Philosophy of Language

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have an undergraduate honours degree (usually at 2:1 level or above) or equivalent in a relevant subject area, for example linguistics, English language, English literature, philosophy, sociology or politics. Related areas such as history, cultural theory and TEFL are also acceptable.

Applicants without these backgrounds will be considered on the basis of appropriate experience in one of the above areas, or some professional experience in teaching English, demonstrating some familiarity with linguistic analysis and metalanguage.

Applicants without a good first degree may be required to provide written evidence (for example an assignment from a training course or an essay set by the admissions team) of their analytical and reflective skills in writing.

Applicants should also be able to demonstrate that they are capable of undertaking masters-level study and sustained academic work.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Philosophy of Language MA is designed for students with a particular interest in philosophy and ways in which its principles and teachings can be applied to the study of language.

The study of language has given rise to a number of distinctive philosophical problems that became central to Western philosophy in the nineteenth century and that have dominated research and discussion in the twentieth century.

Our philosophy modules give you a thorough grounding in philosophical insights, as you engage in critical reflection on the relationship between sociopolitical context and philosophical debate. You explore the history of philosophy from the Enlightenment to the twentieth century, examining the variety of critical and analytical traditions that have emerged from those foundations.

Philosophy of language modules examine the influence of philosophical theories on the analysis of language, focusing on the critical analysis of the relationship between the philosophy of language and linguistics.