MSci Linguistics
About this course
MSci (Hons) Linguistics, an English Language and Linguistics degree focusing on advanced empirical and theoretical study of human language. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The course includes a compulsory final-year dissertation project. The first year establishes foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Understanding Language in the Real World, Language and the Mind, Syntactic Structures, and Phonetics and Phonology. The second year progresses into quantitative and theoretical study via Linguistics as Data Science, Aspects of a Theory of Syntax, Acoustic Phonetics and Phonological Analysis, and Foundations of Meaning. The third year explores advanced applications through modules like Linguistic Computations: Real and Artificial Intelligence, Topics in Phonetics and Phonology, Topics in Language Variation and Change, and Topics in Syntax, alongside various optional choices. The fourth year centers on independent research through the Dissertation in Linguistics alongside advanced optional specialisms.
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: AAB IB: 35 points BTEC: DDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus A at A Level Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate plus AA at A level Distinction, Distinction in 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates plus A at A level
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for MSci Linguistics (Q103) at the University of York for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAB at A level.
What students say
Based on about 58 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 75%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 97%
- Left higher education: 1%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 40%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 110 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 6%
- North West: 12%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 34%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 17%
- South East: 7%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 65 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 94%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- Other qualifications: 3%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Understanding Language in the Real World
- Language and the Mind
- Syntactic Structures
- Phonetics and Phonology
- English Past and Present
- Structure of English
- Linguistics as Data Science
- Aspects of a Theory of Syntax
- Acoustic Phonetics and Phonological Analysis
- Foundations of Meaning
- Language Acquistion
- Middle English: Texts and Contexts
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language I
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language II
- Sociolinguistics
- The Language of Turn and Sequence
- Language Attitudes in Applied Contexts
- Linguistic Computations: Real and Artificial Intelligence
- Topics in Phonetics and Phonology
- Topics in Language Variation and Change
- Topics in Syntax
- Topics in Psycholinguistics: Language Processing
- The Prosody of English
- Forensic Phonetics
- Phonological Development
- Universals and Variation in Linguistic Systems
- Psycholinguistics: Language Processing
- Bilingualism
- Neurolinguistics: Language and the Brain
- Linguistic Approaches to Second Language Acquisition
- Multimodality: Language & the Body
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language II
- English Place Names Across Time and Space
- Dialect Grammar of British English
- English Corpus Linguistics
- Forensic Linguistics
- A Usage-based View of Language
- Research Extension
- Dissertation in Linguistics
- Experimental Methods in Psycholinguistic Research
- Advanced Phonetics and Phonology
- Historical Comparative Syntax
- Universals and Variation in Syntactic Systems
- A Usage-based View of Language
- Dialect Grammar of British English
- Introduction to Forensic Speech Science
- Technical Foundations of Forensic Speech Science
- Neurolinguistics: Language & the Brain
- Phonological Development
- Sociophonetics
- Quantitative Methods
- Directed Readings in Linguistics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Linguistics at University of York earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £24,000 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,000 and £36,500. The £29,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Linguistics.
What do graduates of MSci Linguistics at University of York do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MSci Linguistics at University of York?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Linguistics at University of York?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 139 UCAS points.
Does MSci Linguistics at University of York include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MSci Linguistics at University of York?
97% of students continued into their second year, and 1% left higher education.