Master of Applied Linguistics (MC-APLING)

Overview

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree in any discipline with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• relevance of previous studies; and, if relevant
• the professional experience

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. The minimum English language requirement for this course is IELTS Band 6.5 on average with no band below 6.0.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit:

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a weighted average mark of at least an H2B (70%), or equivalent.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:

• an honours degree in a cognate discipline with a weighted average mark of at least an H2B (70%), or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent, and at least two years of documented, relevant work experience.

Applicants must provide the following documentation in support of their application for the recognition of prior professional experience:

• brief curriculum vitae, detailing work experience;
• contact details of two referees;
• a covering letter outlining the applicants professional background and how this prepares them to successfully undertake the program.

In some cases, an interview and/or two reference letters from employers/managers detailing the period of employment and areas of responsibility, and/or evidence of written work or reports undertaken during the period of employment may be requested.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005) and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF127). For the purposes of considering requests for reasonable adjustments, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the overview, attributes, outcomes and skills of this entry. Further details about how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Course structure

The Master of Applied Linguistics has three entry point programs: 200-point (two years full-time/up to four years part-time), 150-point (one and a half years full-time/up to three years part-time) and 100-point (one year full-time/up to two years part-time) programs.

Completion of one specialisation is required.

Please refer to individual Specialisations.

All required compulsory, foundation core selective and capstone subjects for your specialisation and entry point must be completed to be eligible to graduate from the program.

Capstone Requirement:

Capstone subject options must be completed in the final hundred points of the program. All students are required to complete one Capstone subject option (25 points). This requirement cannot be waived or replaced in any circumstances:

Capstone Stream 1: LING90010 Minor thesis (25 points)

Purpose: an opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills within the English Language specialisation or the TESOL specialisation or the Language Testing specialisation

Capstone Stream 2: LING90041 Projects in Applied Linguistics (25 points)

Purpose: an opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills from chosen specialisations: the English Language or the TESOL or the Language Testing to real-world projects

Melbourne Policy Library

For policies that govern this degree, see the Courses, Subjects, Awards and Programs Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Library:

https://policy.unimelb.edu.au/MPF1327/#section-4.15

Students also should also refer to information in the Enrolment and Timetabling Policy:

https://policy.unimelb.edu.au/MPF1294/#section-4.1

Majors, minors & specialisations

All the following specialisations can be studied under one of three entry point programs:

• English Language
• Language Testing
• TESOL

Further study

Students who complete the thesis option may be eligible to undertake a PhD or Masters by Research program.

External Subject Rule

Student may undertake an external subject (not listed within the program structure) with the permission of the program and subject coordinator.  All external subject requests must be for the elective subject requirement, not as a compulsory, core or capstone subject. The maximum external subjects allowed are as follows:

• 200 point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (2 years): maximum 25 points.
• 150 point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (1.5 years): maximum 12.5 points.
• 100* point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (1 year): 12.5 points
• 50*^ point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (0.5 years): 0 points.

* GC-ARTS, GD-ARTS, GCA-ARTS and GDA-ARTS students are not normally granted permission to undertake external subjects towards their degree.

^ Exception: Students admitted to 50 point programs may apply to take LING90002, Presenting Academic Discourse, as an external subject.

Please note that advanced standing contributes to a student’s remaining points undertaken at University of Melbourne, and may affect how many points the student can undertake outside the enrolled program.

Last updated: 20 February 2025