Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching (MA) MA Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching Study at the forefront of an exciting field in an internationally excellent institution Year of entry: 2026 (September) Overview Course content Fees and funding Teaching and assessment Careers Entry requirements Start date September 2026 View semester dates Length 1 year full-time School/department Department of Education Apply for this course Sign up for event invites Sign up for our postgraduate emails to get event invites straight to your inbox. Find out more Extend your knowledge of the processes that underpin and facilitate language learning. This MA programme offers two pathways: the MA in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching, as well as the MA in Applied Linguistics for Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). You'll learn about new developments in applied linguistics research and will be able to reflect on these in light of your own practical expertise. The course is designed for experienced language teachers.
Key Program Features
- Immersive On-Campus Experience: In-person seminars, laboratory sessions, and professional networking at University of York.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Humanities & Arts.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 12 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Careers and skills
This masters is an ideal grounding for postgraduate students looking to go on to further study such as PhD or for a career in the education sector.
Many of our graduates become language teachers around the world: in private language schools, state schools, and universities. Others find employment opportunities in course and syllabus design, or writing in publishing houses.
Our postgraduate courses can be used to complement teacher training/development programmes and voluntary or paid roles which focus on the more practical elements of teaching. However, other than our PGCE, our courses are not teacher training programmes in themselves.
Career opportunities
- English teacher
- Modern foreign language teacher
- Teacher trainer
- Language materials developer
- Educational consultant
- Researcher
- Manager of research & development within an educational institution
Transferable skills
- Research methods
- Data analysis
- Design and completion of original research
- Critical reasoning
- Communication skills (including intercultural communication)
- Academic and professional language skills in English
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Time-management
- Information management
- Working independently
Program Curriculum
Course content
This course is designed for applicants from the UK or overseas who wish to pursue a career in teaching foreign languages, including English as a foreign language.
The course offers advanced enquiry into the processes of language learning, with specific reference to second and foreign language learning. You will take a total of 180 credits, including four core modules, two option modules and a dissertation.
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules Language for Education Theories of Learning and Development Research Methods for Language Education I: Researching Questions Research Methods for Language Education II: Answering Questions Option modules You will also study two option modules. Bilingualism Teaching English for Academic Purposes Teaching World Englishes Intercultural Communication in Education Motivation in Education Language and Power Artificial Intelligence and Technology Enhanced Learning: Key Issues & Debates Assessment in Education Language Development and Age The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information, please get in touch . Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation Independent Study Module (Dissertation) You will develop, design, implement and manage your own original research project, supervised by a member of staff with the relevant experience for your topic. Students on the Applied Linguistics for TESOL pathway must focus on an aspect of TESOL in their dissertation .
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as Language, Linguistics or Education |
| International pre-masters programme | Pre-masters from our International Pathway College |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer. The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements. After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
Contact university
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Additional costs
There are no mandatory additional fees, but we do recommend that you set aside some money for photocopying. Course books will be available from the Library and online reading packs are available for most modules, but you may wish to buy your own copies. Each book typically costs £20 to 40.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Additional costs
There are no mandatory additional fees, but we do recommend that you set aside some money for photocopying. Course books will be available from the Library and online reading packs are available for most modules, but you may wish to buy your own copies. Each book typically costs £20 to 40.
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Start Date September 2026
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)