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Information about the Graduate Diploma in Second Language Teaching (GDipSLT) is presented separately.

Check the language requirements for postgraduate study at the University of Otago

If relevant, you should also check the information for international students applying for a postgraduate programme.

Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy - Postgraduate Degrees by Research

Linguistics has a large, varied and successful postgraduate student population given the small size of its programme. It has an outstanding record in securing scholarships for both MA and PhD students.

Both former and current students have presentations and publications in local and international outlets. A number of our former PhD students hold academic appointments both in New Zealand and abroad.

See our postgraduate student profiles page and review the topics of past theses.

Visit the Master of Arts (Linguistics) page for information about the Master of Arts in Linguistics.

Visit the Doctor of Philosophy (Linguistics) page for information about the Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics.

Master of Arts (Coursework) programme for Humanities students

The Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA (Coursework)) programme is designed to provide a multi-disciplinary grounding for Humanities students in a range of subjects as preparation for further study or future employment.

The programme will take either 12 months or three semesters of full-time study to complete. The programme can also be studied part-time.

More about the new Master of Arts (Coursework) programme.

Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)

This study option is available to candidates who hold a BA degree with a major in Linguistics. The Postgraduate Diploma may be taken in one year (full-time) or in more than one year (part-time).

View further information about the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)

See the information on eligibility below. The requirements for this PGDipArts are the same as those for the Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).

BA Honours and Postgraduate Diploma Dissertation (LING490)

Download our Linguistics BA Honours and Postgraduate Diploma Information (PDF)

Eligibility for BA(Hons) / PGDip

Potential applicants to BA(Hons)/PGDip study in Linguistics are expected to have

  • a bachelor's degree in a suitable area of study,
  • an overall GPA of B+ or better,
  • and a topic in an area of staff expertise and interest.

If you do not meet these requirements, you are unlikely to receive a favourable reply to your enquiry.

Consult staff webpages as a general guide to staff research interests
Staff may indicate many interests but prefer some topics, approaches, and methods to others. Consult their recent publications for more precise information about their current areas of interest.

For initial enquiries about the postgraduate diplomas, please contact:

Dr Simon Overall
Email simon.overall@otago.ac.nz

View the Linguistics Postgraduate Booklet for further information (PDF)

Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)

If you already have a degree in another subject and want to acquire a good knowledge of Linguistics, the Diploma for Graduates could be an option for you.

View further information about the Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)

For linguistics-related elements of the diploma, please contact:

Dr Simon Overall
Email simon.overall@otago.ac.nz

PhD Scholarship

First offered in 2017 is the University of Otago City of Literature PhD Scholarship. The English and Linguistics Programme invites applications for this new doctoral scholarship in literary studies. Potential topics that play on the Programme's strengths include literature and language pedagogy, and linguistic approaches to literature. Applications close on 1 February.

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