Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

The Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced training in the practical applications of linguistic theory to real-world language problems. Offered at Kenyatta University, Egerton University, and Pwani University, the programme prepares graduates for careers in language education, curriculum design, translation, language policy, and communication consultancy.

The curriculum covers linguistic description, sociolinguistics, language field methods, discourse analysis, syllabus design, language testing, translation theory, and language planning. Students choose between a thesis option and a coursework-plus-project option, with electives allowing specialisation in areas such as psycholinguistics, language pathology, comparative linguistics, semantics, and pragmatics.

Admission requires a bachelor's degree with at least an Upper Second Class Honours in English, Linguistics, Education (English/Literature), or a related field from a recognised university. Applicants must also demonstrate a minimum grade B average in English and Linguistic courses at undergraduate level. Those with a Lower Second Class Honours and relevant work experience may be considered.

All three institutions are accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is delivered through full-time, school-based, evening, and weekend modes, providing flexibility for working professionals. Kenyatta University's programme is particularly noted for its interdisciplinary approach and alignment with global applied linguistics trends.

Career prospects include roles in language education, curriculum development, materials design, translation and interpretation, language policy analysis, communication consultancy, and academia. Graduates work in educational institutions, publishing houses, government language departments, international organisations, and media houses.

The programme addresses Kenya's need for applied linguists who can contribute to language policy development, documentation of endangered languages, curriculum design for language education, and effective communication strategies in multilingual contexts. With over 40 indigenous languages in Kenya and the growing importance of English as a global lingua franca, applied linguistics expertise is increasingly critical.

Skills Required

Linguistic analysis and description
Sociolinguistic research methods
Curriculum and syllabus design
Language testing and assessment
Translation and interpretation theory
Discourse analysis
Language policy and planning
Field methods in linguistics
Academic writing and research
Cross-cultural communication

Key Subjects

The Description of Linguistic Form
Structure of Modern English
Linguistic Field Methods
Sociolinguistics
Language as Communication
Advanced Grammar
Syllabus Design and Materials Preparation
Language Testing
Translation Theory and Interpretation
Language Planning and Education

Certifications

Linguistic Society of Kenya Membership
AILA Applied Linguistics Certification
Cambridge CELTA/DELTA (Language Teaching)
Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) Certification

Specializations

Language Teaching and Education

Focuses on language pedagogy, syllabus design, materials preparation, teacher education, and classroom research for effective language instruction.

Sociolinguistics and Language Variation

Examines language variation and function in society, including dialectal variation, language contact, and the social dimensions of language use.

Translation and Interpretation

Covers translation theory, interpretation techniques, and the practical application of linguistic knowledge to translation and interpreting.

Language Policy and Planning

Addresses language policy development, implementation, and planning in multilingual societies, with emphasis on African contexts.

Psycholinguistics

Studies the psychological processes underlying language acquisition, comprehension, and production, including language disorders and pathology.

Discourse Analysis

Analyses spoken and written discourse, examining how language is used in context to create meaning and shape social interactions.

Comparative and Historical Linguistics

Explores comparative methods in linguistics, historical language change, and genetic relationships between languages.

Language Documentation and Field Methods

Focuses on linguistic field methods for documenting previously unwritten or endangered languages, including data collection and analysis.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 168,650
Private, up to: Ksh 249,800
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Evening, Weekend, School-based
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

The Description of Linguistic Form
Structure of Modern English
Linguistic Field Methods
Sociolinguistics
Language as Communication
Advanced Grammar
Syllabus Design and Materials Preparation
Language Testing
Translation Theory and Interpretation
Language Planning and Education

Modules

12 in the programme

The Description of Linguistic Form
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational study of linguistic form, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, providing the analytical framework for applied linguistics.
Structure of Modern English
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Detailed analysis of the grammatical structure of modern English, including phonological, morphological, and syntactic patterns.
Linguistic Field Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Practical methods for linguistic fieldwork, including data elicitation, transcription, phonological analysis, and language documentation techniques.
Sociolinguistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of language in social context, including language variation, dialectology, language contact, multilingualism, and language attitudes.
General Research Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods for postgraduate study, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, research design, and academic writing conventions.
Syllabus Design and Materials Preparation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Principles and practices of language syllabus design, materials development, and curriculum planning for language education programmes.
Language Testing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Theory and practice of language assessment, including test design, validity and reliability, item analysis, and alternative assessment methods.
Translation Theory and Interpretation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Theoretical foundations of translation and interpretation, including equivalence, translation strategies, and practical translation exercises.
Language as Communication
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of language as a communicative tool, including pragmatics, speech act theory, conversation analysis, and discourse practices.
Advanced Grammar
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of grammatical theory and analysis, including contemporary syntactic theory and its application to linguistic description.
Language Planning and Education
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Language policy and planning in education, including medium of instruction policies, bilingual education, and language planning in African contexts.
Thesis / Research Project
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research thesis or project in applied linguistics, conducted under faculty supervision and assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Language Teaching and Education
Focuses on language pedagogy, syllabus design, materials preparation, teacher education, and classroom research for effective language instruction.
Sociolinguistics and Language Variation
Examines language variation and function in society, including dialectal variation, language contact, and the social dimensions of language use.
Translation and Interpretation
Covers translation theory, interpretation techniques, and the practical application of linguistic knowledge to translation and interpreting.
Language Policy and Planning
Addresses language policy development, implementation, and planning in multilingual societies, with emphasis on African contexts.
Psycholinguistics
Studies the psychological processes underlying language acquisition, comprehension, and production, including language disorders and pathology.
Discourse Analysis
Analyses spoken and written discourse, examining how language is used in context to create meaning and shape social interactions.
Comparative and Historical Linguistics
Explores comparative methods in linguistics, historical language change, and genetic relationships between languages.
Language Documentation and Field Methods
Focuses on linguistic field methods for documenting previously unwritten or endangered languages, including data collection and analysis.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on linguistic form, sociolinguistics, or discourse analysis, followed by seminar discussions on contemporary debates in applied linguistics. Afternoons involve field methods practice, data transcription sessions, or curriculum design workshops. Students regularly engage with guest speakers from curriculum development agencies and publishing houses. Those on the thesis track dedicate significant time to data collection and analysis, while project-track students develop practical language materials or translation projects. School-based students attend intensive sessions during school holidays, balancing teaching commitments with academic study.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at three public universities, giving students choice in location, specialisation focus, and tuition bracket.
Flexible study modes including full-time, school-based, evening, and weekend options accommodate working professionals.
Both thesis and project options accommodate different career goals in academia or applied practice.
Programme addresses Kenya's need for language policy expertise, endangered language documentation, and curriculum development.

Against it

Relatively niche field with fewer direct job openings compared to business or technology programmes.
Requires strong background in English and linguistics, limiting access for graduates from unrelated disciplines.
Limited scholarship opportunities specifically for applied linguistics compared to STEM fields.
Field methods and data collection for thesis can be logistically challenging, particularly for endangered language documentation.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public145k to 169k

145k at Pwani University169k at Egerton University

Private178k to 250k

178k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa250k at Daystar University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Egerton 168.7K, Pwani 145K, Daystar 249.8K/yr verified. CUEA unverified.

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students pursuing master's degrees at public universities. Kenyatta University and Egerton University may offer institution-specific financial support. External funding from organisations such as the Ford Foundation may support linguistics research, particularly for African language documentation and preservation.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Kenyatta University Graduate Scholarships
Egerton University Postgraduate Financial Aid

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities. Applicants must meet HELB eligibility criteria.
Endangered Languages Project Grant
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
Researchers and students working on documentation and preservation of endangered languages.
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 500,000
Outstanding students from developing countries pursuing postgraduate studies in development-related fields including education and language.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Applicants with degrees in related disciplines such as Kiswahili, Education Arts, or General Linguistics from recognised institutions are eligible. Those with a Lower Second Class Honours and relevant work experience may be considered. The programme requires demonstrated competence in English language and linguistic analysis.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Ongoing assessment through assignments, seminar presentations, practical exercises, and fieldwork reports throughout each semester.
End-of-Semester Examination
Examination60% of the mark
Written examination conducted at the end of each semester for each course unit.
Thesis / Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research thesis or project assessed through written submission and oral defence, constituting a major component of the programme.
Fieldwork Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of linguistic fieldwork skills, including data elicitation, transcription accuracy, and language documentation quality.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya's statutory body for university quality assurance. Kenyatta University, Egerton University, and Pwani University are all CUE-accredited public universities.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation required for all university programmes in Kenya. Kenyatta University, Egerton University, and Pwani University are all CUE-accredited public universities.
Linguistic Society of Kenya
Professional membership
Kenyan professional body for linguists, offering professional membership and networking opportunities for applied linguistics graduates.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

University Lecturer in Linguistics
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches linguistics and English language courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, conducts research, and supervises student projects.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 220,000
Designs and develops language curricula, syllabi, and instructional materials for educational institutions and curriculum development agencies.
Language Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides expert advice on language policy, communication strategy, translation, and language-related issues for organisations and government agencies.
Translator and Interpreter
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides professional translation and interpretation services for government, international organisations, and private sector clients.
Language Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Conducts research on language use, language acquisition, sociolinguistic patterns, and endangered language documentation for research institutions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in language education, curriculum development, translation, language policy analysis, communication consultancy, and academia across educational institutions, government, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Praat
Phonetic analysisPrimary
Open-source software for phonetic analysis of speech sounds, used for acoustic phonetics research and phonological analysis.
ELAN
Language documentationPrimary
Professional tool for creating, editing, visualising, and searching linguistic annotations of video and audio recordings.
SPSS
Research software
Statistical analysis software for quantitative sociolinguistic research and survey data analysis.
NVivo
Research software
Qualitative data analysis software for discourse analysis, interview coding, and qualitative linguistic research.
FLEx (FieldWorks Language Explorer)
Language documentation
Software for linguistic fieldwork and language documentation, supporting dictionary building and interlinear text analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Applied linguistics is only about teaching English.
The field covers diverse areas including language policy, translation, discourse analysis, psycholinguistics, language documentation, and communication consultancy beyond language teaching.
You need to speak multiple languages to study applied linguistics.
While multilingualism is an asset, the programme focuses on analysing language structure and use, and applicants need proficiency in English and at least one other language rather than fluency in many.
Applied linguistics graduates can only become language teachers.
Graduates work as curriculum designers, language policy analysts, translators, communication consultants, speech writers, examiners, and researchers across multiple sectors.
The programme is purely theoretical with no practical application.
The programme emphasises practical applications of linguistic theory, including field methods, materials development, translation practice, and project work addressing real language problems.
Applied linguistics has limited relevance in Kenya's job market.
Kenya's multilingual context, education reforms, endangered indigenous languages, and growing need for effective communication create demand for applied linguistics expertise.
The school-based mode is less rigorous than full-time study.
School-based programmes follow the same curriculum and assessment standards as full-time, with intensive sessions during holidays accommodating working teachers.