Master of Applied Linguistics
Deepen your language education skills.
Domestic
International
Explore Postgrad | 29 - 30 March 2023
Deepen your knowledge of language structure, phonetics, phonology, grammar and meaning. Gain real-world, career-focused linguistics experience.
Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Award
Master of Applied Linguistics
Commencing Terms
Term 1, Term 2, Term 3
Duration (Full Time)
2 Year(s)
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The UNSW Master of Applied Linguistics is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree that will prepare you to develop linguistic knowledge for cross-cultural communication in diverse professional, educational and interdisciplinary settings.
You'll graduate equipped to work in a range of fields, from helping migrant communities, to opening global opportunities for others through language acquisition and skilled communication.
Key features
Recognition of prior learning
Fast track your degree with the option to graduate in as little as one year with recognition of your previous studies and experience.
Career-focused
Study according to your career goals. Combine your chosen electives with training on traditional core areas of language structure, including phonetics and phonology, grammar and meaning.
Learn from the best
Our linguistics academics are highly qualified, active researchers with experience in intercultural communication, second language acquisition, bilingualism, pragmatics and language teaching and education. You'll be able to learn from leaders in their field and take part in resume-boosting presentations, debates, proposals, and research projects.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
- We rank 53 in the world for Arts & Humanities (QS World University Rankings, 2021)
- Be supported by our diverse, collaborative and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community.
- Learn through research-informed teaching
- Prioritise career success – UNSW won the Australian Financial Review’s Most Employable Students Award in 2020.
- Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
- Access world class alumni connections
- Join a global top 50 university (QS World University Rankings, 2021)
- Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities
Program Code
8236
CRICOS Code
083248M
Campus
Kensington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
96
Indicative Enrolments
28
Want to see more from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture?
Entry requirements
There are three different streams of the Master of Applied Linguistics. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to linguistics.
You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your work experience or prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
For the 1 year stream (A)
- Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience.
For the 1.7 year stream (B)
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience.
- Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
For the 2 year stream (C)
- A Bachelor Degree or equivalent with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
*It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
Relevant disciplines include Linguistics; Languages; TESOL; Cognitive Science; Speech Pathology; Interpreting and Translation; Health Sciences.
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
UNSW Global offers courses and programs designed to help you reach the English language level required for entry into your chosen degree. Different options are available depending on your current English language level. Learn more.
There are three different streams of the Master of Applied Linguistics. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to linguistics.
You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your work experience or prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
For the 1 year stream (A)
- Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%^.
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%^, plus one year relevant professional experience.
For the 1.5 year stream (B)
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%^.
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%^, plus one year relevant professional experience.
- Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%^.
For the 2 year stream (C)
- A Bachelor Degree or equivalent with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%*.
*It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
^Students from a non-211 university in China are now required to have a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW distinction average (75%).
Relevant disciplines include Linguistics; Languages; TESOL; Cognitive Science; Speech Pathology; Interpreting and Translation; Health Sciences.
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
UNSW Global offers courses and programs designed to help you reach the English language level required for entry into your chosen degree. Different options are available depending on your current English language level. Learn more.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
The Master of Applied Linguistics is available in three streams. The stream that you study will depend on your existing experience and knowledge. The streams are referred to as Applied Linguistics A, B and C, respectively.
Applied Linguistics streams A and B recognise your prior learning and experience. Stream A has only 8 courses can be completed in one year of full-time study, while stream B has 12 courses and takes 1.5 years full-time study. Stream C is for people with limited prior experience and has 16 courses and two years full-time study.
The programs include:
- Core courses
- Research core courses
- Free electives
- Prescribed electives (Stream B only)
Full program structure
Each university year at UNSW has three terms and an optional summer study period. You can study full-time or part-time. Depending on how you plan your study load, you can fit two or three courses into a term and one course in a summer term.
This program is structured to acknowledge the skills that you bring to your postgraduate education. Depending on your level of experience, you can study a streamlined degree or study for the full two years. Below is an example of what you could study in a standard full-time study plan.
Stream: Applied Linguistics A
First year
- 2 Core courses
- 2 Elective courses
- 4 Core research courses
Stream: Applied Linguistics B
First year
- 2 Core courses
- 2 Prescribed elective courses
- 4 Core research courses
Second year
- 1 Prescribed elective courses
- 3 Elective courses
Stream: Applied Linguistics C
First year
- 4 Core courses
- 4 Core research courses
Second year
- 8 Elective courses
For further information on full course details, listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.
Future careers
Linguistics has become one of the most dynamic areas of social science research. It impacts areas such as social psychology, international relations, climate change research, refugee studies and media studies.
UNSW Master of Applied Linguistic graduates are in high demand for their ability to translate, analyse, research, and interpret languages. You'll be able to pursue a career in foreign and second language education in Australia and across the globe. Our academics help shape your journey from student to career-ready linguist and TESOL specialist.
Potential careers
Applied Linguistics leads to careers in the field of foreign and second language education, including
- Teaching English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D)
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Consultancy in inter-cultural communication
- Discourse analysis for corporations and market research,
- Advocacy for linguistically disadvantaged groups including refugees and immigrants
- Language policy advisory role in government departments,
- Policy and curriculum development in bilingual and second language contexts
- Corpus linguistics for computer science
- Researching diverse aspects of second language acquisition and language use in society
Research pathways in linguistics
Our new straightforward research pathways are open to our high achieving Master of Applied Linguistics students seeking further study in a Higher Degree by Research.
Students will complete a PhD or Masters by Research on a topic of particular interest in applied linguistics, under expert supervision.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$27,360*
2023 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$55,450*
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
2023 Indicative First Year Fee
$36,800*
2023 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$74,775*
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
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Top 50WorldwideQS World University Rankings, 2022.
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MostEmployable GraduatesAFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
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LeadingInnovation#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
"I think studying a language and culture that’s so fundamentally different from my own inevitably gave me a broader world view."
