Language Testing (Distance)

MA

  • Entry year 2026
  • Duration Part time 2 years
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Overview

Advanced skills for professionals with responsibility for language testing and assessment at institutional, regional or national level. Lancaster University is one of the best places in the world to study language testing, and we offer a full set of UK-accredited academic qualifications.

The master’s programme helps you develop a solid grounding in language test development and evaluation, and in research design. An ideal stepping-stone to advance your career.

Why Lancaster?

  • Study at a university with a global reputation for excellence in language testing, and one of the only universities worldwide to offer full qualifications in this area
  • Explore current thinking and good practice, and engage with recent developments in language testing research
  • Gain language testing skills and knowledge and develop research skills through your dissertation project
  • Access Lancaster University’s extensive online resources and interact with peers and your tutors via our virtual learning site
  • Follow in the footsteps of award-winning graduates who lead test development and research projects around the world
  • Join this programme from anywhere in the world, regardless of time zone

Your future in language testing

Do you want to understand how language tests work and how second language learning and assessment is researched? Establish a foundation in language test development and evaluation, as well as research design and implementation? Explore technical and practical issues faced by language testing professionals?

On our part-time, online MA in Language Testing you will develop the advanced skills and knowledge you need to progress in language testing and assessment. We’ll explore major recent developments in language testing and discuss current thinking and good practice. By the end of your studies, you’ll be confident in developing assessments and policies for your context that meet international standards and in carrying out research independently.

Expert teaching

Lancaster has a worldwide reputation for excellence in language testing. We rank very 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. You will benefit from their expert tuition.

Flexible. Supportive. Collaborative.

The programme is delivered via Lancaster’s high-quality virtual learning site. You will have access to the University’s extensive online library resources and custom-made learning materials.

You will have the flexibility to study alongside your work and personal commitments from anywhere in the world. You’ll always feel supported, thanks to close interaction with your tutors, detailed feedback on your work, and opportunities to collaborate and share experiences with other students.

What will I study?

Our programme is designed for part-time study over two years. You will take a series of online modules and carry out a dissertation project. You’ll have the opportunity to base your coursework and dissertation research on issues within your own educational or professional context.

In each module you will engage with tasks and targeted reading on specific topics, perhaps introduced with short video lectures. Tasks may include individual responses and reflection or more practical work, for example, evaluating test items. You will share your ideas with other students via online forums, and comment on their contributions.

The tutor will provide thorough, tailored feedback on these tasks at the end of each unit (week). For every module, you will also participate in work on one or two more substantial tasks, involving preparation in a small group of students. These tasks create the input for other students to review and comment on.

There will be plenty of opportunities to interact with peers and your tutors. The international reach of the programme allows you to learn from the diverse experience and expertise of the other students as well as of your tutors. Equally important, you will contribute and reflect on your own experience and values.

Programme options

We offer a suite of postgraduate level awards in Language Testing:

The Certificate and Diploma programmes each comprise a sub-set of modules from the master's programme, offering shorter study pathways.

This flexibility is valuable to those who are combining study with work or other responsibilities, or who are not in a position to commit straightaway to a two-year master’s programme.

After successfully completing the Certificate, you can apply for the Diploma or the master's with exemption and a discount for modules already taken. Similarly, after the Diploma, you can apply for the master's and carry out a dissertation project.

Please contact pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk for further information.

Careers

MA Language Testing graduates from Lancaster lead test development and research projects in many parts of the world. Through the network of contacts that you will develop during your studies on the Lancaster MA programme, you will expand your knowledge of the professional opportunities available in the field of language testing and assessment. You will also be able to use this network to find further openings for collaboration and support as your career develops.

After graduating, you may find opportunities to progress in your current role or decide to apply your skills to a different position.

Your skills will be valued by employers in a range of settings, including:

  • Language testing organisations
  • Ministries of education, foreign affairs and defence
  • Curriculum development centres
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • Cultural organisations
  • Educational publishing

Several of our MA students have won international awards for their dissertations and have published their research in academic journals. If you enjoy working on your own research, you may decide to continue exploring this area by studying for a PhD.

Careers and employability support

Our degrees open up an extremely wide array of career pathways in businesses and organisations, large and small, in the UK and overseas. Our specialist Employability team is ready to support you, whether you are starting out your career after leaving higher education or returning to university to open up new career options.

We provide individual employability advice, application support, career events, development opportunities and resources to help you plan and achieve your career goals.

The Lancaster Award is available to all postgraduate taught students and recognises work experience, volunteering and personal development alongside your studies. Developed with employers, it helps you reflect on key skills, boost your CV and articulate your strengths with confidence.

Whether you have a clear idea of your potential career path or need some help considering the options, our friendly team is on hand.

Find out more about Lancaster’s careers events, extensive resources and personal support for Careers and Employability.

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

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit INTO Lancaster University for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

Detailed module information for this postgraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.

Fees and funding

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General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

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.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

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. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.