MA Linguistics and Social Anthropology
About this course
MA (Hons) Linguistics and Social Anthropology, a joint degree in anthropology and english language and linguistics focusing on human culture and communication. The programme is delivered over four years. The first year introduces the study of language and its subsystems through Linguistics and English Language 1A and Linguistics and English Language 1B. The second year expands into linguistic theory and the structure of English alongside Social Anthropology 2: Key Concepts and Ethnography: Theory and Practice. Later stages cover advanced topics such as First Language Acquisition, Origins and Evolution of Language, Anthropological Theory, and Kinship.
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 26%: 11 offers from 42 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 46 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 70%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 82%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
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%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Media Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
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 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 60%
- Baccalaureate: 15%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- No formal qualifications: 15%
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
- variation in the languages of the world
- Social Anthropology 2: Key Concepts
- Ethnography: Theory and Practice
- First Language Acquisition
- Origins and Evolution of Language
- Speech Production and Perception
- Pragmatics
- Anthropological Theory
- Kinship
- Culture and Power
- Ritual and Religion
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Linguistics and Social Anthropology at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £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 £2,500 more than the UK median for Anthropology.
What do graduates of MA Linguistics and Social Anthropology 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 Social Anthropology at University of Edinburgh?
88% 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 Social Anthropology at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 174 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Linguistics and Social Anthropology at University of Edinburgh?
26% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 11 offers from 42 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Linguistics and Social Anthropology 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 Social Anthropology at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.