Conduct an in-depth study of the grammar of English. Learn about dialectal and social variation, language change and the pragmatics of language use, and study varieties of English used around the world.
If you wish to focus specifically on the linguistics of the English language, then our MA English Language and Linguistics should interest you. “Grammar” is the body of knowledge that enables a speaker to produce and understand the language(s) they speak. We study that knowledge, taking a practical approach to our research through analysis of English corpora, recordings, and texts.
We are a leading UK university for language and linguistics research (REF 2014), a place where talented students become part of an academic community in which most of the research is rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. We're also ranked 11th in the UK for Linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2021).
If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome to Essex.
Your future
Our course can lead to careers in areas such as academic research, publishing, journalism, administration, public service, and teaching. You develop key employability skills including research design, data analysis, thinking analytically, report writing and public speaking.
We also work with the University’s Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.
Within our Department of Language and Linguistics, we also offer supervision for PhD and MPhil. We offer supervision in areas including language acquisition, language learning and language teaching, culture and communication, psycholinguistics, language disorders, sociolinguistics, and theoretical and descriptive linguistics.
Our graduates are successful in a wide variety of career paths. They leave Essex with a unique set of skills and experience that are in demand by employers.