Evolution of Language and Cognition MSc

This is a unique and fascinating interdisciplinary programme which focuses on the treatment of language as a dynamic evolving system, bringing together origins, acquisition and change.

Joining the world-leading Centre for Language Evolution, you will investigate the origins and evolution of human language.

Key research areas

As a student on this programme, you will become part of the world-leading Centre for Language Evolution (CLE) here in Edinburgh. The CLE is at the cutting edge of current research into the origins and evolution of human language, and is the biggest research group in the world in this area.

• Centre for Language Evolution (CLE)

You will be involved first-hand with the CLE’s ongoing research effort. Your dissertation project (undertaken as part of the Masters) will enable you to make your own contribution to our understanding of the evolution of language and cognition.

Building on a first degree in psychology, linguistics, cognitive science, or a related discipline, the programme provides you with a broad introduction to the field of language and cognitive evolution, and allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests, by combining a wide range of courses in the area of language and cognition.

Linguistics & English Language is rated 3rd in the UK by Times Higher Education for the quality and breadth of research using the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

What will I learn?

This programme offers a range of courses covering the key concepts and methodologies in the evolution of language and cognition. This is an interdisciplinary programme, tackling key questions which are at the heart of the recent renaissance in the scientific study of the origins and evolution of human language, such as:

• What is it that makes us human?
• How did our brains evolve?
• What are the origins of human language?
• Why do we think the way we do?
• What are the mechanisms of biological, cultural and linguistic evolution?

You can also take advantage of teaching and research both elsewhere in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences and within other relevant schools.

Is this MSc for me?

This programme provides solid grounding in the scientific study of human behaviour, which provides the ideal basis for further research in many associated areas, including linguistics, cognitive science and human evolution.

You will be involved first-hand with the CLE’s ongoing research effort. Your dissertation project will enable you to make your own contribution to our understanding of the evolution of language and cognition.

Reputation, relevance and employability

Edinburgh has a proud and distinguished place in the teaching of Linguistics and you will be taught by world-leading experts. Our Linguistics and English Language department is home to academics leading research into a wide range of topics.

You will benefit from the breadth and strength of the interdisciplinary academic community at Edinburgh, having the opportunity to select option courses and attend research seminars across different disciplines.

Our students’ research projects are often published in academic or professional journals.

Our programme has an excellent reputation among employers and further research opportunities. Many of our graduates have gone onto PhD training and we have a high academic job placement record.

Find out more about our community

The School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences is home to a large, supportive and active student community, hosting events and activities throughout the year which you can join. As a postgraduate student, you will have access to a range of research resources, state-of-the-art facilities, research seminars, and reading groups.

• Find out more about our community

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in linguistics, psychology, cognitive science, computer science or biology.

Entrance to this programme is competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online..
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 7 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

This programme provides solid grounding in the scientific study of human behaviour, which provides the ideal basis for further research in many associated areas, including linguistics, cognitive science and human evolution.

The programmes also teaches a broad range of transferable skills applicable to a wide range of modern jobs, such as:

• journalism
• translation services
• teaching (following further training)

Our graduates

The analytical skills you develop and the research training you receive will be valuable in a wide range of careers. In addition to a number of our graduates going onto further academic research opportunities, some recent organisations that they have progressed to are:

• Pearson Education
• BPD Training
• ITWeb

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

• Careers Service