Overview and entry requirements

The MA Linguistics and Intensive Language two-year programme is meant for students who wish to combine rigorous training in the discipline of linguistics, with the intensive study of one or more African or Asian languages. The programme is run on a modular basis to suit students with little or no training in linguistics who wish to acquire a more profound knowledge of the discipline or take the degree as a conversion course before proceeding to a research degree. It is also for those looking to gain a working knowledge of an Asian, Middle Eastern or African language.

At the end of the programme students will be able to embark on professional careers in language-related fields with emphasis on the region in which the language chosen for the programme is spoken. They will also be able to undertake further study, such as for a research degree in linguistics.

See Department of Linguistics

Combine Linguistics with a language

Choose from: Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Persian, South East Asian Languages (Burmese, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese), Swahili, Turkish.

Why study Linguistics and Intensive Language at SOAS

• UK Top 10 in the 2021 QS World University Rankings
• SOAS is unique in the UK for offering a range of subject combinations that include the opportunity to study the languages, literature, and cultures of Africa, Asia and the Near and Middle East
• unrivalled staff expertise in the UK and worldwide in a wide range of Asian, African, Middle Eastern and Australian languages
• access to SOAS’s library, one of the UK’s five dedicated national research libraries
• dedicated Linguistics Resource Room, with computers, sound-proofed recording booth, video and audio editing facilities

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

May be combined with:

MA Linguistics can be combined with the following Intensive Language pathways: 

• Arabic
• Japanese
• Korean
• Persian
• South East Asian Languages: Burmese, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese
• Swahili
• Turkish

Structure

Students must take 315 credits in total, comprised of 255 taught credits (45 of which are taught abroad as part of a Summer School) and a 60-credit dissertation as outlined below.

Year 1: students on the two-year Intensive Language programmes take 60 credits of intensive language instruction and 60 credits in the discipline. During the summer, they participate in a Summer School abroad.

Year 2: students take another 30 language credits as well as 60 credits in the discipline; they also complete their dissertation in the discipline. 

There are two different pathways for the Linguistics component of this programme: one for students with a background in Linguistics, and one for students who have no previous knowledge of the subject.

Please see 'Programme specification' below to download the PDF pathways specifications of the four-year part-time version of the programme.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics have information on the Intensive Language part of the programme.

Programme

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

The aims of our MA Linguistics and Intensive Language programme is to:

• provide students with knowledge of the discipline of linguistics and research methodology in the study of language, both from a theoretical and practical viewpoint
• provide students with sufficient transferable skills to enable them to function in other professional environments related to language
• provide either a further qualification in linguistics or a preparation for research (MPhil/PhD) study. By the end of the course students are able to pursue further research or training, at either PhD or professional level
• provide the opportunity of studying one or more Asian, Middle Eastern and African languages. By the end of the course students are able to have an intermediate-level command of at least one language

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

• Acquiring a solid foundation in the ‘core’ areas of theoretical linguistics, syntax, phonology and semantics
• Familiarity with the basic concepts and assumptions of different theoretical frameworks in the discipline, and the ability to critically question and evaluate these assumptions
• Familiarity with the relevant conventions and methodology applicable to working with both raw linguistic data and linguistic descriptions
• Opportunity to specialise in the area of interest
• The student will have the opportunity to gain knowledge (or further knowledge) of one or more Asian, Middle Eastern or African languages

Intellectual (thinking) skills

Having completed the programme, students should have:

• The ability to formulate appropriate linguistic problems, propose and evaluate analyses and present evidence (for and/or against) these analyses
• Knowledge of how to assess data and evidence critically from the literature and original sources, how to formulate analyses and arguments within the system of concepts and assumptions in the discipline, how to solve problems of conflicting sources and conflicting interpretations

Subject-based practical skills

Having completed the programme, students should be able to:

• Practise research techniques in specialised research libraries and through consultant work
• Retrieve and select information from a variety of linguistic sources such as specialised papers and reference grammars
• Have strong practical language skills which will help them in any context where the language is used and which will also be of benefit if they need to learn another language in the future

Transferable skills

Having completed the programme, students should be able to:

• Locate materials and use research sources (library holdings, ‘raw’ language data, periodicals, internet)
• Structure and communicate ideas effectively in writing
• Question, understand and evaluate competing proposals

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Employment

Graduates of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with skills in written and oral communication, analysis and problem solving.

Recent School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics graduates have been hired by:

• Africa Matters
• Amnesty International
• Arab British Chamber of Commerce
• BBC World Service
• British High Commission
• Council for British Research in the Levant
• Department for International Development
• Edelman
• Embassy of Jordan
• Ernst & Young
• Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• Google
• Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies
• Middle East Eye
• Saïd Foundation
• TalkAbout Speech Therapy
• The Black Curriculum
• The Telegraph
• United Nations Development Programme
• UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
• Wall Street Journal

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