Master of Applied Linguistics

Acquire the skills to apply your knowledge of Linguistics.

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Deepen your knowledge of the structure and use of language and how to apply it. Gain experience in applying linguistics to a range of situations and develop a language-based career profile.

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

The UNSW Master of Applied Linguistics is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree that will prepare you to develop linguistic knowledge for intercultural communication in diverse professional, educational and interdisciplinary settings.

You'll graduate equipped to work in a range of fields, exploring the language used in all fields of activity. You'll develop language technologies, highlight communication within and across different cultures, and may work in conjunction with grassroots community users or assist migrant communities. You'll be able to work with the acquisition of first and second languages and investigate different discourses, such as those used in political, medical, legal and educational settings.

Key features

Recognition of prior learning

Pace your degree with the option of graduating from between one and two years based on 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. Explore applications to the world of work and to ongoing research.

Learn from the best

Our linguistics academics are highly qualified, active researchers with experience in intercultural communication, second language acquisition, bilingualism, multilingualism and multiculturalism, the pragmatics of language use and in language technology in documenting under-researched languages. You'll be able to participate in ongoing research projects and engage with developments in the field of applied linguistics.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

We rank 54 in the world for Arts & Humanities (QS World University Rankings, 2023)
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 2023.
Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
Access world-class alumni connections
Join a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024)
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)

Indicative Enrolments

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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; Philosophy; 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:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

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:

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Select from the options below

Which applies to you?

Program structure

The Master of Applied Linguistics is available in three streams. The stream that you enrol in 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 courses
Electives

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 Elective courses
4 Research courses

Second year

1 Research course
3 Elective courses

Stream: Applied Linguistics C

First year

4 Core courses
4 Research courses

Second year

1 Research course
7 Elective courses

For further information on full course details, listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.

Go to the handbook

Future careers

Linguistics has become one of the most dynamic areas of social science research. It impacts areas such as language technology, social psychology, cognitive science, international relations, climate change research, refugee studies and media studies.

UNSW Master of Applied Linguistic graduates are in high demand for their ability to describe, analyse and research languages. You'll be able to pursue a career in foreign and second language education in Australia and all around the world. Our academics help shape your journey from student to career-ready linguistics and applied linguistics 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)
Researching diverse aspects of second language acquisition and language use in society
Consultancy in inter-cultural communication
Discourse analysis for media and professional 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
Language technology for speech recognition and production, documenting under-researched languages and other digital technology including the development of search engines and machine translation

Research pathways in linguistics

Our straightforward research pathways are open to 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?

Apply now

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?

Apply now

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*

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 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.

Explore Scholarships