The Master of Linguistics programme—including the PGDipLing and PGCertLing—won’t be accepting new entrants in 2025. But we are hoping to open the programme again in 2026.
An alternative to the MLing is the Master of Applied Linguistics. If you choose this programme, you have the option of taking the Directed Research in Linguistics course (LING 420, 30pts) with one of our Linguistics staff members.
If you have any questions about studying Linguistics with us, email one of our future student advisers at info@vuw.ac.nz.
The world is becoming ever-more connected and multilingual. As it does, there’s increasing demand for researchers with a deep understanding of how languages work.
With our Master of Linguistics, you can build on the knowledge you acquired at undergraduate level and delve deeper into the world of linguistics.
While learning a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods, you’ll hone your analytical and critical skills in this field. You’ll explore areas such as linguistic diversity, intercultural communication, and language processing.
Studying the Master of Linguistics will give you the chance to work with academic staff on their research projects and contribute to the research culture at the School.
You’ll gain a grounding in the quantitative and qualitative methods key to working with linguistic data, and you’ll learn to develop your own complex ideas related to linguistic structure and language use.
You’ll be part of a research-intensive programme, working with internationally renowned researchers who run externally funded projects.
Research areas include language in the workplace, languages of the Pacific, New Zealand English, heritage languages, language variation and speech processing, and the syntax-phonology interface.
You can research an area of linguistics that relates to your goals and interests.
This programme is ranked in the top 50 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Completing the Master of Linguistics will give you transferable high-level skills that can pave the way for a language-related career, research role, or further study at PhD level—either overseas or here in New Zealand.
Your linguistics expertise will be attractive to employers looking for high-level researchers, policy analysts, and communicators in a wide range of language-related fields. You might pursue a career as a speech therapist, language teacher, or dictionary editor. You could get into designing voice-recognition software. Or you might take up a communications role in the business sector or government.
Without the training, knowledge, and connections I received at the University, I wouldn't have found my vocation.
Full storyIsaac Stead
Master of Arts in Linguistics graduate
Every year the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies offers a Linguistics Taught Postgraduate Scholarship, contributing $5,000 towards fees. The School also awards prizes for academic merit.
You can also look for other scholarships based on your level of study, subject area, and background.
The Master of Linguistics programme has links to employers in Wellington through the Language in the Workplace Project. Apart from this, you’ll find many other reasons to live and study in New Zealand’s compact, creative, and vibrant capital.
As a postgraduate student in Linguistics, you’ll be fully integrated into the life of the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies. You’ll build close relationships with your peers, lecturers, and future colleagues. And you’ll have opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops, and social functions.
At the end of your Master’s you can choose to continue your research and apply to do a PhD. In exceptional circumstances, you may be able to upgrade to a PhD during your Master’s study.
A PhD is the highest academic qualification offered by the Faculty. You’ll carry out original and sustained research under supervision from world-class academics.
As a PhD candidate, you’ll also be supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.
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