MSc in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching
The Master’s in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching (ALLT) is a specialised distance/online course aimed at teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
The course is particularly suited to teachers who:
Obtaining the MSc ALLT allows many graduates to go on to teach language in universities around the world, or to progress in their career to more senior positions, where a master’s degree is essential. The degree also allows students to pursue further research degrees such as a PhD or EdD.
The programme is a two-year part–time course aimed at working teachers. There is a one-week induction module held in August, with the possibility of attending in–person in Oxford.
Watch our video with the Department’s Director for People, Professor Heath Rose, who gives an overview of the course, who should apply, and why you should choose Oxford.
To apply, you will need to complete an application through the central University website and provide samples of written work and a personal statement.
This two-year part-time course aims to provide a cutting-edge introduction to the linguistic and pedagogic knowledge and skills needed for teaching language. While the concepts covered in the course can be applied to all languages in most contexts, there is a strong opportunity for students to specialise in the teaching of English language in university settings.
The course involves intense online interaction and feedback, using a range of communication channels. Its small-group teaching format pursues the Oxford tradition of demanding much of students and giving them much in return. The course offers a stimulating environment in which students can broaden their knowledge, deepen their understanding and sharpen their skills through contact with current research in applied linguistics.
Students take eight taught modules (six of which are graded) and complete a research dissertation.
Students complete the following modules:
Induction (Formatively assessed residential module)
This module takes place in August before the first assessed module.? Students build a learning community that will continue as an online community, acquire skills in academic reading and writing, carry out a knowledge and skills audit, acquire the basics of quantitative & qualitative data analysis, develop skills in managing their references and accessing Oxford’s diverse electronic resources , develop skills in using the virtual learning environment (VLE), and complete a formatively assessed assignment.
Learning and teaching of vocabulary
Students will:
Materials and assessment in language learning
Students will:
Sociolinguistics and language teaching
Students will:
Individual and group differences in language learning
Students will:
Listening and reading processes in language learning.
Students will develop an understanding of:
Developing second language speaking and writing
Students will develop an understanding of:
Research Methods (Formatively assessed online module)
Research methods will be explored in an embedded fashion through analysis of methods used in the research literature and through tasks that are set in relation to that literature.?This formatively assessed module will explore in more depth the range of experimental designs and methodologies for data collection and analysis used in applied linguistics research. Students will also acquire practical experience of using software for data analysis.?Research groups of students may be formed to undertake a very small research project, which may be formatively assessed.
Except for the formative modules (induction and research methods), all modules are assessed via an end-of-term written assignment of 2,500 words The take-home examination will be marked according to the University’s usual marking scheme and will assess the student’s ability to:
The dissertation is 15,000-20,000 words.
To apply, you will need to complete an application through the central University website and provide samples of written work and a personal statement.
Studying applied linguistics by distance while employed, teaching a second language has given my cohort several great advantages. We have been able to try what we have learnt directly in the classroom to see whether we think the theory works in practice, and we have brought practical knowledge to our discussions
Studying applied linguistics by distance while employed, teaching a second language has given my cohort several great advantages. We have been able to try what we have learnt directly in the classroom to see whether we think the theory works in practice, and we have brought practical knowledge to our discussions
Studying education gives me a chance to contemplate upon my own learning process so that I can more effectively teach my students.
To apply, you will need to complete an application through the central University website and provide samples of written work and a personal statement.
The Department is delighted to offer an Educational Citizenship Scholarship for practising educators who are enrolled on the MSc in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching course at the University of Oxford for Michaelmas Term 2025.
Find out more about the scholarship and how to? apply on our Educational Citizenship Scholarship page.
To apply, you will need to complete an application through the central University website and provide samples of written work and a personal statement.
For more specific details of our admission criteria please visit the University’s? course page for MSc in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching.
Approximately 12-16 places are available on this course, although this number may fluctuate according to need.
The MSc in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching is a distance learning course specifically for experienced teachers of English language.?Please?see the University’s course page for more information.
Our students g are usually experienced language teachers working in diverse contexts around the world. Most of the students are working in English language teaching in university settings both inside and outside of the UK, which creates a very global community. Each year, we also have a smaller number of students who are working in primary and secondary schools, as well as those who teach languages other than English. What our students share is exceptional academic achievement in their previous learning and an ambition to excel academically.
Please? visit the?Fees and Living Costs? page. As this is a distance degree, the only living costs in Oxford are associated with a one-week compulsory residential week at the start of the programme.
We would strongly encourage you to focus your application on the course for which you have the most interest and experience.
Yes, you may apply for any of our courses whilst studying for another degree. If you are successful in achieving a place on one of our programmes, we would make a conditional offer which would include the condition of you achieving your qualification. You are required to submit an interim transcript at application. However, your final outcome would need to be available prior to you commencing the course at Oxford.
If you do not have English as your first language, and you did not conduct your undergraduate education through the medium of English, we would like you to have achieved the higher-level competence in English Language proficiency i.e. IELTS 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each component, or TOEFL 110 (Internet-based).
We do not accept tests which are more than 2 years old. We encourage applicants to apply with a successful IELTS test. If evidence that you successfully meet the English language condition cannot be provided with your application, the language requirement will be set as a condition if an offer is made.
Further information can be found by?visiting the?Application Guide.
For information on applying for a waiver of the English test requirement please visit the Application Guide.
Students can indicate a preference for a particular college at the point of admission, but please note that there is no guarantee that you will be placed at any given College, and a place will be found for you where possible.?
For information about applying to this course, see the course page on the University website.
For a more detailed explanation of the process, see the University’s application guide.
If you require more space on the application form, please contact Graduate Admissions for advice.
If you require more space on the application form, please contact ?Graduate Admissions?for advice.
We strongly recommend that you have at least one reference from your most recent academic tutor. If you are currently in employment, you would be expected to provide a reference from your employer as well as an academic referee who is able to comment on academic capability/suitability for Higher Degree study.
Your ‘Statement of Purpose’ should be a maximum of 750 words, written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific components of the course that interest you. This will be assessed for:
Ideally, we would like to see examples of academic writing from your previous studies. If this is unavailable, we would ask you to write a critical review of a piece of research or one a key topic in applied linguistics or language education. Further information can be found in “how to apply” section of the course page on the University website.
Yes. We will arrange an interview by Microsoft Teams. You will be given advance notice of your interview date and time and we require confirmation of attendance.
The interviews are normally conducted by two interviewers on Microsoft Teams and will focus on your academic background. You may be asked to outline your research interests and how these might be developed during the dissertation element of the course. You may also be asked about your reasons for wanting to study in this area and the reasons why this particular course is of interest to you.
Applications will be considered by the admissions panel within the Department. To see the deadlines, visit the course page on the University website.
You will be informed of our decision by email to ensure that you receive the outcome as soon as possible.
If we are not able to offer you a place, we regret that it is not possible to provide you with feedback on your application.
The University will only consider requests for deferral of entry due to exceptional unforeseen circumstances, and only after all conditions set for the offer (both academic and financial) have been met.
To apply, you will need to complete an application through the central University website and provide samples of written work and a personal statement.
Couldn’t find your answers under our FAQ section?
Please direct any queries to administrative team will be happy to assist you.
Phone: +44 (0) 1865 274183
Email: applied.linguistics@education.ox.ac.uk
To apply, you will need to complete an application through the central University website and provide samples of written work and a personal statement.