertise of the department, which is particularly strong in theory development, and will be well placed to compare and evaluate competing proposals, both from within the same theoretical model, and from competing models.
Why study Linguistics at Edinburgh?
- Linguistics & English Language is rated 3rd in the UK by Times Higher Education for the quality and breadth of the research using the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
- We're ranked 4th in the UK and 5th in the world for linguistics (QS World University Rankings by subject 2024).
- You will be part of a learning community which includes one of the largest concentration of language scientists in the UK.
Showcasing Language Sciences at Edinburgh
Programme structure
This programme comprises two semesters of taught compulsory and optional courses, followed by a dissertation.
You take three 10-credit introductory courses, which provide a grounding in linguistic research skills and core grammatical analysis (students with appropriate background can opt out of these courses). These core courses are supplemented by 90 credits of option courses, which you can choose from a range designed to reflect the breadth of linguistic research conducted at Edinburgh.
Course options
Compulsory courses:
- Introduction to Phonology
- Introduction to Language Research
- Introduction to Syntax
When to apply
We operate a gathered field approach to applications. You may submit your application at any time.
All complete applications that satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be placed on a shortlist and held until the next batch processing deadline. Applications will then be ranked and offers made to the top candidates.
Find out more about the degree programme and how to apply:
Connect with us
If you have any programme-specific enquiries please get in touch with the programme director:
Professor Peter Ackema (Programme director)
Feel free to get in touch with our friendly Postgraduate Team with any questions you might have about academic or English language requirements, course information, enquiries about your application and information on arriving at the University.
Postgraduate Team enquiries:
Email: pplspgoffice@ed.ac.uk
How to apply and fees & funding information:
Degree Finder for MSc Linguistics
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