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As Lancaster University’s Department of Linguistics and English Language (LAEL) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024, it continues to lead the field with innovation and influence. Today, it ranks 3rd in the world for Linguistics, according to the QS World Subject Rankings 2024. This prestige is no surprise; its courses reflect evolving workplace practices, such as flexible working and AI, with hands-on projects that help students build essential skills in communication and data analysis.
LAEL’s eye on the future makes it a top choice for students worldwide — as it was for Colombian teacher Ana Cifuentes. With a background in English Language Teaching, her passion for languages and cultures led her to pursue a Master’s in Intercultural Business Communication at Lancaster, where she found the focused, immersive experience she sought to deepen her knowledge and advance her career.
Lancaster University offers a broad range of postgraduate programmes, both on- and off-campus. Source: Lancaster University
This interdisciplinary programme, available full-time (one year) or part-time (two years), combines intercultural communication, pragmatics, sociolinguistics, and second language acquisition. Throughout, students explore how diverse values and beliefs shape global communication and draw on various models to improve interactions in multicultural workplaces.
But skill-building is just a part of the package —- this programme fosters personal growth and professional opportunities. Ana Cifuentes, for example, developed essential research and academic writing skills, noting, “I gained confidence in independent research, data analysis, and presenting findings — all essential skills for advancing in my career.”
Her MA dissertation and projects in the Intercultural Communication and Intercultural Encounters courses further honed her abilities in cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural interaction. By graduation, Ana Cifuentes was equipped with up-to-date knowledge and a competitive edge that opens doors.
“My training has prepared me to engage effectively with diverse student populations and navigate cultural differences,” she says. “Additionally, the research and academic writing skills I developed allow me to create and evaluate curriculum content critically, support students’ academic progress, and contribute to projects that foster a more inclusive educational environment.”
Ana Cifuentes’s experience showcases how a Lancaster education can set you apart. And if the Master’s in International Business Communication isn’t for you, there are several other programmes available here. LAEL offers a Language and Linguistics MA, Applied Linguistics and TESOL MA, Corpus Linguistics (Distance) MA, , Language Testing (Distance) MA, , 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 and a Linguistics PhD among several others.
All programmes are led by dedicated educators who stick by their students every step of the way. “The faculty were incredibly supportive and genuinely invested in my learning and professional development,” Ana Cifuentes shares. “They were always approachable, understanding, and eager to offer guidance, whether in class discussions, one-on-one meetings, or through detailed feedback on assignments.”
Lancaster’s postgraduate programmes empower graduates to secure promotions, upskill, or even transition into new careers. Source: Lancaster University
Beyond classrooms, LAEL students can collaborate with expert researchers in fields such as intercultural communication and bilingual cognition. Research groups, including Culture and Communication and Cognitive Linguistics, foster a community of shared knowledge and collaborative learning among students.
To further put knowledge into practice, you will have unlimited access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including fully-equipped eye-tracking and phonetics labs. These resources will give you the exposure required to thrive in both public or private sectors. Ties to organisations such as the British Council and Cambridge University Press takes LAEL’s emphasis on real-world insights up a notch.
Such offerings and connections do wonders in broadening horizons. “I now see how linguistics connects to various areas like intercultural communication, bilingualism, cognition, and corpus linguistics,” says Ana Cifuentes. “This understanding has opened up new possibilities for my career and academic goals.” With the skills she has acquired, she feels prepared to pursue roles as an international student advisor, NGO worker, intercultural consultant, or language policy advisor.
As a proud alumna, she joins a global community of over 170,000 graduates spanning more than 190 countries. Her advice for those looking to join her? “Take full advantage of each class, engage deeply with the reading materials, and actively participate by asking questions and sharing insights,” she says.
“Also, leverage your professors’ expertise — visit them during office hours, and involve yourself in departmental activities as much as possible. This engagement will help you gain a richer understanding of the field.”
Take her advice and learn more about the Department of Linguistics and English Language today.
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