Master of General and Applied Linguistics (Advanced)

As language assumes ever greater importance in an interconnected, multilingual world, the study of linguistics and applied linguistics is relevant to a growing number of careers from language teaching to natural language processing. In the Master of General and Applied Linguistics, you will have the opportunity to explore diverse topics across general and applied linguistics areas including structural linguistics, sociolinguistics, language acquisition, language contact, language teaching, language and culture, social interaction, forensic linguistics and language documentation. The program explores questions such as:

In what ways are languages different and similar?

How and why does language change over time?

How are language and culture connected?

How do we learn language?

What are effective ways of teaching languages?

You will engage deeply with current research, explore both established and more recent research methods, and carry out guided research activities in linguistics and applied linguistics. The program is well-suited to people wishing to expand their knowledge about language for professional purposes as well as to those who would like to undertake further research. The degree also offers the optional opportunity to study a broad range of languages for people wishing to develop their proficiency in an additional language or even to start learning a new language.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present one of the following:

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Progression Requirements: Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the first 48 units of courses attempted in order to remain enrolled in the Master of General and Applied Linguistics (Advanced). If the total number of units attempted exceeds 48 in the same teaching period in which the 48th unit is attempted, exactly 48 units will be used in the calculation of the weighted average mark with units from the course with the highest mark applied first followed by further units from courses in descending order of marks.

Students must have the written agreement of an identified supervisor in order to enrol in THES8102 one semester in advance of the start date of the Thesis semester. Students who do not have the written agreement of an identified supervisor one semester in advance, or whose agreed supervisor either subsequently leaves the university or is on leave from the university, will be transferred to the Master of General and Applied Linguistics.

Ranking and English language proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support

Employment Opportunities

The Master of General and Applied Linguistics will advance your career in education, translation and interpreting, language teaching, speech pathology, audiology, editing, language policy, cross-cultural communication, language documentation and other positions in government and private business. It is also a pathway to further studies.