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The University of Edinburgh: Applied Linguistics

Institution The University of Edinburgh View institution profile
Department School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences
Web https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying
Study type Taught

Summary

This programme offers a linguistic perspective on real-world problems of language in use, with a strong emphasis on developing skills and knowledge that can be applied in a wide range of professional settings.

In Applied Linguistics, we draw on knowledge about language, how it works and how it is used in order to contribute to real-life issues.

We examine language and other communicative modes in a variety of social settings, such as:

  • everyday conversation

  • educational settings

  • medical settings

  • digital and social media

We focus on language variability, for example, bilingualism, accents, and dialects versus social diversity (such as gender, class, ethnicity). We also consider how knowledge about language as it is actually used in real social settings can impact people's lives.

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.

Is this MSc for me?

This programme provides and enhances your skills to engage in applied linguistic research. It provides an excellent preparation for further research and knowledge as an applied linguistics specialist, whether you choose to pursue this further in academic research or in a professional career.

Unlike other programmes in applied linguistics, one topic that we do not concentrate on is teaching pedagogy. If you are primarily interested in the teaching side of applied linguistics, please see:

  • MSc in Language Education

  • MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Similarly, this MSc programme focuses on linguistics, not English language. If you are primarily interested in English language, please see: * MSc in English Language

Reputation, relevance and employability

The programme benefits from a long and respected academic tradition. Edinburgh was the first UK university to offer a programme in Applied Linguistics. 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 also 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.

MSc

Edinburgh University

Edinburgh. Extraordinary futures await.

The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50, and placed 34th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Our position as one of Britain’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research …

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