MA Applied Linguistics

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.

English language proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 100.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 76.
• Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.

Cardiff University offers a range of scholarships to support international students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies. These scholarships are designed to attract high-achieving students from around the world, easing the financial burden and recognizing academic excellence. 

Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship: Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship is a merit-based award that provides partial funding for exceptional international undergraduate and postgraduate students. This scholarship rewards high academic achievement and study, making it ideal for students with strong academic backgrounds.

Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship: This scholarship offers substantial funding to international postgraduate students from certain countries, including the USA, India, Vietnam, and EU nations. The scholarship covers part of the tuition fees and is awarded based on academic merit and potential for success.

Chevening Scholarship: Offered in collaboration with the UK government, the prestigious Chevening Scholarship is available to international students who demonstrate leadership potential and academic excellence. The award covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other allowances, supporting future leaders and influencers in various fields.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships: For students from Commonwealth countries, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships provide funding for postgraduate students who would otherwise be unable to study in the UK. The scholarship includes full tuition, living expenses, and airfare, ensuring accessibility for students from developing nations.

British Council GREAT Scholarships: Cardiff University partners with the British Council to offer the GREAT Scholarships for students from specific countries, including China, India, Malaysia, and Thailand. These scholarships provide financial assistance for tuition fees and are intended to encourage bright students to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK.

Subject-Specific Scholarships: Certain academic departments at Cardiff University offer additional scholarships tailored to specific fields of study, such as engineering, business, and life sciences. These scholarships provide partial funding and are aimed at attracting talented students to specific programs.

Financial Aid and External Scholarships: In addition to Cardiff University scholarships, students can explore external funding options such as loans, grants, and scholarships provided by their home countries or private organizations. The university’s financial aid office offers guidance to help students find external financial support.

Cardiff University provides graduates with a wide range of career opportunities across multiple industries, offering a versatile foundation for success in language-related professions.

Language Teaching and Education: Graduates of the MA in Applied Linguistics often pursue careers in language teaching, both domestically and internationally. With a strong foundation in language acquisition, teaching methodologies, and communication, graduates can become English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors, or work as language tutors or language program coordinators in schools, universities, and private language institutes.

Language Research and Academia: The research-oriented approach of the program equips graduates with the skills to pursue a career in academia or research institutions. Graduates can take up roles such as researchers, research assistants, or PhD candidates, focusing on areas like sociolinguistics, applied phonetics, and language policy. Those who enjoy scholarly work may also choose to become university lecturers or academic advisors in the field of linguistics.

Translation and Interpretation: The MA in Applied Linguistics also opens up career opportunities in translation and interpretation. Graduates with multilingual skills can work as professional translators, interpreters, or language consultants for various industries such as legal, medical, technical, or literary translation. This career path is ideal for those who have proficiency in multiple languages.

Language Consultancy and Policy: Graduates can work as language consultants, providing expertise on language development, curriculum design, and language policy implementation for educational institutions, government agencies, or international organizations. Their knowledge of applied linguistics makes them valuable assets in advising on effective language strategies for diverse populations.

Content Creation and Editing: For those with strong writing and communication skills, an MA in Applied Linguistics can lead to roles in content creation, editing, and proofreading. Graduates can work for publishing houses, media outlets, or digital platforms, producing and refining content that adheres to linguistic accuracy and readability standards.

Corporate Training and Communication: Many organizations seek linguistics experts to improve internal communication, employee language training, and customer-facing language services. Graduates can work in corporate environments as language specialists, communication consultants, or cross-cultural trainers, helping organizations optimize their communication strategies for diverse audiences.

Speech and Language Therapy: With additional qualifications, graduates may also consider working in speech and language therapy, providing support to individuals with speech disorders or communication difficulties. While further certification may be needed, the foundation of applied linguistics in understanding language development can serve as a stepping stone in this field.

Government and International Organizations: Graduates can pursue opportunities with governmental bodies or international organizations, working on language-related projects, translation services, or language policy initiatives. They can be involved in research, advocacy, and the promotion of multilingualism in global affairs.