MA Language and 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.

MA in Language and Linguistics from Cardiff University provides graduates with a wide range of career opportunities, utilizing their advanced linguistic knowledge, research skills, and understanding of language in society. Whether in education, research, policy-making, or corporate sectors, the program ensures that graduates are well-equipped to excel in diverse professional roles.

Academic Researcher/Professor: Graduates of the MA in Language and Linguistics program can pursue advanced academic careers by continuing their studies at the PhD level. With a PhD, graduates can become university professors, teaching and conducting research in the field of linguistics or related disciplines.

Linguist/Applied Linguist: Graduates can work as professional linguists, analyzing language from a scientific perspective. They may work in research institutions, language consultancies, or as independent consultants, providing expertise on language structure, usage, and evolution.

Language Analyst: A career as a language analyst involves analyzing and interpreting language data, which could be used in sectors like intelligence, defense, or government. Language analysts assess language patterns in texts or speech to understand trends, uncover hidden meanings, or provide critical insight.

Language Policy Advisor: Graduates can become language policy advisors, working with governments or international organizations to design and implement language policies. This role involves advising on issues such as multilingualism, language preservation, and the educational use of language in diverse societies.

ESL (English as a Second Language) Teacher: Graduates with an interest in teaching can pursue a career as an ESL teacher, either domestically or abroad. Their advanced understanding of language structure and acquisition prepares them to teach English to non-native speakers.

Translation/Interpretation Specialist: Graduates fluent in multiple languages can become translators or interpreters, converting written or spoken material from one language to another for businesses, legal settings, or diplomatic purposes. Their linguistic expertise is essential for ensuring accuracy in communication across languages.

Speech and Language Therapist: Some graduates may choose to pursue a career as a speech and language therapist, working with individuals who have communication disorders, such as stuttering, speech delays, or language impairments, helping them overcome challenges in speech and language skills.

Market Researcher: With a deep understanding of how language affects human behavior, graduates can work as market researchers, analyzing how consumers communicate with brands and products. This role involves gathering linguistic data to understand customer preferences, communication trends, and market dynamics.

Public Relations Specialist: Graduates can work in public relations, focusing on the language strategies used by organizations to communicate with their audiences. They may help craft press releases, speeches, and other forms of communication, ensuring that the language aligns with brand messaging and engages the target audience effectively.

Communication Consultant: Graduates can pursue careers as communication consultants, advising organizations on effective communication strategies. Their linguistic expertise can be applied to help companies improve internal communication, public relations, and customer interaction, ensuring clear, effective messaging.

Human Resources Specialist: Language skills are also valuable in human resources (HR), where communication plays a key role in recruitment, employee relations, and organizational culture. Graduates can use their knowledge of language and linguistics to assess candidates' communication abilities and help foster positive workplace dynamics.

Social Researcher: Graduates can work as social researchers, exploring how language influences and reflects social behaviors, group dynamics, and cultural practices. They may work with think tanks, governmental bodies, or social research organizations to analyze linguistic trends and provide insights for policymaking.