Linguistics and English Language

Collection of linguistics textbook covers

Our research and education explore principles of human language and the social, cultural and educational contexts where language matters.

  • Research

    Our research investigates fundamental principles of language as well as language forms and usages found in specific contexts.

  • Engage

    We welcome visiting researchers and offer school visits, short courses, and summer schools.

  • People

    Find people and discover their research.

Study

  • Undergraduate degrees

    We provide undergraduate degrees in Linguistics, English Language, and Language Sciences.

  • Master's programmes

    We offer a range of Master's programmes, including our online learning programmes, aimed at those wishing to enhance their careers by learning flexibly.

  • PhD

    We welcome proposals for doctoral research across any area of linguistics that falls within our expertise.

  • Short Courses

    As an alternative to taking a complete Master's programme, you can take our individual specialist postgraduate courses for institutional credit.

Latest news

Image of Mi-Jin Chung

PhD student's research funding successes

9 February 2026

Congratulations to Mi-Jin Chung, recently awarded funding to support her PhD research studies by two international language testing organisations.

Picture of Dr Lorraine Underwood successfully unlocking Fort Vox

Fort Vox: the little “voice box” with a big message

6 February 2026

Fort Vox is a playful, hands-on project that lets children explore voice biometrics, AI, security and privacy by hacking into a locked box using only their voice. Developed by Dr Lorraine Underwood and element14 with FACTOR's Professor Claire Hardaker and Dr George Brown, it makes invisible technologies tangible, sparks curiosity about cyber security, and helps build the next generation of digital and security talent in the North West.

Image of Ridmi Handapangoda

MA graduate is runner-up in an international award for Master’s dissertations

15 January 2026

Ridmi Handapangoda was one of two runners-up for the Caroline Clapham IELTS Master's Award for 2025. Her dissertation, “Scene behind the unseen: Special adjustments for visually impaired students at L2 English reading tests in the Sri Lankan university context”, was commended as “a persuasive, well-referenced piece foregrounding fairness and accessibility”.
Abstract banner image representing multilingualism in the North of England, featuring speech bubbles in multiple languages over a stylised map of Northern England, suggesting communication, diversity, and regional research collaboration.

The Multilingual North: Multilingualism Research Across the N8

17 December 2025

The Multilingual North: Challenges and Opportunities is a two-day event at Lancaster University bringing together researchers from across the N8 Research Partnership to explore multilingualism research, alongside opportunities for academic exchange and career development.
A group, showing the lab members

Congratulations, Dr Zhang!

12 December 2025

Many congratulations to our PhD student Wensi Zhang, who successfully passed her PhD examination in December 2025.
Image shows iinformal group of children working on crafts at a table with teacher in the background

SEND support system crisis worsens – latest analysis shows

27 October 2025

The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, already known to be in deep trouble, now faces ‘a worsening crisis’ which, say experts, puts the UK on the brink of a national emergency.

More News

Events

18th Mar

MC/HL2C Seminar: Debra Titone (McGill University)

Wednesday 18 March 2026, 2:00pm to 3:30pm
30th Mar

AI for Science Workshop — Showcasing AI Across Lancaster

Monday 30 March 2026, 10:00am to 3:00pm
21st Apr

Webinar: PgCert in Language Testing - British Council sub-Saharan Africa scholarships 2026

Tuesday 21 April 2026, 2:00pm to 2:45pm

More Events

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