Overview

The Master of Applied Linguistics at Massey University provides professionals in all language-related areas of expertise (including language teaching and TESOL) with a combination of practical and research skills which is increasingly important in both domestic and international settings.

Key facts

You’ll use theories, methods and problem-based approaches that address real-life language issues in our globalised and digitally mediated world.

Massey’s research strengths include:

heritage language learning
mother tongue maintenance
online second-language communities
distance/online language learning
sociocultural adjustment of international students and their teachers to their presence in New Zealand universities
language learning and emotion
bi/multilingualism
oral proficiency
teaching and assessment

language education policy.

In the Master of Applied Linguistics you’ll complete a research report (60 credits) or thesis (120 credits). Recent areas of student research include:

investigating needs of non-income-earning students in community English classes
the development of teacher identity among student teachers in Thailand
navigating cultural conflict and dissonance in the immigrant ESL classroom
the role of motivational beliefs in self-regulated learning for Kanji acquisition
vocational tertiary students’ imagined experiences of learning English with native speakers in an Indonesian rural setting
perceptions of Bhutanese students, parents and teachers of their learning progress in a New Zealand secondary school

a case study of teacher beliefs and student attitudes on L1 use in multilingual classrooms.

Career

With a Master of Applied Linguistics, you’ll be prepared for careers in language teaching, research and practice in national and international multilingual contexts.

You’ll be supporting those who operate in multilingual contexts, such as migrants and former refugees and international students in New Zealand. Our graduates are employed as educators, consultants and practitioners.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Second Language Learning Theories and Processes
Contemporary Approaches to Language Teaching Methodology
Contextualising Curriculum and Materials Design

Current Issues in Applied Linguistics

Research Report
Thesis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 18 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-06-29 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-06-19 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-02-09 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-31 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2027-02-05 00:00:00 , National

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

180 alternative credits

120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Palmerston North, New Zealand

Disciplines

Linguistics View 22 other Masters in Linguistics in New Zealand

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

have been awarded or qualified for a relevant bachelor's degree with at least a B grade average across the 200-300 level courses, or
have been awarded or qualified for a postgraduate diploma in second language teaching or a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics, or equivalent, with at least a B+ grade average for entry to the Research Pathway, or at least a B grade average for entry to the Coursework Pathway.

have completed relevant teaching and related experience approved by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences as appropriate for entry.
copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

a copy of your CV (Curriculum Vitae) containing details of teaching and related work experience.

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Massey University and/or in New Zealand, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

38840 NZD / year

≈ 38840 NZD / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

10652 NZD / year

≈ 10652 NZD / year

Living costs

Palmerston North

New Zealand

1100 - 2100 NZD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Applied Linguistics.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Key facts

Career

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Palmerston North

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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