Overview
Take your Master's in Language Testing in one of the best Linguistics Departments in the world. We are placed 3rd in the QS World Rankings 2024.
Our programme aims to meet the needs of professionals who have responsibilities for language testing and evaluation at institutional, regional or national level. The programme gives you the opportunity to develop a solid grounding in language test design, construction and evaluation, and in research design. Through the programme, we aim to support you in creating testing and evaluation policies within your own context that conform to international standards of validity and reliability.
The programme is also available as a Postgraduate Certificate.
With orientation to launch the course, five online modules, and a dissertation, our programme is designed for part-time study over two years. We also offer opportunities to base your coursework and dissertation project on issues within your own educational or professional context. Programme content considers the major developments in language testing in recent years and reflects current thinking and good practice.
The programme starts with compulsory orientation in late September and runs over two academic years, ending with submission of dissertations in September two years later. Each taught module lasts one academic term.
The five modules are usually taken in this sequence:
- Language Test Construction and Evaluation
- Exploring Language Constructs for Language Testing
- Issues in Language Testing
- Research Methods for Language Testing
- Statistical Analysis for Language Testing
The part-time, web-based programme aims to provide flexibility so that you can study alongside work and personal commitments. We follow sound pedagogical principles for the provision of distance education and provide group-level and individualised support and feedback.
Taught by experts
Lancaster has a worldwide reputation for excellence in language testing. Our department ranks highly in international and national rankings for Linguistics. Staff members have led and contributed to numerous language testing projects, including national test development projects in many countries and international test development and assessment projects in English and other languages.
Online learning
The course is delivered via Lancaster’s high quality virtual learning site. You will have access to the University’s extensive online library resources, and there will be plenty of opportunities to interact with peers and your tutors.
Career prospects
Former students on the Lancaster MA in Language Testing programme are now leading test development and research projects in many parts of the world, in language testing organisations, ministries of education and defence, curriculum development centres, schools, colleges and universities. Several of our MA students have won international awards for their dissertations and have published their research in academic journals.
Postgraduate Certificate option
The first year of this programme is also offered as the Postgraduate Certificate in Language Testing. As a one-year programme, this option is likely to be attractive to professionals who seek training in language testing but are unable to commit to a longer period of study or a dissertation project. Students who are successful on the certificate programme can easily transfer to the master's programme should they so wish. In addition, students who graduate with the postgraduate certificate may subsequently re-join for the second year of the master's programme (surrendering the certificate).
Language Testing by distance learning at Lancaster
Our distance learning postgraduate courses are aimed at those wishing to enhance their careers by learning flexibly – from home, work, or wherever and whenever is convenient. Our MA in Language Testing programme gives you the opportunity to develop a solid grounding in language test design, construction and evaluation, and in research design. The first year of this programme is also offered as the Postgraduate Certificate in Language Testing.
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British Council Apprenticeships with MA in Language Testing
To encourage the academic and professional development of promising university graduates and promote greater diversity in the language testing community in the UK, the British Council is offering two fixed-term apprenticeships in language assessment. Candidates with legal residency in the UK are eligible to apply. As part of the British Council’s commitment to addressing underrepresentation in the field of language assessment within the UK, we particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities.
The opportunity to work full-time for two years as an apprentice with the British Council in the UK is offered in collaboration with Lancaster University. While working, each apprentice will also study part-time on the internationally renowned online MA programme in Language Testing at Lancaster University. This also takes two years, with five taught modules and a concluding dissertation project.
British Council Apprenticeships with MA in Language TestingBritish Council Scholarships for sub-Saharan Africa – MA in Language Testing
The British Council is offering two scholarships to eligible applicants who live in and are citizens of or legally resident in sub-Saharan African countries. This is to encourage the academic and professional development of promising graduates in sub-Saharan Africa and to promote diversity in the language testing profession at a global level.
The scholarships are offered in collaboration with Lancaster University. Each scholarship covers programme fees. The online MA programme in Language Testing at Lancaster University is run over two years, with five taught modules and a concluding dissertation project. The scholarships are ideally suited to those working in education or assessment environments, allowing their work and studies to complement each other. This is an excellent opportunity to become part of an exciting global network of professionals.
Scholarship and Funding Opportunities
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements
2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a language/linguistics related degree or one with a number of language/linguistics-related subjects.
We also welcome applicants from other subject backgrounds with linguistic knowledge commensurate with an undergraduate degree
Additional Requirements
You will have teaching experience, and, ideally, a current post with responsibility for language test design, construction or evaluation. We may consider alternative language teaching or testing backgrounds.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
English Language Requirements
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in listening and speaking. We also consider other English language qualifications.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Course structure
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
Core
core modules accordion
This module explores aspects of language and of second language learning that language tests seek to measure. We aim to help you develop your understanding of the nature of the constructs that underlie language tests, to situate language testing within the broader context of applied linguistics, and to become familiar with current research in second language acquisition
This module considers a range of current issues in the field of language testing. Topics are reviewed annually so that the most relevant are included. We aim to help you explore recent developments in validation research, understand the theory that underlies issues covered, and discuss critically key topics in language testing. Recent issues covered include testing language for specific purposes, technological innovation in language testing, and language assessment literacy
This module familiarises you with the ways in which language tests are constructed and evaluated. It includes an overview of basic concepts and principles in language testing. We aim to help you construct language tests, with a focus on the four macro-language skills, and evaluate test items critically, through the application and interpretation of descriptive statistics
.
This module covers methodological and ethical issues that are central to research in language, language teaching and language testing. It sets out the knowledge and skills needed to undertake independent research in the field of language testing. We aim to help you prepare for your dissertation project, providing information on how to follow up on particular interests you have, and methods you might use, in your research. We also aim to help you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake your own research projects, and to critically examine the research methods of studies conducted in the field of language testing
This module provides an introduction to theoretical concepts in statistics and to practical statistical methods common in language testing research. We aim to provide you with a range of statistical tools to carry out routine and research-related analyses of language test data, and to develop your general understanding of statistical procedures often found in research publications
Fees and funding
2 year programme
| Year 1 (60 credits) | Year 2 (120 Credits) | |
|---|---|---|
| Home | £3,750 | £7,500 |
| International | £3,750 | £7,500 |
Cost per 20 credit Module (2024-25) Home £1,250; International £1,250
Additional fees and funding information accordion
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Scholarships and bursaries
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.
| Scheme | Based on | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Based on {{item.eligibility_basis}} | Amount {{item.amount}} |
We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
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Linguistics and TESOL
- Applied Linguistics and TESOL MA
- Corpus Linguistics (Distance) MA
- Corpus Linguistics (Distance) PgCert
- Discourse Studies MA
- Forensic Linguistics and Speech Science MSc
- Intercultural Communication MA
- Language and Linguistics MA
- Language Testing (Distance) PgCert
- Linguistics PhD
- Linguistics (by thesis and coursework) PhD
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) (Distance) PgCert
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) with Corpus Linguistics (Distance) MA
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) with Language Testing (Distance) MA
Important Information
The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.
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