About English Language and/or Linguistics, MLitt - at Newcastle University

The English Language and/or Linguistics MLitt is a Master's level degree that is largely based around your own research interests, preparing you for further research within and beyond academia. You will be fully supported by experts situated in one of the largest centres for linguistics research in Europe.

Our course is an individually tailored research Master's degree designed for graduates with a good background in linguistics and/or English language. The course contains some taught modules but mostly consists of smaller independently conducted research assignments and a larger research dissertation at the end. The topics are chosen by you, in consultation with your supervisor. We offer supervision in the following areas:

Linguistic theory

• syntactic theory and comparative syntax
• phonological theory
• morphophonology and morphosyntax
• philosophy of language
• philosophy of linguistics
• architecture of the language faculty

Language variation and change

• historical/diachronic linguistics
• variationist/comparative linguistics
• sociolinguistics
• grammaticalization
• dialect syntax
• corpus analysis
• linguistic typology

Language evolution, acquisition, and development

• first language acquisition and development
• the acquisition of second language morphosyntax and phonology
• evolutionary linguistics

Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences (CRiLLS)

The Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences (CRiLLS) is one of the largest centres for linguistic research in Europe, so you have a unique opportunity to acquire a wide range of methodologies and exposure to diverse theoretical perspectives to enrich your own research. We have a wide range of research supervisors you can work with.

We offer subject-specific research training, including specialised practical workshops on statistical packages and software used in corpus linguistic methodologies. This specific training complements the research training programme you will be part of as a postgraduate research student.

Our 'student work in progress' meetings give you the opportunity to present your work to a student audience, giving you instant feedback and discussions around your research. Our special interests groups also facilitate researchers with common interests to share ideas, develop new skills and gain feedback on their work. The groups meet regularly and include topics like:

• language variation and change
• theoretical phonology
• corpus linguistics
• syntax
• language and cognition

Internationally renowned linguistic researchers are regularly invited to give guest lectures, recent speakers include:

• Professor Ellen Bialystok, York University, Toronto
• Professor J K Chambers, University of Toronto
• Professor David Pesetsky, MIT
• Professor Elizabeth Closs Traugott, Stanford University

Professor Anders Holmberg won the University-wide, student-led award for Best Research Supervisor in 2013.

Delivery

Your study will consist mainly of seminars, tutorials and independent learning supported by research training. The course is made up of 180 credits:

• 20 credits for research training modules
• 80 credits for a 16-24,000-word dissertation, which is written in the spring/summer for full time students or in the second year for part time students
• the remaining 80 credits are chosen by you and your supervisors to suit your needs and preferences

You may also attend lectures and seminars (not the assessments) for approved taught undergraduate and postgraduate modules, or you may choose to study modules from Linguistics MA. The taught modules and research assignments will prepare you for your dissertation and you have the flexibility to choose one assignment unrelated to the main focus of your studies.

In the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (2012), 94% of our students stated their supervision expectations were either met or exceeded.

Facilities

The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is a lively and diverse community with over 700 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates.

We are based in the Percy Building where the majority of your seminars and tutorials will take place. Our purpose-built postgraduate suite includes several dedicated computer clusters, meeting rooms, a kitchen and lounge area.

Linguistics postgraduates also benefit from a dedicated space reserved for members of the Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences. This space provides a range of resources, including access to linguistics software (eg Childes, Clan, Elan, Praat), linguistic corpora (eg DECTE, ICE, ICAME), and specialised equipment such as the eye tracker.

You also have access to the award-winning Robinson Library, which has an extensive audio-visual collection.

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact Newcastle University to find course entry requirements.

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