MA Psychology and Linguistics
UCAS code: CQ81
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Introducing MA Psychology and Linguistics
This joint programme enables you to take a range of courses in psychology and linguistics.
Psychology courses cover the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behaviour.
Linguistics courses examine how language works, exploring how sounds, words, sentences and conversations combine to express and create meaning.
Psychology
Psychologists study:
the way biological and social factors influence how we behave
how interests and abilities differ from person to person
how we perceive, think and learn about the world around us
how we communicate verbally and non-verbally
how and why our mental abilities change across our lives
Psychology is an experimental and observational science, in which evidence from research studies is used to develop and evaluate theories.
Our psychology courses have a strong emphasis on developing skills in research methods and statistical analysis, to support our research-led teaching.
Linguistics
Linguistics studies:
the uses of language in everyday life
the ways in which it varies across society and evolves over time
how it is mastered by children
Accreditation
It is possible to obtain accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Please contact us for further guidance.
Year 1
Psychology
Through lectures and tutorials, you will complete a general introduction to psychology, covering:
cognitive neuroscience
developmental psychology
the psychology of memory and perception
individual differences
language and thinking
social psychology
You will be trained in basic concepts in research methods and statistics
You will also have a practical introduction to laboratory-based psychology research.
Linguistics
You will take two semester-long introductory courses.
Linguistics and English Language 1A offers a brief introduction to the study of language in general and of English in particular.
Linguistics and English Language 1B will help you develop the tools and knowledge needed to investigate the different subsystems of language in a systematic way.
In this year, you will also be introduced to the study of aspects of regional and social variations of language in general, and of the English language in particular, and to the study of semantics and pragmatics.
Option course
In addition, you will choose from a range of option courses outside your primary subjects.
Year 2
Psychology
You will continue to study core areas of psychology along with abnormal (clinical) psychology.
You will practise and develop your professional and study skills, such as:
literature searching
report writing
ethical awareness
You will also complete a year-long, intensive grounding in research methods and statistics to prepare you for Year 3.
Linguistics
You will take Linguistic Theory and the Structure of English. In this you will learn detailed aspects of modern English structure.
You will also to take another linguistics course in either Cross Linguistic Variation or Phonetic Analysis and Empirical Methods.
Year 3
Psychology
You will choose advanced courses in psychology, expanding upon and combining the core areas required for British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation.
To support your research work, you will complete further specialist courses in research methods and statistics, and practice qualitative as well as quantitative research methods.
Linguistics
You will also take a selection of courses in linguistics. These may include:
- Speech Production and Perception
- Origins and Evolution of Language
- Child Bilingualism
- Pragmatics
Year 4
Psychology
You must take two courses in research methods and statistics.
You will also complete a series of option courses that focus on specific areas of psychology. These courses build on and combine the core domains of psychology (biological, developmental, cognitive, social, and individual differences).
Precise course options change each year to reflect emerging topics, staff availability, and student demand.
Examples of courses offered include:
- Social Psychology of Groups
- Human Personality
- Science of Close Relationships
- Psychology of Language Understanding
- Psychological Therapies
- Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention
Linguistics
In linguistics, course options might be:
- Language Variation and Change
- Language Pathology
- Psycholinguistics
- First Language Acquisition
Dissertation
Alongside these courses, you will undertake a dissertation in either language sciences or psychology.
Our facilities
Teaching will take place at the Psychology building at George Square, and at other locations within the University's Central Area.
You will have use of:
specialised laboratories
the School's own dedicated library
the University's main library and computer facilities
Study abroad
There are opportunities to study in Europe through international exchange programmes.
How will I learn?
Courses are taught through a combination of:
lectures
tutorials
practical classes
project work
peer-supported group work
computer-based exercises
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed by various types of coursework and exams.
In Year 3, you will complete a group research project.
In Year 4, you will complete an independent research project.
Programme details
Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.
To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.
Our graduates develop high-level research, statistical, IT, and report-writing skills, which are valued by employers in various sectors.
Psychology
Many psychology graduates have gone on to work in:
healthcare and social services
charitable organisations
human resources
management
business and finance
consulting
media and advertising
Some students continue their studies to enter a research or teaching career, or to train as a professional psychologist in a specific field (such as clinical, educational, forensic, health, or organisational psychology).
Linguistics
Linguistics graduates work in a wide range of fields such as:
journalism
international relations
translation
marketing
social research
Recent graduates have taken up funded places on MSc programmes or have found employment in speech technology research.
A linguistics qualification is also a good foundation for careers in professions, such as:
speech and language therapy
adult literacy
teaching English as a foreign language
Standard entry requirement
The standard entry requirement is:
- SQA Highers: AAAA-AABB by end of S5 or AAAA-AAAB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: AAA - AAB.
- IB: 37 points with 666 at HL - 36 points with 665 at HL.
Minimum entry requirement
The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:
- SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: ABB.
- IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.
More information for widening access applicants
Required subjects
The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:
- SQA: Highers: one from Biology or Human Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or equivalent, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: English at C. Mathematics at A or Mathematics and Physics both at B or Higher Mathematics at C.
- A Levels: one from Biology or Human Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or equivalent, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4 and Mathematics at A or 7, or Mathematics and Physics both at B or 6, or Mathematics, Science plus Additional Science (or science double award) at BB or 66.
- IB: HL: one of Biology or Human Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or equivalent, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology at 5. SL: English at 5 and either Mathematics at 6 or Mathematical Studies at 7 (if not at HL).
Find out more about entry requirements
International applicants
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.
International Foundation Programme
Mature applicants
We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
SQA, GCSE and IB
For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:
- SQA National 5 at C
- SQA Standard Grade at 3
- SQA Intermediate 1 at A
- SQA Intermediate 2 at C
- GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4
- Level 2 Certificate Grade C
- IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components.
We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.
English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
As this degree is very popular, we strongly recommend that international students apply by 15 January 2022 as we can't guarantee to consider all applications after this date.
This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.
It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.
Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for MA Psychology and Linguistics
Additional costs
None.
Funding
For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.
- Enquiry Management Team
- Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
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