English Language and Linguistics (MLitt)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2:1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply. Other routes of entry If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available. International entry requirements View the entry requirements for your country. English language requirements If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills: IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill. Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill. TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking. TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band. See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements. Pre-sessional English language courses If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses .

Course details

Our Masters in English Language and Linguistics can be taken as a full-time or part-time programme and is designed to cover the foundations of linguistic study as well as offer the opportunity to specialise in options representing a wide range of linguistic specialisms. In the first semester, you will take a core module (Linguistic Structures) which will equip you with the foundational skills of Linguistics (Phonology and Syntax). These skills will then be applied and developed in option modules taken alongside the core module and in the second semester. The third semester will be spent researching and writing the dissertation – an original and sustained piece of work in an area of linguistics of your choosing. Modules Teaching Teaching takes place in the form of small group tutorials, seminars and lectures. All modules offer close and careful supervision from tutors, but you’re also expected to take responsibility for your own studies. You’ll be able to access online course content such as study resources, lecture slides and discussion boards via the University’s online learning platform. You’ll play an active part in our regular Language Research Group meetings, which discuss articles on important and controversial linguistic topics. You’ll also have the opportunity to introduce articles of your choice to the group, and will develop important skills in leading and managing open-ended discussions. Assessment Assessment is via module coursework and your dissertation. Each module is assessed by means of at least one assignment, some of which may involve practical research investigations. The most significant piece of work on the course will be a 15,000-word dissertation that you’ll write under supervision during the summer. Course director Dr Andrew Smith Dr Bethan Benwell Key staff Dr Andrew Smith Dr Bethan Benwell Dr Stephen Penn Dr Viola Wiegand Dr Colin Reilly

Fees and funding

Fees and costs University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship . Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship . If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students. If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Postgraduate tuition fee loans This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. Additional costs There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees . Scholarships and funding Funding If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances. Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships. Postgraduate tuition fee loans Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales . Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI . International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers. Cost of living If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income. International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling Payment options We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

Graduates of MSc English Language and Linguistics find opportunities in diverse industries that value advanced communication skills, linguistic analysis, and critical thinking. You may decide to go on to study at PhD level to specialise in an area of linguistics of particular interest to you. Typical sectors that English Language and Linguistics graduates work in include: Education and Academia Teaching including English Language Teaching or TESOL Research Linguistic development in higher education or language institutions Translation and Interpreting Providing language expertise for international organisations, government agencies, and private firms Publishing and Editing Content creation Editing, and proofreading for books, magazines, and digital publications Marketing and Public Relations Crafting brand messaging Conducting consumer research Engaging audiences through strategic communication Technology and AI Research Developing natural language processing (NLP) models, linguistic AI systems, and speech recognition technology. The types of roles pursued by graduates within these sectors are varied. Here’s some examples along with national average annual salaries: Language specialist - £34,927 Policy Analyst – £36,917 Technical Writer – £36,107 English as a second language (ESL) teacher - £28,214 Translator – £27,450 (Indeed.com March 2025)