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
Entry requirements
- We will consider all applications with 2:ii (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application including supporting statement and references.
- Interview Policy: Candidates with ‘non-standard’ qualifications usually invited
- duration:
- Two calendar years (full-time)
May be combined with:
MA Linguistics can be combined with the following Intensive Language pathways:
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
Students without a background in Linguistics take the following
Year 1 (two years full-time)
Students without a background in Linguistics
Discipline Component
Students select a module to the value of 15 credits from 'List A' below
Plus
Language Component
Students select language modules to the value of 60 credits, please see the 'combinations' tab
Plus
Students participate in a 'Summer School' in the selected language
Year 2
Year 2 - Discipline Component
Students select modules to the value of 30 credits from 'List A' below
Plus
Year 2 - Language Component
Students select language modules to the value of 30 credits
Plus
'Open Options' to the value of 30 credits
Or
Select another 30 credits from 'List A'
Students with a background in Linguistics take the following
Year 1
Language Component - Students choose modules to the value of 60 credits in the selected language
Plus
Plus choose modules to the value of 45 credits from 'List A'
Plus
Students participate in a 'Summer School' in the selected language
Year 2
Year 2 - Discipline Component
Students select modules to the value of 30 credits from 'List A' below
Year 2 - Language Component
Students choose modules to the value of 30 credits in the selected language
Plus
'Open Options' to the value of 30 credits
Or
Select more modules to the value of 30 credits from 'List A'
List A
Guided Options
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
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
Find out about our Careers Service.
A Student's Perspective
I think the variety at SOAS is one of its strongest aspects – simply being a student at SOAS has taught me a lot about cultures and has given me the opportunity to meet so many great people.
Lialin Rotem-Stibbe
