Language & Linguistics and Philosophy, MA

In this section
Language & Linguistics and Philosophy, MA

Introduction

Do you wonder how our speech and language evolved and why we evolved from caves? Language and Linguistics introduces you to evolution of human language. If you enjoy the way we speak in all its formats this programme will be of interest. Combine this with Philosophy which introduces you to our human behaviour. There are plenty of wide ranging careers to choose from including many utilising language skills fully.

Study Information

At a Glance

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
MA
Duration
48 months
Study Mode
Full Time
Start Month
September
UCAS Code
QV15

Language & Linguistics will introduce you to, among other things, how human language and speech may have evolved, the complex functions and structures of language in its role as a bridge between sound and meaning. You will study the ways in which we acquire languages as children and adults, the ways in which languages vary and the mechanisms by which they change over time.

Philosophers attempt to answer questions such as: What is knowledge? What is the nature of truth? Could the existence of God be proved? Why should we act morally? Philosophy is as much the study of what constitutes a ‘good’ or ‘valid’ argument as it is the application of thought to specific problems.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

View the Aberdeen Global Scholarship

What You'll Study

Year 1

Compulsory Courses

Experience, Knowledge and Reality (PH1023)

Language Structure and Use (LN1507)

Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)

This compulsory evaluation is designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if you need it, to provide support to improve. It is completed on-line via MyAberdeen with clear instructions to guide you through it. If you pass the evaluation at the first assessment it will not take much of your time. If you do not, you will be provided with resources to help you improve. This evaluation does not carry credits but if you do not complete it this will be recorded on your degree transcript.

Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)

This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.

Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

Optional Courses

Plus two courses from the following LN courses:

    Living Language (LN1005)

    Language Myths (LN1006)

    English Past and Present (LN1008)

    Plus 30 credit points from the following courses:

    Controversial Questions (PH1027)

    How Should One Live? (PH1522)

    Logic and Argument (PH1518)

    Environmental Ethics (PH1537)

    Plus further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points.

    Controversial Questions (PH1027)

    15 Credit Points

    We examine questions such as: Is eating animals immoral? Is being a good or bad person a matter of luck? If so, are we justified in punishing bad people? Should anyone be able to set limits on what you can do with your own body, even if it's ‘for your own good’? Should everyone be allowed to state their mind, even if their views are harmful or offensive? Is censorship ever justifiable? Do you have a moral obligation to help those worse-off? Are you unknowingly biased against underprivileged groups?

    How Should One Live? (PH1522)

    15 Credit Points

    What does it mean to live a good life? How do we determine what is good or bad, right or wrong? Are some ways of living better or worse for us? In this course we will look at some central philosophical approaches to answering these questions. Traditions we may engage with include virtue ethics, Chinese ethics, deontology, consequentialism, and feminist ethics. Along the way, we will read the original work of some of the most important scholars in the history of moral philosophy. Students will be encouraged to think deeply, and to explore their own views about what it means to live a (morally) good life.

    Year 2

    Compulsory Courses

    Language in Society (LN2008)

    30 Credit Points

    Language is central to our humanity. Language and society are inextricably linked. Language unites; language divides. This course will develop your understanding of the social nature of language, providing insight into, among other things, the relationship between gender and language, language death and the issue of language policy and planning.

    Elements of English (LN2515)

    30 Credit Points

    We perceive language as an integrated whole, but in fact it exists on many levels. This course investigates these layers of structure through examination of speech sounds, word formation, and sentence construction. We will consider the theory behind these areas of phonology, morphology, and syntax, looking at how they function independently and interact. Students will gain skills to undertake analysis of language structure and think critically about structural elements fundamental to English.

    Optional Courses

    Plus further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points, of which 45 credits must be from level 2 Philosophy courses.

    Year 3

    Optional Courses

    Plus 60 level 3 credits of Language and Linguistics courses.

    Plus 60 credits of level 3 Philosophy courses.

    Year 4

    Optional Courses

    Select ONE of the following dissertation options:

    • Dissertation in Philosophy (PH402D)
    • Dissertation in Language & Linguistics (LN501)

    Plus 30 credits of Philosophy at level 4 and 60 credits points of Language and Linguistics at level 4

    Plus 30 credits of Language and Linguistics at level 4 and 60 credits points of Philosophy at level 4.

    Dissertation in Language and Linguistics (LN4501)

    30 Credit Points

    Once you have successfully completed three years of university-level study of Linguistics, this course allows you to develop and carry out an independent piece of research on a topic of your choice. It might be that a particular taught course has inspired you to explore a topic in more depth; your own reading might have prompted you to wonder about a particular question. You will be supervised by a member of the department who will be happy to give advice and support as you complete your dissertation of 7000-8000 words.

    Dissertations are completed in HS2 (spring), but students will be offered research training workshops in HS1 (autumn), and will be expected to submit a short research proposal for their dissertion in December.

    Dissertation (PH402D)

    30 Credit Points

    The dissertation is on a topic in philosophy. The specific topic will be chosen by the student with the approval of the supervisor. The choice of topics is restricted insofar as it must fall within the teaching competence of the supervisor.

    Another dissertation or Project course must not be undertaken alongside the Philosophy Dissertation

    We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.

    How You'll Study

    Learning Methods

    • Individual Projects
    • Lectures
    • Research
    • Tutorials

    Assessment Methods

    Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

    • Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
    • Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
    • Written examinations at the end of each course.

    The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

    Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

    Why Study Language & Linguistics and Philosophy?

    Language lies at the heart of human interaction and is a defining human trait that sets us apart from all other species. Linguistics teaches us how to analyse, discuss and model this singularly human attribute. In studying Linguistics you will understand yourself and human societies more fully.

    • At Aberdeen, you will be at the heart of a vibrant linguistics research and teaching community.
    • Excellent learning facilities.
    • A programme designed to develop analytical and practical skills you gain will be of immediate benefit in a wide variety of careers.
    • Two key features make Philosophy at Aberdeen especially attractive: the breadth of the courses on offer and the user-friendly character of course materials and the staff who deliver them.
    • New students can choose from a varied menu including Moral Philosophy, Informal and Formal Reasoning, Metaphysics, Epistemology, the Philosophy of Science and History of Philosophy.

    Entry Requirements

    Qualifications

    The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.


    General Entry Requirements

    2024 Entry

    SQA Highers

    Standard: AABB

    Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.

    Minimum: BBB

    Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.

    Adjusted: BB

    Applicants who achieve BB over S4 and S5 and who meet one of the widening access criteria are guaranteed a conditional offer. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.

    More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

    A LEVELS

    Standard: BBB

    Minimum: BBC

    Adjusted: CCC

    More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

    International Baccalaureate

    32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.

    Irish Leaving Certificate

    5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

    Entry from College

    Advanced entry to this degree may be possible from some HNC/HND qualifications, please see www.abdn.ac.uk/study/articulation for more details.

    2025 Entry

    SQA Highers

    Standard: BBBB

    Applicants who have achieved BBBB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.

    Minimum: BBC

    Applicants who have achieved BBC at Higher and meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an unconditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees. 

    Adjusted: BB

    Applicants who have achieved BB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.

    We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional C grade at Higher. 

    Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.

    More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

    A LEVELS

    Standard: BBC

    Minimum: BCC

    Adjusted: CCC

    More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

    International Baccalaureate

    32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.

    Irish Leaving Certificate

    5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

    Entry from College

    Advanced entry to this degree may be possible from some HNC/HND qualifications, please see www.abdn.ac.uk/study/articulation for more details.

    The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Arts and Social Sciences degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.


    English Language Requirements

    To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

    IELTS Academic:

    OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

    TOEFL iBT:

    OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

    PTE Academic:

    OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

    Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

    OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

    Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

    Fees and Funding

    You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.

    Fee information
    Fee category Cost
    EU / International students
    Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £20,800
    Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) £14,800

    The above fee includes the £6,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.

    Home Students
    Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £1,820
    England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland
    Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £9,535

    Scholarships and Funding

    UK Scholarship

    Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.

    Aberdeen Global Scholarship

    The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.

    Funding Database

    View all funding options in our Funding Database.

    Careers

    There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

    Our Experts

    Information About Staff Changes

    You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

    Discover Uni

    Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.

    Get in Touch

    Contact Details

    Address
    Student Recruitment & Admissions
    University of Aberdeen
    University Office
    Regent Walk
    Aberdeen
    AB24 3FX

    Social Media