Language & Linguistics and Psychology (MA)

48 Months On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Aberdeen

Program Overview

The MA (Hons) Language, Linguistics and Psychology at the University of Aberdeen explores how language works alongside the science of mind and behaviour, giving you a distinctive interdisciplinary degree. This programme is ideal for students interested in communication, cognition, and language development, combining linguistic analysis with psychological approaches to understanding how people think and interact.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1
In the first year, you build a strong foundation in both linguistics and psychology. You will study courses such as Introductory Psychology I: Concepts and Theory, Introductory Psychology I: Methods and Applications, and Language Structure and Use, alongside modules like English Past and Present. These courses introduce core ideas about behaviour, cognition, and how language is structured and used in different contexts.

Year 2
The second year develops your understanding of language in social and cognitive contexts. You will take courses such as Language in Society and continue with more advanced psychology topics that deepen your knowledge of research methods and behavioural science. This stage focuses on language variation, communication, and psychological processes behind learning and interaction.

Year 3
In year three, you move into honours-level study and begin to specialise in areas of interest. You may explore topics such as psycholinguistics, cognition, and language change while strengthening your research and analytical skills. Learning becomes more critical and applied, linking linguistic theory with psychological explanations of behaviour and communication.

Year 4
The final year focuses on advanced optional courses and an independent dissertation project. You will study specialised topics such as language processing, sociolinguistics, or cognitive psychology while completing supervised research combining linguistics and psychology. This honours year allows you to develop expertise and prepare for graduate careers or further study.

Focus areas (in a string):
Language structure, psycholinguistics, cognition and behaviour, language acquisition, sociolinguistics, communication, linguistic variation, research methods, language and society, cognitive processes

Learning outcomes (in a string):
Analyse language scientifically, apply psychological and linguistic theories, conduct behavioural and language research, interpret linguistic data, develop critical thinking, communicate research findings, understand cognition and communication, evaluate interdisciplinary evidence

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The psychology component of the programme is designed to support progression towards professional psychology training, while the linguistics pathway develops analytical and communication skills valued in language, research, and communication-focused careers.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Aberdeen has a strong reputation for teaching and research in both psychology and linguistics, with graduates developing transferable skills in analysis, communication, and research that are valued across multiple sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the MA (Hons) Language, Linguistics and Psychology at the University of Aberdeen build practical skills by working in specialist language and psychology research facilities. Teaching is closely linked to ongoing research, giving you experience in designing experiments, analysing speech and language data, and studying cognition using professional tools. You’ll also complete independent and group-based research projects, particularly in the honours years, where laboratory work and data analysis become a central part of learning:

Language and Number Lab equipped with E-Prime software, response boxes, microphones, and audio recorders for language processing experiments
Speech and audio analysis using Adobe Audition and lexical databases such as CELEX for linguistic research
Psychophysiology Centre with EEG equipment for studying brain responses during language and cognitive tasks
Eye-tracking and behavioural testing facilities for investigating reading behaviour, attention, and language comprehension
Visual perception and psychophysics laboratories supporting research into cognition and sensory processing
Computer-based experimental design and statistical analysis for linguistic and psychological datasets
Independent honours dissertation involving supervised research in language, linguistics, or psychology
Group research projects designing experiments, surveys, and behavioural studies
Access to participant pools including students and community volunteers for real-world language and cognition research
Dedicated research spaces and computing labs for collaborative project work
University library collections supporting linguistics, psychology, and cognitive science research

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MA (Hons) Language, Linguistics and Psychology at the University of Aberdeen gain a strong combination of communication, research, and behavioural science skills that open doors across multiple industries. Many move into careers such as speech and language therapy, communications specialist, language teacher, or research assistant, while others pursue roles in media, education, and public services. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree prepares you for careers that require understanding language, cognition, and human behaviour together:

Support from the University of Aberdeen Careers and Employability Service including one-to-one career guidance, CV and application workshops, interview preparation, and job search support
Employer networking events, careers fairs, and recruitment sessions connecting students with organisations across education, media, and public sector industries
Development of transferable skills including communication, data analysis, research design, and critical thinking valued by employers
Career pathways in speech and language therapy, language teaching, publishing, journalism, broadcasting, communications, and research roles
Preparation for roles in media organisations, education providers, healthcare environments, and corporate communication teams
Strong analytical and linguistic skills suitable for research organisations, policy-related work, and behavioural insight roles
Long-term value for careers requiring postgraduate training in psychology, linguistics, or speech and language professions
Access to alumni networks and employability initiatives supporting graduate career development

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this programme, students can progress to postgraduate study in areas such as speech and language therapy, linguistics, psychology, cognitive science, or communication studies. The degree also provides a strong foundation for teaching qualifications, specialised master’s programmes, or PhD research in language, linguistics, and behavioural science fields.