MA APPLIED LINGUISTICS & INTERCULTURAL STUDIES

The MA in Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Studies is a one-year full time (or two-year part-time) taught programme and is offered on a full-time basis using a combination of faculty-student contact hours and self-directed learning and research. It aims to provide students who already have a background in a foreign language and linguistics at undergraduate level with an opportunity to specialise at a postgraduate level in the areas of sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, corpus linguistics, bi- and multilingualism, second language pedagogy and the role of English in a globalised world. What makes this programme unique in Ireland is two-fold: the inclusion of Intercultural Studies, allowing students to expand their linguistic specialisation to cognate (inter)cultural contexts such as intercultural competence and the interplay of language and culture; and the genuinely multilingual orientation of the programme focusing not only on English, but also other international languages like French, German and Spanish. The programme introduces students to academic research, new ideas and approaches. It aims to equip students with academic, analytical, creative and reflective skills in order to foster interest and involvement in research in the fields of applied linguistics and intercultural studies.

The programme is structured into core (compulsory) and elective (optional) modules in order to ensure concomitantly a solid foundation in the core themes of Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Studies, and to provide students with the flexibility to pursue their chosen areas of interest and passion.

It is possible to study modules of particular interest without completing a Masters degree, or to exit with a Postgraduate Diploma (Level 9) in Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Studies after completing 60 credits of taught modules.

BA in a cognate discipline such as languages, linguistics, media, communication, English (with at least II.1 Honours degree) or equivalent (e.g. significant experiential learning).

Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

IELTS : 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band

Duolingo English Test (DET) : The minimum requirement will be a DET score of 120 - with at least 110 in each individual subscore. 

Pearson Test of English : 63 with no less than 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section

TOEFL internet-based test  : iBT: 90 with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section

The MA in Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Studies equips its students for entry into a number of career paths, as well as providing existing practitioners and professionals with an opportunity for continuous professional development. These include: teaching at various levels (including university), school management, the business world, politics, publishing and marketing, the media, public relations, journalism, materials development, adult education and support, and indeed further study to PhD level. The PhD in Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Studies at Maynooth University offers a tailored follow-on programme to the MA. Students will be able to engage deeply in researching a chosen topic in this area to qualify as a much sought-after specialist in applied linguistics and/or intercultural studies.