Home Higher Degrees Masters by Coursework Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics)
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Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics)

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  • The programme will be opened for the January 2021 intake. Application period is from 11 May – 6 July 2020. Click here for more details.

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  • The Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) programme provides a broad-based course of study in the field of applied linguistics, mainly within the fields of language education and language studies, balancing theoretical knowledge with practical application. It is designed primarily for English language teaching professionals who wish to strengthen their academic qualifications for career advancement, but it is also suitable for people with a keen interest in language-related issues.

    This programme helps you to develop a strong foundation in theories of linguistics and language learning by providing you with opportunities to critically review current research in applied linguistics. You will also acquire skills for conducting language pedagogy research and examining language-related issues in various contexts, skills which will undoubtedly contribute towards your overall professional development as language educators and researchers. Through this programme, you will be exposed to many new ideas and skills which you can apply to your specific educational and work contexts, and gain a better understanding of various language-related issues and concerns in Singapore and around the world. As a result, you will be in a stronger position to appreciate and harness the power of language in your professional and everyday lives.

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  • To help you gain maximum benefits from the programme, you should have:

    • A good undergraduate degree in English Language Studies, OR 
      A good undergraduate degree in a related field with a postgraduate diploma in English Language studies;
    • English Language requirements for international applicants whose first language is not English: TOEFL > 580 (paper test) or > 237 (computer test) or IELTS score > 6.5

    For international applicants, more information on the entry requirements can be found here.

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  • There are two options within this programme. You are required to either:

    • Complete 6 courses plus a dissertation (Dissertation option), or
    • Complete 7 courses plus MAE990 Integrative Project (Coursework option)

    You do not have to make the decision when you apply.

    Core Course

    • MAE900 Research Methodology in Applied Linguistics

    Required Specialisation Courses (Choose two)

    • MAE901 Discourse Studies 
    • MAE902 Language Acquisition Studies 
    • MAE903 Sociolinguistic Perspectives on the Classroom 
    • MAE904 Language Teaching Methodology

    Elective Courses (Choose two for dissertation option or three for coursework option)

    • MAE901 Discourse Studies ** 
    • MAE902 Language Acquisition Studies ** 
    • MAE903 Sociolinguistic Perspectives on the Classroom ** 
    • MAE904 Language Teaching Methodology ** 
    • MAE905 Language Curriculum: Theory and Practice 
    • MAE906 Classroom Discourse Analysis 
    • MAE907 Oracy Development and Research 
    • MAE908 Research in Teaching Written Discourse 
    • MAE909 The Culture and Conventions of Academic Writing 
    • MAE910 Corpora in Applied Linguistics
    • MAE911 English as an International Language 
    • MAE912 Literacies in Society 
    • MAE913 Systemic Functional Linguistics 
    • MAE914 Topics in Pragmatics 
    • MAE915 Language Testing and Assessment 
    • MAE916 Critical Literacy: Theory into Practice in the Language Classroom 
    • MAE917 The History and Practice of Reading 
    • MAE918 Bilingualism and Biliteracy: Theory and Practice 
    • MAE919 Second Language Phonology 
    • MAE920 Second Language Reading Pedagogy 
    • MAE921 Psycholinguistics

    ** You may opt to take one or both of the remaining two Required Specialisation courses in fulfilment of your electives requirement.

    One Open Elective Course

    The course is to be selected from any of the courses offered in NIE’s Master’s degree programmes, including the MAAL programme. You are advised to take note of the prerequisites (if any) before registering.

    Please note that not all courses listed under a semester will actually be offered. Course offering depends on staff availability.

    Download the course descriptions for the programme

    In line with SkillsFuture Singapore's (SSG) initiative, some of the courses in this programme can be taken as standalone modular graduate courses and accumulated into credits leading to the master’s degree.

    Important note for matriculated students:
    Please refer to the ISAAC system for the programme structure relevant to your intake during Course Registration or consult your programme leader if you need clarifications.

    Note: Programme structure is subject to changes

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  • The Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) is offered on both part-time and full-time basis. The candidature periods are as follows:

    Full-time

    Minimum

    1 year

    Maximum

    2 years

    Part-time

    Minimum

    2 years

    Maximum

    4 years

  • Our tuition fees are subject to revision on a yearly basis. More details can be found here.

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  • There are generally two intakes a year (January and August). You are advised to visit the website and look out for NIE’s announcements in May/June and November/December to confirm if the programme will be open for application at any particular intake.

    Applicants who are currently working with sponsors, donors or financial institutions to fund their studies, are encouraged to submit their applications early to NIE so as not to miss out on our application period.

    Applications are to be made online.

    More information on required documents for application can be found here.

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  • For more information, please click here.

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  • To view, please click here.

  • GPL Video




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    Hear from our student

    Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) experience by Nick Swallow




    Sharing Session at NIE Postgraduate Fair 2016

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    For more videos taken at NIE Postgraduate Fair 2016, please click here.

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  • “What is truly enriching about this programme is that it adds to our knowledge of language. But what is even more edifying is that it teaches us how to apply that knowledge to our own teaching.”  

    Rozi Bahari, Singapore

    “ELL’s MA programme aroused great interest in me in studying language use and researching ESL/EFL learning and teaching. “  

    Chen Bo, China

    “The MA in Applied Linguistics programme helped me to understand sociolinguistic issues of the community I was living in, and to interact positively in an ethnically and linguistically diverse classroom, guided by intelligent, approachable and caring course tutors.”  

    Sean Lacey, Canada

    “The MA in Applied Linguistics programme in NIE is particularly appropriate for English Language teachers and researchers. I have benefited greatly from the wide range of courses offered here and the insights I have received from the professors. The programme has helped me learn the principles of language research, teaching, and assessment.”

    Farnaz Rajabi Mehr, Iran

    “I have learnt to be a teacher-researcher and to read research critically. I now have a deeper and broader understanding of the learning process of second language learners in general.”  

    Jason Loh, Singapore

    “The MA programme kept me critically looking back on my English teaching in Korea and opened my eyes to the power of language and the significance of language teaching in our society.”  

    Lee Jiyo, Korea