Master of Arts - Linguistics

Study the nuts and bolts of language: sound systems, word structure, sentence structure, and how meaning is conveyed. Learn about the different theories that have been proposed to account for human linguistic ability. In this degree students will learn what human languages share, and where they differ.

This University of Essex course will interest students if they want a formal and empirical grounding in all core areas of linguistics, and are keen to evaluate the major theoretical approaches in these disciplines. Students study topics including: theoretical and descriptive phonology, syntactic theory, pragmatics, semantics, and phonetics. The optional modules are in the related fields of applied linguistics, psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics.

Essex gives students a thorough grounding in the core areas of linguistics and gives students the freedom to specialize in the area which interests them most. 

Essex is one of the largest and most prestigious language and linguistics departments in the world, a place where talented students become part of an academic community in which the majority of research is rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Essex is also ranked 13th in the UK for Linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Essex's course can lead to careers in areas such as academic research, publishing, journalism, administration, public service and teaching. Students develop key employability skills including research design, data analysis, thinking analytically, report writing and public speaking. Graduates are successful in a wide variety of career paths. They leave Essex with a unique set of skills and experience that are in demand by employers.