MA Linguistics and English Language
About this course
MA (Hons) in Linguistics and English Language, an English Language and Linguistics degree focusing on the scientific study of language structure, historical evolution and social variation. The first year introduces the study of language and the tools needed to investigate different linguistic subsystems through courses such as Linguistics and English Language 1A and Linguistics and English Language 1B. The second year examines linguistic theory, empirical methods, speech sounds and the history of English. Later years offer various optional modules allowing specialisation in topics such as First Language Acquisition, Origins and Evolution of Language, Speech Production and Perception, Pragmatics, Reading Old English, Dialects of English in Britain and Ireland, Global Englishes, Phonological Theory and English Phonology, History of Scots, Sociolinguistics, and Language Variation and Change.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 28%: 18 offers from 64 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 25%
- Unemployed: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 435 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 38%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 32%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Linguistics and English Language 1A offers a brief introduction to the study of language in general and of English in particular.
- Linguistics and English Language 1B will help you develop the tools and knowledge needed to investigate different subsystems of language.
- regional and social variations of language in general (especially in the English language)
- semantics and pragmatics
- linguistic theory and the structure of English
- the speech sounds of the world's languages and empirical methods
- variation in the languages of the world
- the history of English
- First Language Acquisition
- Origins and Evolution of Language
- Speech Production and Perception
- Pragmatics
- Reading Old English
- Dialects of English in Britain and Ireland
- Global Englishes
- Phonological Theory and English Phonology
- History of Scots
- Sociolinguistics
- Language Variation and Change
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Linguistics and English Language at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £44,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for English language.
What do graduates of MA Linguistics and English Language at University of Edinburgh do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Linguistics and English Language at University of Edinburgh?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Linguistics and English Language at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 158 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Linguistics and English Language at University of Edinburgh?
28% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 18 offers from 64 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Linguistics and English Language at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Linguistics and English Language at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.