MA Psychology and Linguistics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Psychology and Linguistics, a psychology and English language and linguistics degree exploring the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behaviour alongside the structure of human language. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, and Communication & Writing. This four-year joint programme covers both academic disciplines through lectures, laboratory sessions, and group projects. The first year introduces basic concepts in research methods and statistics, programming in the R language, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, biological psychology, social psychology, and Linguistics and English Language 1A. The second year continues with research methods, statistics, R programming, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, biological psychology, social psychology, and report writing. The third year advances into more complex statistical analysis using R programming, Speech Production and Perception, Origins and Evolution of Language, Sociolymguistics, and Pragmatics. The final year offers optional modules such as Social Psychology of Groups, Emotions: Social and Neuroscience Perspectives, Big Data and Psychological Science, The Psychology of Conversation, Developmental Psychopathology, Language Variation and Change, Language Pathology, Psycholinguistics, and First Language Acquisition.
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Entry requirements
A level: from A*A*A* to AAA (required: Biology or Human Biology at B, Chemistry at B, Computer Science or equivalent at B, Environmental Science at B, Geography at B, Geology at B, Life and Health Science at B, Mathematics at B, Physics at B, Psychology at B, Statistics at B) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
See the highest paying Psychology degrees in the UK →
See the highest paying Languages & English degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 16%: 13 offers from 82 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 65%
- Assessment and feedback: 58%
- Academic support: 71%
- Organisation and management: 63%
- Learning resources: 78%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 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%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Research and Development (RandD) and Other Research Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
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 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 25%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Modules
- be trained in basic concepts in research methods and statistics
- learn how to programme in the R language
- learn to use a variety of qualitative methods
- have a practical introduction to laboratory-based psychology research
- cognitive psychology
- developmental psychology
- differential psychology
- biological psychology
- social psychology
- 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
- research methods
- statistics
- R programming
- cognitive psychology
- developmental psychology
- differential psychology
- biological psychology
- social psychology
- reviewing scientific literature
- report writing
- ethical awareness
- advanced statistical analysis using R programming
- qualitative methods which are applied in a group project
- Speech Production and Perception
- Origins and Evolution of Language
- Sociolinguistics
- Pragmatics
- Social Psychology of Groups
- Emotions: Social and Neuroscience Perspectives
- Big Data and Psychological Science
- The Psychology of Conversation
- Developmental Psychopathology
- Language Variation and Change
- Language Pathology
- Psycholinguistics
- First Language Acquisition
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Psychology and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 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 £5,500 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of MA Psychology and Linguistics 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 Psychology and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
85% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Psychology and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 187 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Psychology and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
16% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 13 offers from 82 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is MA Psychology and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh accredited?
Yes. Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Does MA Psychology and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Psychology and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.