MA Linguistics: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees

Duration: 2 Years
Avg Fees: ₹1K - 10K PA
Kripal Thapa
Kripal Thapa

Updated on - Jul 26, 2023

MA Linguistics covers a wide range of fundamental topics. Phonetics and phonology, syntax, sociolinguistics, morphology, semantics, and pragmatics are all covered in this programme. The study of language uncovers the factor that unites all languages and pulls significance from nearly every field of study, including archaeology, anthropology, psychology, philosophy, sociology, English, computer science, and nearly all others.

Table of Contents

MA Linguistics Course Details

Degree Masters
Full Form Master of Arts in Linguistics
Duration 2 Years
Age There is no upper age limit.
Entrance Exam BHU PET, JNUEE, DU Entrance exam
Subjects Required BA in Linguistics
Minimum Percentage 50%
Average Fees ₹1K - 10K PA
Average Salary INR 3 - 8 LPA
Employment Roles Speech Trainer, Speech Therapist, Linguist, Proofreader, Editor, Teacher, Lecturer, Dictionary Compiler, Content Writer, Language Coordinator, etc.
Top Recruiters DU University, Anthropological Societies, UNICEF

About MA Linguistics

MA in Linguistics in india is the study of language, linguistics, discovers the common thread uniting all languages and takes inspiration from nearly every field of study, including anthropology, psychology, philosophy, sociology, English and archaeology. By introducing many aspects to the study of language use, it provides an understanding of the fundamental understanding of relationship between language, culture, and society, analytical and linguistic abilities, and skills in the actual application of theories to the social context. This coures falls under the umbrella of Master of Arts.

Eligibility Criteria for MA Linguistics

Students who want to enrol in the MA Linguistics programme must have earned a bachelor's degree in any stream from one of the accredited institutions or colleges in the nation and with a minimum overall grade point average of 50%. In addition to meeting the conventional MA Linguistics eligibility requirements, students must pass the common entrance exams. Additionally, students in the reserved category and those with disabilities may receive some relaxation.

Who Should Pursue an MA Linguistics Course?

MA Linguistics is for students who want to get into the study of the nature, structure, and variety of the human language field. MA Linguistics is a course available for candidates who have graduated from a recognised university. A candidate who wants to work in the field of the publishing house and has a genuine interest in studying languages can apply for this course.

When To Do MA Linguistics Course?

If a student wants to pursue a career in publishing, education, media, communication, social services, computer languages, voice analysis research, communicative disorders, and other language-related fields, he or she should begin at the Bachelor's level. They must have earned a bachelor's degree in any stream from one of the accredited institutions or colleges in the nation and with a minimum overall grade point average of 50 per cent.

How To Get Admission for MA Linguistics?

The candidate's performance on the qualifying exam determines whether they are admitted in full or in part to the MA Linguistics programme. Whether an applicant is admitted to the programme depends on how well they do on a national, state-level, or college-level entrance exam. Given the reputation of the exam as being challenging, enrolling in coaching programmes can aid students in learning the subject. Candidates must also meet the minimal requirements for MA Linguistics eligibility, which include obtaining a master's degree and performing well on the test.

Even though the MA Linguistics admission procedure varies from institution to college, the normal actions one should take to obtain admission are stated below.

How to Apply?

In preparation for the COVID issue, the majority of institutions are transitioning their admissions processes entirely online. Students must go to the official websites of the universities they are going to in order to begin the application process. Students may also enrol offline by visiting the college of their choosing and submitting an application in person along with the required documentation.

Selection Process

Based on their academic performance in their bachelor's degree from an accredited university, candidates are chosen in a merit-based selection process. For admission-based selection, students are required to take the entrance exam. Candidates are then qualified for the subsequent stage of admission. The following admissions procedures vary depending on the college.

Types of MA Linguistics Courses

Both full-time and part-time options are available to aspirants for the course. The several MA Linguistics course types are detailed below:

Full-Time MA Linguistics

The MA Linguistics programme lasts two years and is full-time. In this subject, practical expertise trumps academic understanding. The advantage of a full-time course is that students can gain much more exposure, experience, and knowledge through close contact with other students and teachers. MA Linguistics is a four-semester full-time programme.

Part-Time MA Linguistics

Students who are unable to attend regular classes should enrol in the part-time MA Linguistics course. The programme lasts for two years. The benefit of taking a part-time course is that students can do so while also working, going to school, etc. Some institutions offer part-time or distance learning MA Linguistics programmes.

Distance MA Linguistics

The distance MA Linguistics programme for 2 years is not provided in colleges/institutions because some colleges can’t able to provide long-distance learning for any students. 

To be accepted into the MA Linguistics programme, applicants must pass the admissions tests. The institution in charge of administering the entrance exam may choose to set the requisite cut-off scores. Those who pass the MA Linguistics entrance exam will be able to participate in the final selection process. The following are some of the most well-liked MA Linguistics admission tests:

A Quick Glance at the MA Linguistics Entrance Exams

The requirements for taking the entry above exams vary depending on the organisation administering them, therefore they are entirely dependent on them. The following are some general recommendations for admissions tests:

  • The exam can be offline or online.
  • Three components make up the question paper. Because some of these exams are only dependent on language-related knowledge, they must master the whole syllabus of the entrance exam they will be taking and discipline-based sections.
  • The exam duration is 3 hours.
  • The question paper is set in English.
  • Questions will be MCQ based
  • There may be negative marking schemes.

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in India

India is home to some of the best MA Linguistics universities. Candidates have a variety of choices when it comes to the best MA Linguistics education, depending on their preferences. Depending on the sort of Linguistics curriculum offered, candidates must choose wisely.

Below is the list of the best MA Linguistics Colleges in India:

Sl.No Name of the College
1 Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi
2 BHU, Varanasi
3 Calcutta University
4 University of Delhi
5 Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
6 AMU, Aligarh

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in Delhi

India’s capital city is home to some of the best institutions for MA Linguistics in India. Check the table below for the top MA Linguistics colleges in Delhi:

Sl.No Institution
1 University of Delhi
2 Jawaharlal Nehru University
3 Amity University
4 K.R. Mangalam University

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in Mumbai

Mumbai also has some of the best institutions for MA Linguistics in India. Check the table below for the top MA Linguistics colleges in Mumbai:

Sl.No Institution
1 SNDT Women's University
2 Anjuman I Islam Research Institute
3 College Of Arts Science and Commerce

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in Pune

Pune is home to some of the premier institutions for MA Linguistics in India. Check the table below for the best MA Linguistics colleges in Pune:

Sl.No Institution
1 UniPune
2 Deccan College of Post-Graduate and Research Institute
3 Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University
4 SNDT Women's University

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in Bangalore

The capital city of Karnataka is renowned around the country for colleges offering top MA Linguistics programmes. Check the table below for the best MA Linguistics colleges in Bangalore:

Sl.No Institution
1 MES College of Arts Commerce and Science
2 Government First Grade College
3 Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women
4 SEA College of Arts, Science and Commerce
5 Government Arts College

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in Chennai

The capital city of Tamil Nadu has some of the best colleges for MA Linguistics courses in India. Check the table below for the best MA Linguistics colleges in Chennai:

Sl.No Institution
1 University of Madras
2 Madurai Kamaraj University
3 Bharathiar University
4 Annamalai University
5 Tamil University

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in Jaipur

The Capital City of Rajasthan has some premier institutions in the country for MA Linguistics. Check the table below for top colleges for MA Linguistics in Jaipur:

Sl.No Institution
1 Amity University
2 IPS Business School
3 Banasthali Vidyapith
4 NIMS University
5 Poornima University

Top MA Linguistics Government Colleges

There are several top Government Colleges offering quality MA Linguistics programmes across the country. Check the table below for the top MA Linguistics government colleges in India:

Sl.No Institution
1 Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi
2 BHU, Varanasi
3 Calcutta University
4 University of Delhi
5 Bharathiar University, Coimbatore

Top MA Linguistics Private Colleges

India has seen significant growth in the number of quality MA Linguistics private colleges that offer some of the best programmes in the country. Check the table below for the top MA Linguistics private colleges in India:

Sl.No Institution
1 Lucknow University
3 Garden City University, Bangalore
4 BHU Varanasi

Study MA Linguistics Abroad

MA Linguistics duration of the course is at least two years but can be longer depending on the type of course, the college, and the country. When enrolled in an MA Linguistics programme overseas, students get access to some of the best facilities, lecturers, and resources.Having an MA Linguistics from a foreign university would help the students prepare with the knowledge that is helpful in various sectors of the field.

Linguistics master's degree holders have two more career options available to them. This is because the students will receive both academic and practical knowledge from this course. Below are a few of the top MA Linguistics programmes offered abroad, together with crucial tuition details:

Top MA Linguistics Colleges Abroad

The table below contains the list of some of the best colleges abroad for MA Linguistics:

Institution Fees
University of Notre Dame USD 57,522
Georgetown University USD 53,591
Northwestern University USD 56,567
Duke University USD 59,140
University of Greenwich GBP 15,319 
University of Auckland GBP 18,757 
University of Portsmouth GBP 15,829 
University of the South Pacific GBP 12,459 
Columbia University USD 51,194

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in USA

The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch MA Linguistics programmes in the world. The table below contains the list of top colleges for MA Linguistics in the USA:

Sl.No Institution
1 University of Chicago
2 Stanford University
3 Yale University
4 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
5 Harvard University

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in the UK

The UK has institutions that date back to the 13th century. This makes the UK one of the best destinations for pursuing an MA Linguistics. The table below shows the top colleges for MA Linguistics in the UK:

Sl.No Institution
1 Lancaster University
2 University of Manchester
3 University of Edinburgh
4 University of Liverpool
5 University of Westminster

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in Canada

Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations for MA Linguistics programmes in the world. The table below shows the top universities in Canada for MA Linguistics:

Sl.No Institution
1 Dalhousie University
2 University of Waterloo
3 Trinity Western University
4 University of Guelph
5 Simon Fraser University

Top MA Linguistics Colleges in Australia

For many students, Australia, also known as the 'Land Down Under,' has emerged as one of the top locations for higher education. The list of top colleges for MA Linguistics in Australia is as follows:

Sl.No Institution
1 University of Sydney
2 University of New South Wales
3 University of Technology Sydney
4 Australian National University
5 Macquarie University

Fee Structure for MA Linguistics

The MA Linguistics fee is not fixed and depends on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the MA Linguistics fees include location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the facilities available to the students. The average MA Linguistics course fee in India is around INR 1,000-10,000 PA.

Sl.No. Name of the College Total Fee Structure (INR)
1. Jawaharlal Nehru University 450 PA
2. Banaras Hindu University 1,000 PA
3. Calcutta University 2,400 PA
4. University of Delhi -

Syllabus and Subjects for MA Linguistics

A theoretical and internal study technique are both provided to students in the MA Linguistics degree. The skills necessary for Linguistics can be learned by students. There is a defined format for the MA Linguistics programme. The general subjects that will be covered in the course are listed below:

  • phonetics.
  • phonology.
  • morphology.
  • syntax.
  • semantics.
  • pragmatics.
  • discourse and conversation analysis.
  • typology

Read More: MA Linguistics Syllabus and Subjects

Why Choose MA Linguistics Course?

Before enrolling in a Linguistics course, prospective students should become as knowledgeable as possible about the subject matter. By breaking the question "Why choose MA Linguistics?" into three manageable parts, the answer is made clearer:

What is MA Linguistics All About?

A professional master's course is the MA Linguistics. Students learn about language, phonetics, anthropological perspective, sociological analysis and many more. Linguistics is essential to developments in sectors including valuable intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, argumentation and skills.

What Does a MA Linguistics Graduate Do?

After receiving their degrees, they will be able to create, social, analytical and linguistic skills. Linguistics is essential to developments in sectors including valuable intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, argumentation, and clarity of expression along with skills for making insightful observations, generating predictions, drawing conclusions, making arguments, and communicating such findings to a huge community. Graduates will be knowledgeable in communication skills. Here are some of the most common features:

  • Proofreader: In addition to making sure that texts are readable and entertaining for readers, proofreaders are responsible for ensuring that the text of any written output (such as periodicals, newspapers, and books) is error-free. While copy-reading entails reviewing the work and correcting any issues with style or tone, this consists of grammar and spelling corrections.

Reasons Why MA Linguistics Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?

After earning a MA Linguistics, both fresher and experienced professionals can pursue a variety of career opportunities. It depends on a person's aptitudes, academic performance, skills, and experience. Some of the reasons are

Demand: MA Linguistics is a great career choice for those with a lot of imagination and ideas. Linguistics with the necessary skills are in high demand in developing nations like India to fill positions at critical manufacturing divisions in both private and public sector enterprises. Local businesses now require qualified professionals due to the worldwide supply chain networks. 

Career Growth: Graduates of MA Linguistics can choose from a variety of positions. After accumulating Linguistics expertise, candidates can grow in their jobs.

Skill Development: Students get a lot of opportunities in enhancing their design and creativity skills that are required in the MA Linguistics.

Read More: MA Linguistics Jobs and Scope

MA Linguistics Course Comparison

Each MA programme teaches the fundamentals of business. These are some fundamental Linguistics talents that, when combined with work-specific skills based on core functions and concentrations, will help you land a solid position. Below is a comparison of the MA Linguistics course with the other courses.

MA Linguistics vs MA Applied Linguistics

The table below showcases the differences between MA Linguistics and MA Applied Linguistics:

Course MA Linguistics MA Applied Linguistics
Full-Form MA Linguistics MA Applied Linguistics
Stream Science Science
Course Duration 2 years  2 years 
Eligibility Graduation with a minimum of 50% from a recognized institute A Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks
Entrance Exams BHU PET; JNUEE; DU Entrance exam BHU PET; JNUEE; DU Entrance exam
Top Colleges Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Calcutta University Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Calcutta University
Fees INR 1,000 - 10,000 PA INR 3,000-15,000 LPA

Preparation Tips for MA Linguistics Course

When choosing to pursue an MA Linguistics, students should take a number of things into consideration. The following collection of essential study tips can help students succeed in their studies so they can pass the course and the tests.

Syllabus: The student must fully comprehend the course syllabus. This is the first and most crucial step in the preparation process.

Exam Pattern: Recognize exam structure and the types of questions that are frequently asked. There is a very good chance that the students will be given multiple-choice questions. 

Important topics: Students should focus more on important topics because they are asked about them more frequently. As you read through the chapters, you must keep in mind these sections.  

Practice: Utilize sample exams and test questions from prior years to prepare for questions.

Scope for Higher Education

Aspirants can pursue higher studies after obtaining an MA Linguistics scope. Some of the top courses for higher studies in the field of real estate are as follows:

Salary of an MA Linguistics Graduate

Depending on the specialisation that candidates choose, the pay for MA Linguistics graduates varies. In addition to experience, geography, and the industry they work in, MA Linguistics salaries in India may also be influenced by several other variables.

Graduates can increase their MA Linguistics salary as they obtain more work experience. Starting salaries for MA Linguistics positions often range from INR 3 to 30 LPA.  [Source: PayScale].

Read More: MA Linguistics Salary

Career Options After MA Linguistics Graduation

For MA Linguistics students, there are many positions available in both the public and private sectors. The job roles will change depending on the specialisation one has chosen. Numerous job possibilities with competitive pay packages are available for MA Linguistics graduates in the following job profiles:

  • A researcher in speech studies
  • A counsellor in linguistics and communication
  • A spokesperson
  • A language advisor in the media
  • An intercultural/multilingualism communication expert

Skills That Make You The Best MA Linguistics Graduate

A graduate degree in Linguistics has different course requirements depending on the university and programme you choose. Students that take Linguistics courses will also get expertise in that area. Some of the abilities that MA Linguistics students should have:

  • Attentive
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • Initiative
  • Communication skills 

MA Linguistics Fee Structure

See Various MA Linguistics Colleges in India

Loading...