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.

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

Research Methodology in Applied Linguistics

Required Specialisation Courses (Choose two)

Discourse Studies 

Language Acquisition Studies 

Sociolinguistic Perspectives on the Classroom 

Language Teaching Methodology

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

Discourse Studies ** 

Language Acquisition Studies ** 

Sociolinguistic Perspectives on the Classroom ** 

Language Teaching Methodology ** 

Language Curriculum: Theory and Practice 

Classroom Discourse Analysis 

Oracy Development and Research 

Research in Teaching Written Discourse 

The Culture and Conventions of Academic Writing 

Corpora in Applied Linguistics

English as an International Language 

Literacies in Society 

Systemic Functional Linguistics 

Topics in Pragmatics 

Language Testing and Assessment 

Critical Literacy: Theory, Practice, and Research

The History and Practice of Reading 

Bilingualism and Biliteracy: Theory and Practice 

Second Language Phonology 

Second Language Reading Pedagogy 

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.

Our tuition fees are subject to revision every academic year.

All fees listed are in Singapore dollars (S$) and are inclusive of

Goods and Services Tax (GST), if applicable, unless indicated otherwise.

The GST payable is based on the prevailing rate and is subject to

changes. The University Council reserves the right to alter fees at any

time without prior notice.

An application fee of $21.40 (inclusive of GST) per application is

payable for applications into our coursework programmes, effective from

January 2012 intake. For research programmes, an application fee of

$53.50 (inclusive of GST) per application will be effective from August

2018 intake.

Fees for each academic year must be paid in advance and within the

stipulated periods. Students who fail to pay fees within the stipulated

periods will have their names removed from the register of higher degree

candidates. A student whose name has been thus removed but who is

otherwise eligible to continue his/her candidature will be reinstated

only after he/she has settled all outstanding fees and paid a

re-registration fee of S$53.50.

A student who withdraws or leaves the University two or more weeks

after the commencement of his/her candidature or the commencement of the

semester, is liable to pay the fees due for the semester.

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;

Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) $1,102.10 $1,297.91 $1,297.91 30个UNIT

Miscellaneous Student Fees

AY2021

(Inclusive of GST)

Full-time Part-time

Master’s Degree by Coursework

Health Service Fee (HSF) $145.80 NA

Student Service Fee (SSF) $386.40 $251.00

Total $532.20 $251.00

“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

The programme will be opened for the January 2023 intake. Application period is from 9 May – 4 July 2022.

This 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 helps

individuals to develop a strong foundation in theories of linguistics and language learning.

Target Audience

Primarily for English language teaching professionals who wish to strengthen their academic qualifications for career advancement,

but it is also suitable for individuals with a keen interest in language-related issues

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.