MA in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics

• No prior knowledge of Linguistics is required for admission to the MA programme. The MA is an ab initio degree, applicants who have already completed a BA in Linguistics are not eligible to apply.
• Competence in a language other than English is not required but useful.
• Applicants must have a BA or equivalent, having normally reached a 2H1 or better. Applications with a 2H2 average are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• All students must normally supply references from two academic referees who are able to provide details about the applicant’s academic abilities and motivations. Work references are accepted on a case-by-case basis.
• Students whose first language is not English and who did not complete their prior education through English (or Irish) must take an IELTS test to provide proof of their English language skills. Students are expected to reach a minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.5 (particularly in writing and speaking).[1]
• Students who fall a bit short (0.5 in one band) of the required scores may consider attending a a 10 week and 7 week course in the Applied Language Center prior to the start of the MA programme.[2]
  
  [1] The School may decide to waive the requirement for an IELTS or equivalent test score (normally 6.5 in all four skills) if the candidate provides evidence of having completed one of their university degrees (BA, BSc, MA) through English or at an English-speaking university. Please submit evidence to support your claim that you have completed your entire degree through English along with all the other documents. The School will assess the evidence and let you know.
  
  [2] Students joining the 10 week programme are required to have an IELTS of 5.5 with no component below 5.0 (or equivalent). Students joining the 7 week programme are required to have an IELTS of 6.0 with no component below 5.5.

Documents to be submitted:

• Cover Letter
• CV
• Two academic references
• Transcript (English translation) showing final grade
• IELTS test results (for non- native speakers)

Taught Master's: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

Research Programmes: A minimum overall score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

IELTS Indicator: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band. This test will be accepted for 2022/23 and 2023/24 intake.

Taught Master's: A minimum score of 100 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

Research Programmes: A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

TOEFL iBT Home: A minimum score of 100 is required with a score of at least 20 in each section.

UCD has approved the use of the Duolingo Test of English (DET) for the 2024/25 intake.
An overall score of 130 will be accepted with no section below 110.

Please note that this does not apply to the CEMS MiM / MSc in International Management. In the case of the CEMS MiM the Duolingo English Test will not be accepted.

Linguistics interfaces with a range of areas. It can lead to careers in:

• Data management

• Data mining

• Language industries (e.g. localisation, language teaching, language technology, speech processing)

• computer science (natural language processing, artificial intelligence)

• cognitive science

• education

• speech and language therapy

• publishing  and media