MA Applied Linguistics and Communication at Birkbeck, University of London

Our MA Applied Linguistics and Communication gives you the opportunity to explore language and communication from a wide variety of perspectives. It is designed to cultivate your understanding of key concepts, issues and theories, while also developing your analytical and empirical skills, so you can investigate and deal with real-world language issues applicable to a variety of domains and careers.

Faculty: School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication  |  Duration: One year full-time, on campus; One year full-time, online; One year full-time, flexible learning; Two years part-time, on campus; Two years part-time, online; Two years part-time, flexible learning  |  Study mode: full-time, part-time, online option  |  Intake: October 2027  |  Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core modules will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative research methods for undertaking your own empirical and/or theoretical research into language and language behaviour and sub-domains of applied linguistics. These include, for example, first and second language acquisition, intercultural communication, language pedagogy and assessment, language impairment, language policy, language and identity, and language variation. Compulsory modules include Introduction to Applied Linguistics, Research Methods and Design.

Career pathways

Graduates can pursue a range of careers in which language and communication is central; these include, for example, posts in education, local government and the charity sector, public relations and the media, marketing and lexicography. Possible professions include: English as a second language (ESOL) teacher, lexicographer, speech and language therapist, Civil Service fast-streamer, primary school teacher, translator.

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