Master of Arts in Linguistics
The importance of buttressing the study of languages with a linguistics base can never be overemphasised. Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It involves analysing the many different aspects that make up human language, such as its form, structure and context. Linguistics also looks at the interplay between sound and meaning, and how language varies between people and situations. Linguistics is the gateway to the informed analysis and description of languages as tools of human communication and, therefore, of the effort to understand cultural and societal issues and needs.
The programme examines the principles and theories of linguistic inquiry as well as their application to the major branches of linguistics, namely: Syntax, Morphology and Phonetics (i.e. Descriptive Linguistics); Sociolinguistics; Psycholinguistics; Applied Linguistics; Comparative and Contrastive Linguistics; Semantics; Lexicography; Translation and Interpretation; Pragmatics; et cetera. Other emerging areas in the study of Linguistics, such as Gender Linguistics and African Linguistics are also incorporated. Students are further exposed to current issues in language planning and development (including language policy development).
Show more...Overview
| Code | MAL |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Study time | Weekend/Holiday |
| Intake | August |
Entry requirements
The University regulations and guidelines will apply with regard to application,
registration, examinations, research and graduation. The common regulations for all Masters degrees in the University shall apply.
- The applicants should have at least a Second Class (Lower Division) in Bachelor of Arts (general) or Education with a bias in languages from Kabale University or any other institution recognized by the National Council for Higher Education.
- However, other equivalent qualifications may be considered for admission.
- For those who have a Pass degree, they should be able to demonstrate academic growth by some other means designed by the University.
There shall be three categories of enrolments as follows:
- Full-Time Day enrolled students: who shall attend classes between 8.00 am and 5.00
pm from Monday to Friday. - Full-time Weekend enrolled students: who shall attend classes from Friday to Sunday.
- Modular (Recess) programme – students who may wish to join shall attend classes for two years for coursework and a minimum one year for project.
Fees structure
| Tuition Fees per Semester (East African) | UGX 1,325,000 |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees per Semester (Non East Africans) | UGX 1,987,500 |
Functional Fees
| Compulsory fees | UGX |
| Application fee | 50,000 |
| Registration fees (per Academic Year) | 60,000 |
| Identity Card (Payable once in the 1st Semester) | 20,000 |
| Student Manual (Payable once in the 1st Semester) | 20,000 |
| Library fee (per Academic Year) | 50,000 |
| Medicare fee (per semester) | 30,000 |
| Computer Laboratory fee (per Academic Year) | 100,000 |
| Laboratory Fee for MSc in Chemistry (Per semester) | 200,000 |
| Examination fee (per semester) | 100,000 |
| Innovation fund (per year) | 100,000 |
| Research fee (per Academic Year) | 200,000 |
| Development Fund (per Academic Year) | 100,000 |
| Student Games Union fee (Academic Year) | 20,000 |
| Student Guild fee (per Academic Year) | 20,000 |
| Contribution to the Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA) (per Academic Year) | 2,000 |
| Certification (per copy) | 5,000 |
| Graduation fee (Payable on Completion of Studies) | |
| a) Ceremony | 80,000 |
| b) Transcript | 50,000 |
| c) Certificate | 50,000 |
| d) Convocation | 20,000 |
| Total | 200,000 |
| Consequential fees | |
| Late Registration (per semester; after the deadline for official registration) | 50,000 |
| Replacement of Transcript (per issue) | 50,000 |
| Replacement of other University Credentials (Admission Letter, Identity Card, Library Card, etc…) | 20,000 |
| Retake/Supplementary/Missed/Special Exam fee (per course) | 50,000 |
| To be remitted to NCHE via www.ura.go.ug | |
| Contribution to National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) Collections (per Academic Year) | 20,000 |
Fees Structure 2025-2026
Course details
- LH Lecture Hours
- CH Contact Hours
- TH Tutorial Hours
- CU Credit Units
| YEAR ONE: SEMESTER ONE | |||||
| Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | CH | CU |
| CORE UNITS | |||||
| MAL8101 | Advanced Phonetics and Phonology | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8102 | Advanced Morphology | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8103 | Sociolinguistics | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8104 | Research Methods | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8105 | Lexicography and Terminology Development | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| ELECTIVE UNITS (Choose One) | |||||
| MAL8106 | Onomastics | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8107 | Language Policy Development | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8108 | Comparative and Contrastive Studies | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| Sub-total CU | 330 | 60 | 360 | 24 | |
| YEAR ONE: SEMESTER TWO | |||||
| Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | CH | CU |
| CORE UNITS | |||||
| MAL8209 | Advanced Syntax | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8210 | Theory of Translation and Interpretation | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8211 | Advanced Semantics and Pragmatics | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8212 | Language and Gender Analysis | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8213 | Applied Linguistics | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| ELECTIVE UNITS (Choose one) | |||||
| MAL8214 | Discourse Analysis | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8215 | Psycholinguistics | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| MAL8216 | African Linguistics | 60 | – | 60 | 4 |
| Sub-total | 345 | 15 | 360 | 5 | |
| YEAR TWO: SEMESTER ONE & TWO | |||||
| Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | CH | CU |
| MAL8117 | MA Thesis | 360 | – | 360 | 24 |
| LH = Lecture Hours; PH = Practical Hours; FH = Field Hours; CH = Contact Hours; CU = Credit Units | |||||