Linguistics and English Language MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Linguistics

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

QQ31

Award

MA (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Central Area

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

Linguistics

Linguistics explores how language works. It describes how we create meaning through:

  • sounds
  • words
  • sentences
  • conversations

It also studies:

  • the uses of language in everyday life
  • ways in which language varies across society and evolves over time
  • how language is mastered by children

Linguistics has a long history at the University of Edinburgh, and our teaching staff have an excellent reputation for research in this area.

English Language

Using techniques from modern linguistics, you will analyse the structure of written and spoken English and explore how the language has changed in the course of its history. 

As well as the study of change in English, we have a strong tradition of investigating variations of the language, including:

  • Scots
  • distinct dialects of English
  • international variations

You will study modern-day English and Scots and identify the similarities and differences between English and other languages.

Find out more about Linguistics and English Language at Edinburgh in this video.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

How a joint degree programme works

A joint programme allows you to gain a well-rounded learning experience. You will have more exposure to different disciplines, allowing you to expand your knowledge and expertise.

Teaching on joint programmes is split across the two subject areas, and teaching will take place in locations associated with both subjects.

You will gain a different perspective through studying more than one subject and have a wider skill set that is highly attractive to future employers.

Programme rankings

  • 4th in the UK and 7th in the world for linguistics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

Programme benefits

  • We have one of the largest concentrations of university language scientists in the UK. We have over 350 students currently studying linguistics or English language.
  • You will find an intellectual and welcoming community offering you a wide choice of courses and the chance to develop your skills in a supportive environment.
  • We are a leading centre for the study of language change and historical linguistics.
  • Linguistics has a long history at the University of Edinburgh, and our teaching staff have an excellent reputation for research in this area.
  • Linguistics is a new subject for nearly all undergraduates, so you will not need any prior knowledge at the beginning of the programme.

I wanted a lively, international university that allowed me to grow up quickly and independently. Edinburgh gave me just that.

Alex Hersey MA (Hons) Linguistics graduate.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MA (Hons) Linguistics and English Language

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) Linguistics and English Language.

Tuition fees for this programme

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend £1,023 to £2,043 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

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 different subsystems of language

In this year, you will also study:

  • regional and social variations of language in general (especially in the English language)
  • semantics and pragmatics

You will also choose from a range of option courses outside your primary subject.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

You will take four semester-long courses. They look at:

  • linguistic theory and the structure of English
  • the speech sounds of the world's languages and empirical methods
  • variation in the languages of the world
  • the history of English

As in Year 1, you will choose from a range of option courses outside your primary subject.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 2 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

Over the two honours years, you will take ten courses (six in Year 3 and four in Year 4). 

You will choose from a range of advanced courses across both linguistics and English language, which may include:

  • Child Bilingualism
  • Origins and Evolution of Language
  • Speech Production and Perception
  • Pragmatics
  • Reading Old English
  • Dialects of English in Britain and Ireland
  • Global Englishes
  • Phonological Theory and English Phonology
  • History of Scots
Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 3 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

You will continue to choose advanced courses according to your interests. 

You will also work on your honours dissertation. The dissertation is a piece of your own work and is an important part of your undergraduate studies.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 4 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

Study abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.

If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.

A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.

Your study abroad options

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Most courses are taught through a combination of: 

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • seminars
  • some small-group project work 

You will also do some independent practical work in Year 2 and more independent study in Years 3 and 4. 

In addition to classes, you will need to read widely to get the most out of your courses.

Assessment

During Years 1 and 2, you will have continuous assessment through tests and assignments. 

In Years 3 and 4, you will be assessed through:

  • coursework
  • exams
  • projects
  • your dissertation

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.

Support for your studies

Our academic staff

We have internationally recognised experts in the theoretical and empirical study of the main areas of language structure:

  • syntax and semantics
  • pragmatics and phonetics
  • phonology and morphology

We also conduct world-leading research in:

  • sociolinguistics and language variation
  • the history of linguistic thought
  • language acquisition
  • the study of language in context

Where you will study

Study location

Lectures and seminars take place in the University's Central Area.

Other teaching will take place in the linguistics computer labs and other facilities in the University's Central Area.

Academic facilities

You may use the School's:

  • recording studios
  • perception experiment laboratory
  • eye-tracking laboratory

You will also have access to the University's libraries and computer facilities.

Virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the University’s Central Area and explore our facilities on the Virtual Visit site. 

Take a virtual tour of the Central Area

Career paths

Linguistics graduates work in a range of fields, such as:

  • journalism
  • international relations
  • translation
  • marketing
  • social research

Recent graduates have taken up funded places on masters programmes or 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

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:

  • a masters degree
  • a postgraduate diploma or certificate
  • a PhD
  • a second undergraduate degree

Find out about options for further study

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

LingSoc, the Linguistics and English Language Society, is a society for the appreciation and study of language.

The society was created by students who wanted to provide a supportive and friendly community for Linguistics and English Language students. 

It is a great way to meet like-minded people and get involved in your subject outside the classroom.

LingSoc: find out more

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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Discover Uni data

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.

Some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

85%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Linguistics and English Language (Full time) at University of Edinburgh

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

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85%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Linguistics and English Language (Full time) at University of Edinburgh

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

link opens in new tab