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University of Aberdeen · Undergraduate
MA (Hons) Language and Linguistics with Mandarin Bachelor's degree at the University of Aberdeen
MA (Hons) Language and Linguistics with Mandarin at University of Aberdeen combines systematic study of language structure and theory with practical Mandarin language skills.
MA (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
MA (Hons) Language and Linguistics with Mandarin is a Bachelor's degree (MA (Hons)) at the University of Aberdeen, based in Old Aberdeen. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For English studies graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for English & Literature, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
9.3
/ 10
Exceptional
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional95
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90
Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional95
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 95% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 7 modules
- Academic Writing for Language & LiteratureCompulsory
Module details
This compulsory evaluation is designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if you need it, to provide support to improve.
- Getting Started at the University of AberdeenCompulsory
Module details
This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term. Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
- Mandarin Chinese for Beginners 1Compulsory15 credits
Module details
This course aims to familiarize students with the basics of spoken and written forms of Mandarin Chinese. Emphasis will be placed first on speaking and listening, particularly pronunciation and tones. The written form will be presented first through the medium of pinyin and gradually students will be introduced to a small number of the highest frequency characters. The emphasis will be on dialogue and role play.
- Mandarin Chinese for Beginners 2Compulsory15 credits
Module details
This course will continue to familiarize students with the basics of spoken and written forms of Mandarin Chinese. Emphasis will be on speaking and listening, particularly pronunciation and tones, and on aural comprehension. Students will continue to learn through the medium of pinyin and will be introduced to more of the highest frequency characters. Grammatical exercises, drills and simple reading, translation and writing exercises will be introduced.
- Language Structure and useCompulsory15 credits
Module details
This course opens up new ways for students to think about language by introducing them to the fundamentals of English linguistics. Students will learn how to identify and analyse the major building blocks of language in phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Examples for illustration and discussion will be drawn from varieties of English spoken in the British Isles and worldwide, with lectures and tutorials geared to providing students with an active vocabulary with
- Living LanguageOptional15 credits
Module details
How does the way we use language shape our lives, and how does the way we live shape the language we use? Moving beyond strict notions of structure, this course explores communication in practice, examining how language works in various contexts and cultures. It addresses contemporary social issues that are principally or partly communicative in nature, challenging common misconceptions and giving students an understanding of the contribution awareness of language can make to numerous fields.
- English Past and PresentOptional15 credits
Module details
How do we get from Beowulf to 'bae'? From Chaucer to 'sashay away'? This course will look at the development of English over the last millennium and beyond, examining language changes in sound, structure and meaning. You will also be introduced to present-day study of English, its spread as a truly global language, and how all of this can add to our understanding of language in the modern world and in the past.
Year 2 4 modules
- Mandarin for Beginners 3Compulsory15 credits
Module details
Building on work done in MN 1501 this intensive language course, which forms part of the Sustained Study Programme, will further develop all four basic language skills, reading, writing, speaking and listening. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of these skills.
- Mandarin for Beginners 4Compulsory15 credits
Module details
Building on work done in MN 2001, this course will further develop all four basic language skills, reading, writing, speaking and listening. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of these skills.
- Language in SocietyCompulsory30 credits
Module details
Language is central to our humanity. Language and society are inextricably linked. Language unites; language divides. This course will develop your understanding of the social nature of language, providing insight into, among other things, the relationship between gender and language, language death and the issue of language policy and planning.
- Elements of EnglishCompulsory30 credits
Module details
We perceive language as an integrated whole, but in fact it exists on many levels. This course investigates these layers of structure through examination of speech sounds, word formation, and sentence construction. We will consider the theory behind these areas of phonology, morphology, and syntax, looking at how they function independently and interact. Students will gain skills to undertake analysis of language structure and think critically about structural elements fundamental to English.
Year 3 2 modules
- Mandarin 5Compulsory15 credits
Module details
This language course builds on previous Mandarin courses and is only available to students who have passed MN2501.
- Mandarin 6Compulsory15 credits
Module details
This course follows on from what has been taught in Mandarin 5.
Year 4 1 modules
- Dissertation in Language and LinguisticsCompulsory30 credits
Module details
Once you have successfully completed three years of university-level study of Linguistics, this course allows you to develop and carry out an independent piece of research on a topic of your choice. It might be that a particular taught course has inspired you to explore a topic in more depth; your own reading might have prompted you to wonder about a particular question. You will be supervised by a member of the department who will be happy to give advice and support as you complete your dissert
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course combines English and Literature study with Mandarin language learning. A course like this typically begins with foundational literary skills, close reading and critical writing across poetry, prose and drama, alongside language fundamentals. Year 1 usually introduces literary history from medieval to Renaissance texts, and the critical theories that shape how literature is read. Year 2 normally moves through Enlightenment, Romantic and Victorian writing, then modern and contemporary literature including global anglophone work, often with workshop-based creative or applied writing. By Year 3, you'll usually specialise through options such as Shakespeare and early modern texts, contemporary fiction, critical theory, world literature, or publishing pathways, whilst developing research skills through advanced seminars and an independent dissertation project. Mandarin language study progresses alongside literary study throughout the degree.
Who it's for
This course suits students interested in how language works, its structure, variation, and use, alongside gaining fluency in Mandarin. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; typical entrants had a UCAS tariff of 208–223 points. You should be prepared for sustained academic study combining theoretical linguistics with language practice over four years.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 85% of English and Literature graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. Graduate earnings across the field are typically £23,000–£30,000 at the 15-month point, £19,975–£28,200 after three years, and £24,650–£34,800 after five years. These are national figures from Graduate Outcomes and Longitudinal Education Outcomes data, not university-specific guarantees. Mandarin proficiency may open opportunities in translation, international business, education, and cultural institutions.
University & format
University of Aberdeen is a public university founded in 1495, located in Old Aberdeen, Scotland. This MA (Hons) degree is studied full-time over 4 years, delivered in English. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, with degrees that hold national recognition. Recent student outcomes show that 90% of students continue past their first year, and 85% of humanities graduates across English and Literature courses nationally are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Typical entry tariff among accepted students falls between 208–223 UCAS points, with 85% of recent entrants holding A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 100%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent85% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 208 - 223 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Aberdeen's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 85% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*+A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeQT10quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code QT10). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Aberdeen whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
International£20,800 / yr
Provider fee page. Set under Scotland's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at University of Aberdeen →If you normally live in Scotland
For eligible Scottish-domiciled students at an eligible Scottish provider, SAAS can pay tuition directly. Living-cost support can combine bursary and loan and depends on household income and student circumstances. Students from elsewhere use their home funding body.
Check the current amounts with SAAS →Paying for it
- SAAS tuition payment: paid directly to the university for eligible Scottish-domiciled students, applied for through SAAS.
- Living-cost support: a mix of bursary and loan from SAAS, depending on household income.
- Repayment: only above the Scottish repayment threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Scotland runs its own system through SAAS; check saas.gov.uk for current rates.
Funding matched to this course
All University of Aberdeen funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What English & Literature graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £25,500 | £24,000 – £31,000 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £20,500 | £17,000 – £28,000 | 75 |
| 5 years after | £26,500 | £21,000 – £34,000 | 80 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
90%
in work or further study 15 months on
60%
in highly skilled work or study
95%
continue past their first year
65%
find their work meaningful
50%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in english & literature · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs English & Literature nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£25,500
£23,000 – £30,000After 3 years LEO
£20,500
£19,975 – £28,200After 5 years LEO
£26,500
£24,650 – £34,800national rangethis course’s medianaxis £18,500 – £36,000
National figures for English & Literature graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
90 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
50% working40% working and studying5% in further study60% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with English & Literature courses at the same study level.
This course £26,500Peer median £29,000Middle 50% £25,500–£31,500
32nd percentile
Compared with 1,436 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 40; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How English & Literature graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across English & Literature courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where English & Literature graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Publishers
- Media & broadcasters
- Marketing & PR agencies
- Charities & public sector
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit English & Literature graduates.
English GraduateRibbons and Reeves LimitedEnglish, Maths & Digital Skills ManagerHIT TrainingEnglish Certification Examiner (Written & Oral) – Paid TrainingPearsonEnglish Supply Teachers - Oldham and RochdaleTradewind RecruitmentLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Fees for this course are set under Scotland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Tuition for eligible Scottish-domiciled students is paid by SAAS directly to the university, applied for through SAAS and not Student Finance England. Living-cost support is a mix of bursary and loan, and you repay only above the Scottish threshold.
📈
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £25,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.3 out of 10: NSS 94.6% · in work or study 90% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Aberdeen
All students13,930
International18.8%
Aged 25+29.2%
Language and area studies across the UK
Students75,355
Aged 25+23.7%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is English & Literature right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Aberdeen from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £20,800 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
University of Aberdeen offers the Aberdeen Global Scholarship (£6,000/yr) for international students, see Scholarships above.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Aberdeen and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Aberdeen
MA (Hons) Anthropology and EnglishMA (Hons) · University of AberdeenMA (Hons) Anthropology and Language & LinguisticsMA (Hons) · University of AberdeenMA (Hons) Archaeology and Language & LinguisticsMA (Hons) · University of AberdeenMA (Hons) Art History and EnglishMA (Hons) · University of AberdeenEnglish & Literature at other universities
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 208 - 223 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by the University of Aberdeen. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For English studies graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
Fees for this course are set under Scotland's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Tuition for eligible Scottish-domiciled students is paid by SAAS directly to the university, applied for through SAAS and not Student Finance England. Living-cost support is a mix of bursary and loan, and you repay only above the Scottish threshold. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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