Applied Linguistics PGCert (Online)

Tuition is £1,304 per module (October 2025-July 2026)/£1360 per module (October 2026).

Graduates of the online PGCert in Applied Linguistics go on to work as language examiners, English language teachers, editors, professional translators and project managers for organisations such as Duolingo, Kaplan International Languages and independent media producers. Successful completion also provides a route onto the full MA Applied Linguistics.

Each six-month module is delivered through a virtual learning environment where you study at your own pace, engage with interactive readings, complete discussion and reflection tasks, and submit assessed assignments. You receive regular guidance from a personal tutor, can join live Zoom seminars with faculty, and have the option to attend summer schools in Birmingham or Japan.

The course investigates how language functions in society, examining questions of discourse structure, sociolinguistic variation and the role of corpora in describing usage. Core modules cover Discourse Analysis and Sociolinguistics, while optional strands such as Corpus Linguistics, Functional Grammar, Lexis and Second Language Acquisition allow you to specialise according to your interests.

The University of Birmingham, chartered in 1900, is a large, research-intensive redbrick university located in Edgbaston. It offers a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has a reputation for multidisciplinary research, substantial campus investment and strong academic staffing. With more than 34,000 students, including a sizeable international community, Birmingham combines historic strengths with modern facilities and a global outlook.

Research and teaching span the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine and social sciences, supported by major investments in campus infrastructure and academic appointments. The university promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through flagship fellowships and research initiatives, and many courses provide opportunities for placements, industry engagement and overseas study on its international campuses. Student support services include extensive academic development, career services and wellbeing provision tailored to an international cohort.

Life at Birmingham blends a vibrant campus with access to the city's cultural and professional resources, enabling students to pursue extracurricular activities, volunteering and professional networking. The institution’s global partnerships and growing research profile open doors for international collaborations and career pathways. Prospective international applicants should carefully check entry requirements, funding and application deadlines and contact the university’s international office for guidance on visas, scholarships and arrival planning.