Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in English Language and Linguistics

The Master of Arts in English Language and Linguistics is a postgraduate programme offered at Kenyan universities including Kenyatta University, Kabarak University, Egerton University, and Chuka University. The programme provides advanced training in linguistic theory, English grammar, sociolinguistics, and applied linguistics, equipping graduates with analytical and research skills for academic and professional careers.

Students study the structure of modern English, linguistic field methods, sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. The curriculum combines coursework with a research thesis, enabling students to investigate linguistic phenomena in African languages, English varieties, and multilingual contexts relevant to Kenya and East Africa.

Kenya’s linguistic landscape is highly diverse, with over 40 indigenous languages alongside English and Kiswahili as official languages. The programme addresses the need for trained linguists who can contribute to language planning, education policy, translation, and communication in a multilingual society. English remains the medium of instruction from mid-primary to tertiary level, creating sustained demand for specialists in English language and linguistics.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, research fieldwork, and supervised thesis writing. At Kenyatta University, the programme is delivered through full-time and school-based modes in the Department of English and Linguistics within the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences. Kabarak University offers the programme over four semesters with both full-time and part-time options.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, language teachers, linguistic consultants, translators, editors, curriculum developers, and researchers in universities, secondary schools, publishing houses, media organisations, and government agencies. The programme provides a strong foundation for doctoral study in linguistics or related fields.

This programme is ideal for graduates with a Bachelor of Education (Arts) or BA in English with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) who are passionate about language analysis, research, and the study of English in African contexts.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 216,000
Private, up to: Ksh 178,126
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

The Description of Linguistic Form
Structure of Modern English
Linguistic Field Methods
Sociolinguistics
Discourse Analysis
Phonology and Morphology
Syntax and Semantics
Language as Communication
Research Methodology
Translation Theory and Interpretation

Modules

12 in the programme

The Description of Linguistic Form
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational analysis of linguistic structures including phonemes, morphemes, and syntactic patterns across languages
Structure of Modern English
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Detailed analysis of English phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, with attention to varieties of English in Africa
Linguistic Field Methods
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Practical training in elicitation techniques, data collection, transcription, and analysis of linguistic data from native speakers
Sociolinguistics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of language in social context, including language variation, code-switching, diglossia, and language attitudes in multilingual societies
Discourse Analysis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of spoken and written discourse, conversational analysis, pragmatics, and critical discourse analysis methods
Phonology and Morphology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of sound systems and word formation processes, including generative phonology and morphological theory
General Research Methodology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods for linguistic research, including research design, data collection, and analysis
Language as Communication
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Theories of communication, pragmatics, speech act theory, and the role of context in meaning construction
Advanced Grammar and Syntax
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced syntactic theory, transformational grammar, and analysis of complex sentence structures in English and African languages
Translation Theory and Interpretation
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of translation, equivalence, interpretation techniques, and practical training in bilingual translation
Language Planning and Education
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Language policy, planning in education, medium of instruction debates, and language planning in African contexts
Thesis Research
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on a selected topic in English language or linguistics, culminating in a thesis defended before faculty examiners

Specialisations

African Language Documentation
Specialization in African Language Documentation, preparing graduates for careers such as linguistic-consultant.
Applied Linguistics and Language Education
Specialization in Applied Linguistics and Language Education, preparing graduates for careers such as language-teacher.
Computational Linguistics
Specialization in Computational Linguistics, preparing graduates for careers such as computational-linguist.
Discourse Analysis and Communication
Specialization in Discourse Analysis and Communication, preparing graduates for careers such as editor.
Sociolinguistics and Language Variation
Specialization in Sociolinguistics and Language Variation, preparing graduates for careers such as linguistic-consultant.
Translation and Interpretation Studies
Specialization in Translation and Interpretation Studies, preparing graduates for careers such as translator-interpreter.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning seminars on syntax or sociolinguistics with afternoon research fieldwork collecting language data from speakers of African languages. Students analyse linguistic data using specialised software, engage in group discussions on discourse analysis, and work on their thesis research under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Diverse career paths in academia, publishing, media, translation, and consultancy
Kenya’s linguistic diversity provides rich research opportunities in African languages
English language expertise is in demand across education, government, and private sectors
Skills in discourse analysis and communication are transferable to many sectors

Against it

Entry-level academic positions are competitive and may require a PhD for university lectureships
Research funding for linguistics can be limited compared to STEM fields
Some roles such as translation may require additional professional certification
Salaries in academia and publishing can be modest compared to corporate communications roles

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

Public169k to 216k

169k at Egerton University216k at Kenyatta University

Private165k to 178k

165k at Kabarak University178k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa

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

KU 216K, Egerton 168.7K verified. CUEA 178K, Kabarak 165.2K total verified.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships for African scholars, and university-specific research grants. Some universities offer teaching assistantships that provide fee waivers and stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships
Scholarship
African Union Research Grants
Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
African Union Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at African institutions conducting research relevant to African development
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for postgraduate study in relevant fields

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Bachelor’s Degree
Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in BA (Arts) in English or Bachelor of Education (Arts)
Alternative entry
Second Class Honours (Lower Division) with at least two years of relevant work experience after graduation
English course score
B (at least 60%) in English and Linguistic courses at undergraduate level
Recognised institution
Degree from a university recognised by CUE and the respective university Senate

How you are assessed

4 components

Final Semester Examinations
Coursework40% of the mark
Research Papers and Presentations
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Thesis
Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). No specific professional licensing body is required for linguists in Kenya, though membership in the Linguistic Society of Kenya is encouraged for professional networking.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

University Lecturer (English/Linguistics)
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches English language, linguistics, and communication courses at universities while conducting research in linguistic specialisations
Language Teacher (Secondary/Tertiary)
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Teaches English language and literature at secondary schools or teacher training colleges, applying advanced linguistic knowledge
Editor (Publishing/Media)
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 95,000
Edits academic publications, educational materials, and media content, applying advanced knowledge of English grammar and discourse
Linguistic Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 120,000
Provides expert advice on language-related projects for education, media, technology, and government initiatives
Translator and Interpreter
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 100,000
Translates documents and provides interpretation services for organisations, government agencies, and international bodies

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, language teachers, linguistic consultants, translators, editors, curriculum developers, and researchers in universities, schools, publishing houses, media organisations, and government agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
SPSS
AnalyticsPrimary
Google Scholar
Research
NVivo
Analytics
Zotero
Research
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A linguistics degree only leads to teaching careers
Graduates pursue diverse careers including translation, editing, publishing, speech technology development, forensic linguistics, language planning, and consultancy for media and communication organisations.
Linguistics is just about learning grammar rules
Linguistics encompasses phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, and field methods, investigating how languages function as complex systems of communication.
There are no research opportunities in linguistics in Kenya
Kenya’s linguistic diversity with over 40 languages provides rich research opportunities in language documentation, sociolinguistics, language contact, and applied linguistics relevant to education and policy.
English linguistics is not relevant in a multilingual country like Kenya
English is the medium of instruction from mid-primary to university level and an official language, making its study critical for education, governance, publishing, and international communication in Kenya.

Related courses

Doctor of philosophy in english language education