Developmental Linguistics MSc

This programme will develop your understanding of how language knowledge is acquired and how it changes as people acquire or lose language at various points in their life.

The programme places equal emphasis on first language acquisition, second language acquisition and bilingualism, making it an ideal choice for those who wish to have a broad knowledge in language development studies with a particular focus on empirical/experimental research.

Our skills-oriented training means graduates of the programme will be equipped with cutting-edge research skills in developmental linguistics and other related areas.

Key research areas

This programme will help you gain intellectual and practical skills to engage in applied linguistics research, either for its own sake or as part of interdisciplinary research.

This highly flexible MSc draws on the University of Edinburgh’s unparalleled research expertise in Linguistics. Linguistics and English Language at Edinburgh has access to a wide breadth of research themes, with the greatest theoretical depth that you will find anywhere. This programme gives you the flexibility to choose courses and research topics to suit your academic interests and goals.

The department has multiple overlapping research groups, covering everything from meaning and grammar to language evolution. This programme is unique in allowing you the freedom to draw on these resources.

You can also take advantage of the interdisciplinary department and draw on teaching and research both elsewhere in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences and within other relevant Schools.

What will I learn?

Joining a vibrant research community of developmental linguists, you will have the opportunity to carry out advanced research to try to answer questions related to the area of language development and bilingualism. Some of the central topics you will learn about are:


* How do children learn language?


* How do adults learn a second language?


* How do bilinguals accommodate two languages in their mind?


* What happens when we forget a language?


Is this MSc for me?

The programme is designed primarily for graduates with a background related to linguistics and/or psychology who wish to develop their knowledge of current research on language acquisition, first, second, bilingual, and impaired.

You will also look at language change from a cognitive perspective and from the point of view of current linguistic theories.

Reputation, relevance and employability

Edinburgh has a proud and distinguished place in the teaching of Linguistics, and you will be taught by world-leading experts. Our Linguistics and English Language department is home to academics leading research into a wide range of topics.

You will benefit from the breadth and strength of the interdisciplinary academic community at Edinburgh, having the opportunity to select option courses and attend research seminars across different disciplines.

Our students’ research projects are often published in academic or professional journals.

Our programme has an excellent reputation amongst employers and is known to prepare students well for further research opportunities. Many of our graduates have gone on to PhD training, and we have a high academic job placement record.