PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
MA Applied Linguistics
Awarding Institution: University College London
Teaching Institutions: UCL Institute of Education
Name of final award
Master of Arts (MA )
Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate Certificate
Programme title: Applied Linguistics
Application code: P005923
Language of study
UCL Institute of Education teaches and assesses students through the medium of
the English language. Competence in English language is required of all applicants.
Programme regulations may indicate the level of competence required of each
applicant and may make its achievement a condition of admission.
Participants
The programme is designed for individuals who have a keen interest in Applied
Linguistics and English language education globally. Particular themes of this MA
include global issues in foreign/second language education, bi/multilingual language
education in multicultural contexts, second language acquisition and
psycholinguistics, and the relations between language, cognition, culture and
identity. Participants will be current and prospective teachers of English as a foreign
or second language (EFL, ESL, ESOL) or past students of language, culture and
communication related subjects. Candidates should have a good first degree in a
relevant area and be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for Applied Linguistics and
English language education.
Aims of the programme
The aims of the programme are to enable participants to:
 engage with theoretical and empirical investigation of real-world problems in
which language is a central issue
 understand key concepts and issues related to Applied Linguistics and
English language education globally;
 gain insight into a wide range of perspectives on these issues in social,
cognitive, theoretical and educational terms;
 develop the capacity for the analysis, evaluation and synthesis of primary and
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secondary sources;
design research on Applied Linguistics and language education;
develop an aptitude for sustained and independent argument in Applied
Linguistics and global English language education.
Programme Outcomes
The MA in Applied Linguistics (AL) is designed to engage students in critical analysis
of contemporary issues and debates related to Applied Linguistics and English
language education globally. Of particular interest are global issues in
foreign/second language education, bi/multilingual language education in
multicultural contexts, second language acquisition and psycholinguistics, and the
relations between language, culture and identity. All modules are designed to
facilitate an exploration of the interface between theory and practice. Taught
sessions encourage students to reflect on past professional or study experience in
the light of current theory and research in Applied Linguistics and English language
education globally.
By the end of this programme, participants should have developed skills in the
following areas:
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knowledge and understanding – of important concepts, ideas and research
findings in Applied Linguistics and English language education globally;
independent critical thinking – the ability to construct arguments and
contribute to current debates in Applied Linguistics and English language
education globally;
reflective practice – the ability to make links between theory and practice in
Applied Linguistics and English language education globally, and to reflect
critically on professional experience in the light of theory;
research skills – the ability to identify and use appropriate methods for
gathering, analysing and evaluating information, including competence in
designing small-scale research;
academic literacy – the ability to communicate arguments and information, in
speech and writing, according to the established conventions of scholarship in
the fields of Applied Linguistics and English language education globally.
Criteria for admission to the programme
Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant
social sciences or humanities subject. European or international applicants are
expected to have qualifications at an equivalent level. Applicants whose first
language is a language other than English may be required to provide evidence of
their English language proficiency. For international and EU students we specify
Good level: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests.
(http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/life/international)
Applicants who do not meet these criteria will be considered on the basis of their
Personal Supporting Statement as part of the application process.
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Applicants may have experience of English language teaching in a relevant context,
but this is not a requirement. Pre-service graduates in related fields are also
welcome to apply provided they have a good academic record and can demonstrate
enthusiasm for Applied Linguistics, English language education and the related
themes of this MA.
Applicants whose qualifications do not meet our minimum entry requirements may
be asked to submit a written statement or a short essay to ensure they can meet the
demands of the programme and can benefit from it. Interviews are not a
requirement, but applicants are encouraged to contact the programme leader if they
have any questions.
UCL Institute of Education is committed to admitting and supporting participants with
disabilities and welcomes applications from them.
We provide support for students with a range of conditions which have a long-term
and adverse effect on studying such as:
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sensory (visual / hearing / speech) impairments
• mental health issues
mobility or dexterity impairments
Asperger's Syndrome or other autistic spectrum disorders
chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, epilepsy, H.I.V.)
specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia)
Disability and Wellbeing Support will also advise people who have a temporary
mobility / dexterity impairment / other difficulty as a result of an accident, injury,
illness or surgery.
Every person is treated as an individual, and we invite you to contact us as early as
possible so that we can consider your needs and tailor our support to meet them.
This applies to all students – home, EU and international.
Mode of study
Participants can attend on either a part-time (over two years) or full-time (one year)
basis. Attendance varies between modules, but usually involves a combination of
evening and daytime attendance. The dissertation includes writing a research
proposal as part of a research methods online component.
Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
To complete the MA Applied Linguistics participants must gain 180 credits, of which:
i)
ii)
30 credits must be from the core module Discourse Society and
Culture
90 credits may be from recommended modules within the MA, such
as; Sociolinguistics and Sociocultural Theory, Second Language
Acquisition; English in Diverse World Contexts; Language and
Identity; Language Teacher Identity and Development; and
Bilingualism and Multilingualism. Students with interests in other
aspects of education may also take non-Applied Linguistics and
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iii)
TESOL modules from within UCL IOE such as Education and
Development in Asia, Education and International Development,
and Perspectives on Adult Literacy, Language and Numeracy (see
the website for a fuller list). Normally, this would be not more than
one module from outside the Applied Linguistics and TESOL offer.
Students are also free to take optional modules from the wider
Linguistics offer within UCL, for example in areas such as syntax,
semantics and pragmatics (subject to availability). Students are
counselled not to take more than one module outside the group
unless a very good case can be made for it.
A further 60 credits must come from the Dissertation module. This
involves writing a 2500 word Research Proposal which leads to the
submission of a 15,000 word Dissertation at the end of the
programme.
Core modules and optional modules on the programme are offered during the
daytime and in the evening in alternate years. Some options always run in the
evening. This structure enables part-time students who are working during the day to
take all their modules in the evening.
UCL Institute of Education uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation
System (ECTS), as a guide to support periods of study undertaken abroad and to
assist student mobility. Currently it is assumed that two UK credits equate to one
ECTS. Therefore a module of 30 credits would typically equate to 15 ECTS credits.
For a Master's degree to be awarded, successful completion of a minimum of 180
credits is required. Alternative award: Students who for academic or personal
reasons are unable to successfully complete the 180 credits required for the masters
award may exit with the completion of 60 or 120 credits respectively and be awarded
a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in the subject area.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
Teaching combines various forms, such as lectures, workshops, projects, student
presentations, and student led discussions. Within tutor led sessions, students often
engage in individual, pair and group tasks which are then fed back to the plenary.
Assessment is by coursework. In most modules an essay type assignment usually
of 5000 words is required. Students might also be asked to undertake a research
project or to select educational material or documentation and analyse them. The
final piece of assessment on the MA is a dissertation in which the students engage
with a topic of particular interest or relevance to their own development.
A Dissertation: An ordered and critical exposition of existing knowledge in any field
of part of a field of study. It may vary in length but should not normally exceed
20,000 words unless otherwise stated in the Regulations for a specific degree.
There should be evidence that the field has been surveyed thoroughly. A full
bibliography and references would normally be required. (60 UCL credits)
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Information about assessment regulations
Participants must successfully complete all elements of the programme, to achieve
the minimum credits required for the award, e.g. 180 credits for a masters award,
360 credits for an undergraduate honours degree award. All coursework is assessed
according to the grade-related criteria for the programme level, found in the
programme handbook.
All assignments are independently marked by two staff members, who meet to
discuss and reconcile the marks and comments for each individual. Assignments are
graded from A to D, with D being a failing grade. Participants who fail an assignment
may be re-assessed in that element of their programme of study on one further
occasion only, within a deadline specified by the module tutor. An external examiner
plays an important role in monitoring the quality of the programme and evaluating the
effectiveness of the teaching and support provided for the programme participants
and the reliability of the judgements made in assessing them.
Support for learning
 A programme handbook that gives detailed information about the programme
and advice on academic study and assessment.
 An induction programme including introduction to the Library, Moodle, IT and
other facilities provided by UCL IOE.
 Students are encouraged to develop their academic writing by enrolling on
appropriate short courses offered by the UCL IOE Academic Writing Centre
(AWC) sessions, making full use of the online materials produced by the AWC
and utilising the individual Question and Answer sessions offered by the AWC
via Skype and in person for coursework.
 Formative feedback is provided on draft outlines to take forward to the final
submission.
 Support is also provided by a personal tutor. The tutor offers guidance on the
programme of study, monitors progress and gives general academic advice,
as well as providing pastoral support. The tutor may refer personal tutees to
specialist support and advice when appropriate and in agreement with the
student. Peer support and networking is facilitated in the group by the use of
the VLE and collaborative projects.
 Research seminars are offered presented by the programme staff as well as
prominent external speakers.
 Access to the full range of welfare and union facilities is afforded to all UCL
IOE students.
Methods for evaluating and improving the programme
Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the
curriculum and outcome standards include:
 Module evaluation by participants
 Termly meetings of the Programme Committee including student
representation
 Annual programme review prepared by programme team and considered by
Teaching and Quality Committee
 Periodic programme review and revalidation involving external panel member
 Staff review and development
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Peer observation of teaching
External examiner reports Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards:
 Programme Committee
 Board of Examiners
 Teaching and Quality Committee
 Validation and Partnership Panel
Mechanisms for gaining participant feedback on the quality of teaching and their
learning experience:
 Participant module evaluation (sessional and programme);
 Student representation on programme committees
Indicators of quality and standards
The following are key indicators of quality and standards in this programme:
• The external examiner’s reports are consistently positive with respect to the
programme maintaining very high quality and standards
• Progression of participants onto the MPhil/PhD programme.
• Graduates of the programme are currently working as senior managers and
English language teachers in international schools and colleges, teachers in
secondary schools and further education colleges in the UK, project workers
in international non-governmental organisations, education consultants, policy
advisers and researchers, university lecturers, PhD students, and
communications consultants in the aviation industry.
• A high rating in the recent Research Excellence Framework indicates a
vibrant research environment with direct benefits for teaching and programme
development.
Relevant benchmark statements and other external and internal reference
points used to inform course outcomes
The programme provides participants with knowledge and understanding of Applied
Linguistics and English language education globally, and develops skills in applied
linguistic and educational research methodologies. It introduces and encourages a
critical understanding and interpretation of real-world problems in which language is a
central issue.
Date of completion/amendment of specification
January 2016. JOR
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