English Linguistics (Distance Learning) MA

The MA in English Linguistics is a distance learning course delivered via the University’s virtual learning environment with guided content developed exclusively for our MA students. There are no scheduled sessions, so you can work at your own pace fitting your study around work and other commitments. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, with different options available for January and September entry points.<br/><br/>**Whats covered in this course?**<br/><br/>This course will enable you to develop advanced analytical skills and in-depth linguistic knowledge, and to gain experience as an independent researcher.<br/><br/>The course begins with the 40-credit Language Description module, designed to give you confidence in working with the essential building blocks of linguistic analysis: grammar, morphology, and phonology. You will then study the 20-credit module Data, Theory & Method, which covers topics such as hypothesis testing, the role of linguistic theory, data collection, academic referencing and research ethics. The module will help you critique theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches and further develop your analytical skills.<br/><br/>Upon completing the first two modules and enhancing your skills in linguistic analysis and research methods, the course progresses with three 20-credit modules, each offering an opportunity to further strengthen your analytical and research skills across a wide range of professional contexts: Sociolinguistics, Second Language Acquisition and Corpus Linguistics. These modules will enable you to tailor your studies to your individual interests and career aspirations.<br/><br/>The final module is a 60-credit module Major Project, which involves writing a dissertation and completing a piece of original research on a topic of your choice.<br/><br/>One of the key strengths of the course is that it is taught by leading authorities on the subjects covered. Our teaching staff are active researchers who publish world-leading journal articles, chapters and books. This research feeds directly into the MA learning materials.<br/><br/>You will be fully supported by a tutor assigned to you when you begin each module who can be contacted by email. There is no requirement for you to attend the University and the are no scheduled sessions online either, which means that you are fully in charge of your schedule and can complete the course irrespective of your location or time zone.<br/><br/>**Course structure**<br/><br/>The course is designed to be completed in 12, 18, 24 or 36 months with a start date in September or January.<br/><br/>If you leave the course without completing successfully 180 credits, you may be entitled to be awarded an exit award of either Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) or a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) providing you have passed the relevant modules for these stages.<br/><br/>For the PGCert award, you need to complete 60 credits for two core modules: Language Description (40 credit module); Data, Theory & Method in Linguistics (20 credit module).<br/><br/>For the PGDip award, you need to achieve a further 60 credits by completing the following three modules (20 credits each): Sociolinguistics, Second Language Acquisition, Corpus Linguistics.<br/><br/>For the MA award, you also need to complete the 60 credit Major Project (Dissertation).