English language and linguistics

Why study with us

Study linguistics and communication at an advanced level while also gaining valuable transferable skills such as high-level critical thinking, analysis and problem solving, together with independent research skills.

Research with impact

Placed 4th in the UK for research impact and 5th for research power in English Language and Literature (REF 2021).

Top 100 worldwide

Globally, we’re positioned in the top 100 universities for the study of English Language and Literature (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

Employability

93% of our postgraduate taught graduates were in employment and/or further study, due to start a new job or course, or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after the end of their course. (Graduate Outcomes survey 2020/21)

Forensic Linguistics (MA)

Full time, Part time

Train alongside international experts at the agenda-setting Centre for Language and Communication Research, home of the world’s first MA in Forensic Linguistics.

Language and Linguistics (MA)

Full time, Part time

Master the skills of linguistic analysis in a flexible programme taught by leading experts in the field.

Critical and Cultural Theory (PhD)

Full-time, part-time

Students on the PhD Critical and Cultural Theory receive supervision from academic staff with a long-standing commitment to excellence and diversity in research, who work at the forefront of pioneering research in critical and cultural theory.

Language and Communication (PhD)

Full-time, part-time

Researching language and communication in theory and practice.

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MA Opportunities

Applied Linguistics

Find out more about our MA Applied Linguistics.

Forensic Linguistics

Find out more about our MA Forensic Linguistics.

Language and Linguistics

Find out more about our MA Language and Linguistics.

Language and Communication Research

Find out more about our MA Language and Communication Research.

Discover our School

Get a glimpse of what it might be like to study with us in Cardiff.

I thoroughly enjoyed taking the MA in Language and Communication Research, due to its extensive focus on both quantitative and qualitative research design, and also the flexibility it allowed when choosing a topic for my dissertation. I was able to explore topics of particular interest to me, while also learning highly valuable research skills. I believe that through acquiring the knowledge and skills taught within the MA, I was afforded a concrete foundation from which to smoothly transition to doctoral research.

Alex Carr MA Language and Communication Research

Learn more about us

Applying world-class research

Applying our research to important social challenges, we use linguistic theory and a wide range of methods to explore how language works as a system, and how it is used to define identity and reflect and mould attitudes.

Postgraduate research

Our field-leading Centre for Language and Communication Research has built an international reputation in sociolinguistics, professional and critical discourse analysis, multimodal communication, language acquisition and loss, systemic functional linguistics, forensic linguistics, corpus linguistics and formulaic language. Pursue your PhD or MPhil ambitions in this dynamic environment.

Centrally located

Study in the heart of our leafy city centre campus at the John Percival Building, with easy access to the University’s magnificent Special Collections and Archives in the adjacent Arts and Social Sciences Library.

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Student support

Get free, impartial and confidential advice on disability and dyslexia, money, careers, counselling and more.avirus (COVID-19). We’re keeping some measures in place to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time with us.

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Funding your studies

Learn more about the scholarships, UK government support packages and student loans available to you.

Browse our accommodation

We have a variety of halls and houses to suit your preferences, interests and budgets.

Living costs

See how far your money goes by using our living costs calculator.

Next steps

View our English language and linguistics postgraduate taught courses

Explore our courses.

View our English language and linguistics postgraduate research course

Explore our courses.

Contact us

Ask a question via our enquiry form, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

How to apply

Everything you need to know about our application process.

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Source: Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2023. Jisc cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data.