
Course at a Glance
- MasterDegree level
- 2 yearsDuration
- Vancouver, CanadaLocation
- September 2027Intakes
- LinguisticsField of study
- EnglishLanguage of instruction
- VancouverCampus
- Master of Arts in Linguistics (MA)Awards
- $10,082Fees
- AvailableScholarship
About this programme
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguists are interested in questions such as the following: What are the structural properties of languages, at the level of sounds, words, sentences, and meaning?
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To what extent are the languages of the world similar or different? How is language acquired, by children and in adulthood? How is it processed in the mind/brain? How do people produce and perceive speech? How do languages change over time? Linguistics is a highly interdisciplinary field which combines research methods from the humanities and the social, natural, and mathematical sciences. Research in the Department covers a broad range of topics, with substantial coverage of syntax, semantics, morphology, phonetics, phonology, and pragmatics. We approach these topics from several different research traditions and backgrounds, with particular strengths in formal-theoretical linguistics, experimental and field linguistics, acquisition, and computational approaches to the study of communicative behaviour. These research areas intersect and overlap considerably, and faculty and students are often simultaneously involved in more than one area. This is part of the attention paid to interfaces between traditional subfields of linguistics and methodological traditions (e.g., laboratory phonology, gesture and speech and learning). The Department also has a strong commitment to the study of Languages of the Americas, with particular focus on First Nations Languages of Canada, in the areas of documentation and theoretical research, something for which it is well known. Research is not restricted to Languages of the Americas, however; the department also has a long history of work on African languages and there is ongoing research on languages within the Indo-European, Japonic, Sino-Tibetan, and Uralic families as well as Korean. For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website
Is this course right for you?
Our counsellors check your profile against this programme's entry criteria and tell you where you stand — before you pay anything.
What we look at
- Your subject background and grades
- Your English score, or how to get one
- Budget, including living costs
University & programme
- Listed from the catalogueNot yet staff-verified — ask us to confirm the details.
- English requirementIELTS Overall 6.5
- Study modeCoursework + Options
Admissions checklist
Entry requirements
Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies minimum: a bachelor's degree with a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC); individual programmes may set higher minimums. Applicants from a university outside Canada where English is not the primary language of instruction must submit an English language proficiency test taken within the last 24 months. · English: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90; Duolingo English Test 125 · English test waiver: Applicants whose degree is from a university where English is the primary language of instruction are not required to submit an English language proficiency test (UBC Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies English language requirement). · GRE/GMAT: The GRE is optional. · Application fee: CAD 168.25 (international applicants); CAD 118.50 (Canadian citizen / permanent resident / refugee / diplomat)
The usual set for this level. Your counsellor confirms the exact list for this university.
- Academic transcripts
- English test score (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Passport copy
- Statement of purpose (optional)
- Recommendation letters (optional)
Cost & scholarships
- Tuition$10,082 CAD / year≈ $7,413 / year
- Living costsVary by city — see the destination guide.
- ScholarshipsInternational Tuition Award (ITA) CAD 3,200.00 per year for eligible individuals, as published in the programme fee table.
Application timeline
Typical timings. Deadlines differ per university and intake.
- 1Prepare documents1–2 weeks
- 2Submit application1–3 weeks
- 3Receive offer letter2–6 weeks
- 4Apply for visa4–8 weeks
Application deadline: September 2027 intake - international applicants: 13 January 2027
Visa & support journey
- Offer letterFrom the university
- Visa guidanceExpert support
- Pre-departureAccommodation & travel
- Ongoing supportEven after you arrive
Student stories
Real students. Real results.
- Average rating
- 4.9
- Google reviews
- 360+
- Rated five stars
- 95%
Average rating
Google reviews
Rated five stars
“I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent assistance provided during my student visa process. The team was responsive, knowledgeable, and supportive at every stage, from document preparation to submission guidance. Their clear communication and professional approach made the process much easier and more efficient.”
1 / 8
Nihad K, 5 out of 5 stars
Every review below is a real Google review — see all of them
Frequently asked questions
How much does Master of Arts in Linguistics (MA) cost?
CAD 10,082 / year.
What English score does it need?
IELTS 6.5 overall is the score listed for this programme.
When does it start?
Intakes listed for this programme: September 2027.
How long is it?
2 years, as listed by the university.
What are the entry requirements?
Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies minimum: a bachelor's degree with a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC); individual programmes may set higher minimums. Applicants from a university outside Canada where English is not the primary language of instruction must submit an English language proficiency test taken within the last 24 months. · English: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90; Duolingo English Test 125 · English test waiver: Applicants whose degree is from a university where English is the primary language of instruction are not required to submit an English language proficiency test (UBC Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies English language requirement). · GRE/GMAT: The GRE is optional. · Application fee: CAD 168.25 (international applicants); CAD 118.50 (Canadian citizen / permanent resident / refugee / diplomat)
Is there a scholarship?
International Tuition Award (ITA) CAD 3,200.00 per year for eligible individuals, as published in the programme fee table.
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