This MA meets the needs of language teaching and testing professionals who have responsibilities for testing and evaluation at institutional, regional or national level, but who find it difficult to leave their place of work to undertake a full-time MA in Lancaster. The MA is fully web-based, with a compulsory orientation at the start of the programme so that participants can get to know each other, the staff and Lancaster University and, especially, so that they can become acquainted with the course and its means of communication.

The programme consists of 5 modules (20 credits each) and a dissertation (80 credits).

The modules are:

1. Language Test Construction and Evaluation (September – December Year 1)
2. Exploring Language Constructs for Language Testing (January – March Year 1)
3. Issues in Language Testing (April – June Year 1)
4. Research Methods for Language Testing (October – December Year 2)
5. Statistical Analysis for Language Testing (January – March Year 2)

The dissertation project will be undertaken in the period between April and September Year 2 and the final dissertation will normally be 13,500-15,000 words long. Students will be supervised online, via email and videoconferencing. The fourth module (Research Methods for Language Testing) will also provide guidance on choosing research questions, methodology, etc.

The taught modules consist of nine units and a reading week, matching the on-campus teaching pattern in the department. The participants work on one module per academic term, over the course of five terms. The modules are designed for postgraduate, post-experience participants, and include content which is of relevance to their own professional sphere of operation. Input material introduces appropriate themes, approaches and theories and these are supplemented by tasks representing authentic challenges in language testing and seeking to develop particular aspects of the participants' competence.

Each unit of a module generally occupies one week. A typical timetable for a module is as follows:

Students need to be prepared to spend between 5 to 10 hours per week on course readings and tasks. Where possible, they should also plan to be available online during our regular ten-week term times.

Participants carry out tasks individually or in small groups, communicating with one another and their tutor by means of module-specific discussion forums. There is a balance between independent learning opportunities and group endeavours, as participants need to develop both self-sufficiency and the ability to learn from their peers.

These activities are complemented by a guided dissertation project, where participants design and carry out their own research and benefit from regular opportunities to receive input and feedback. They begin their dissertation work during the fourth module, which is dedicated to research issues and techniques, and they continue for an extended sixth term after completing the fifth module. During this process, students can assess their own aptitude and disposition for doctoral research, if this is of interest.

Each module is assessed via one or more assignments (making up a total of 20 credits for each module), often tailored to complement participants' job demands and interests. The first three modules will be assessed by a 4,500-5,000-word assignment. The fourth module will be assessed by a 2,700-3,000-word assignment and a recorded 9-10-minute presentation. The fifth module will be assessed by a 2,500-2,750-word assignment and a 1,500-1,750-word assignment.

The dissertation is usually 13,500-15,000 words in length (80 credits) and students are supervised online, via email and videoconferencing.

The tutors on the course are Tineke Brunfaut, Luke Harding and John Pill along with other experienced colleagues from the Department of Linguistics and English Language.

The programme starts in September of Year 1 and runs over 2 academic years, ending in September two years later.

The compulsory orientation is currently delivered online. Students are not required to visit Lancaster.

For confirmation of the current tuition fees please see the individual programme pages.

The MA in Language Testing is a two-year part-time programme. Please note that the fee for the second year will be slightly higher, since fees are increased on an annual basis.

Lancaster University will normally send an invoice for the first half of the programme once it has started, in October, and an invoice for the second half of the course at the beginning of the second year. However, if it is more convenient for funders, the University can send out invoices as soon as the student has confirmed that they are accepting the offer to study on the MA programme and have completed the registration process.

Yes, it is possible to pay in 2 equal installments each year.

The course starts in September. Applications are accepted at any time while early applications are preferred. Applications received by July will, if accepted, definitely allow a September start.

If you are interested in applying, please go to the Applying for postgraduate study webpage and follow the instructions. If you have any queries, please contact our Admissions team:

For more details about how to apply, please see our General Advice.