Introduction
We offer a number of MSc by Research degrees, which are all intended for applicants who have a good academic background in Linguistics or English Language (normally having studied the subject at undergraduate level) and who want a concentrated one-year programme (or a two-year programme, if taken part-time) which will allow them to develop research skills and to begin to conduct their own research in a specific area of study.
Programme Schedule
At the beginning of the programme, students negotiate a programme of study for themselves with their supervisors and the Programme Director. The schedule of study contains a specification of training and other courses to be attended, other types of study that must be carried out and details of what assessed work is required.
Dissertation
The largest component of an MSc by Research degree is the dissertation, which is a lengthy single sustained piece of research into a topic of your choice.
Students also undertake training in linguistic research methodology as part of an MSc by Research, and may also take a small number of specialist taught courses for credit.
Beyond the MSc by Research
It is common, but by no means necessary, for students who successfully complete an MSc by Research to progress to study for a PhD. It is occasionally possible to make applicants an offer for a place on an MSc by Research with consecutive registration for a PhD, which means that a place on a PhD is guaranteed, as long as the MSc by Research is passed at a suitable level. However, it is also common for students who aim to take a PhD after an MSc by Research to apply for a place on a PhD programme during the MSc by Research year. If you have any queries about this, contact the Programme Director.