Course Overview

The MSc in Applied Multilingualism is designed to cater for increasing linguistic diversity in communities in Ireland, the EU and globally. Multilingualism is defined as using more than one language or being able to function, at some level, in more than one language. Some people grow up in multilingual communities where they acquire multiple languages from early on, while others learn foreign languages later in life. Different language circumstances have a different impact on individuals and communities. This innovative new programme welcomes Irish and international students alike.   

The main aims of the programme are to: 

  • Provide a learning environment and experience that fosters problem-solving, critical thinking and critical reflection in understanding, planning and catering for diverse multilingual people and their communities.  
  • Develop students’ professional competencies in the field of multilingualism within the boundaries of professional accountability and critically examine their professional role and expertise. 
  • Encourage students to develop their own professional and research interests and to demonstrate their knowledge and capability to critique current literature, adopt best-practice and develop, undertake and disseminate research in the field of multilingualism. 
  • Develop advanced skills and flexibility in attitudes that will enable students to manage projects related to and in collaboration with people from diverse backgrounds and language experiences in order to maximise the quality of life and well-being of those groups. 
  • Stimulate and support academically-oriented students further develop their academic career through a structured PhD in the field of multilingualism.   

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. All will be required to submit a personal statement. Applicants who meet the minimum entry criteria will be considered. In the case of a high number of suitable applicants selection will be made on the basis of personal statements and interviews.  

Who Teaches this Course

Dr Stanislava Antonijevic-Elliott 

B.S., M.S., Ph.D 

Associate Professor 
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Dr Andrea Ciribucco 

Ph.D 

Lecturer 

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/our-research/people/languages-literatures-and-cultures/andreaciribuco/  

 

Dr Mary-Pat O'Malley 

B.Sc., M.LITT, Ph.D 

Associate Professor 

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An tOll. Tadhg Ó hIfearnáin 

BA, PhD 

Ollamh Bunaithe le Gaeilge / Established Professor of Irish 
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researcher
Dr Stanislava Antonijevic-Elliott
B.S., M.S., Ph.D
Associate Professor
Aras Moyola
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researcher
Prof. Saoirse Nic Gabhainn
B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Professor of Health Promotion
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researcher
Dr Mary-Pat O'Malley
B.Sc., M.LITT, Ph.D
Senior Lecturer
Discipline Speech & Lang Therapy
¿ras Moyola
University of Galway
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researcher
An tOll. Tadhg Ó hIfearnáin
BA, PhD
Ollamh Bunaithe le Gaeilge / Established Professor of Irish
Roinn na Gaeilge
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe
Gaillimh
H91 TK33
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researcher
Dr. Liam Ó hAisibéil
B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Léachtóir le Gaeilge
Roinn na Gaeilge
Áras na Gaeilge
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe
H91 TK33
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Requirements and Assessment

All modules involve continuous assessment in the form of written assignments and other forms of assessment as advised. Written and oral assignments will apply in the case of Advance Language Skills modules. Students are required to successfully complete a minor dissertation in order to achieve the award of MSc. 

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants will be expected to possess a good quality first degree at NFQ Level 8 (at least an upper second class honours degree) or an equivalent qualification from Arts programmes (e.g., languages, education, psychology, sociology and political science, geography) or from medical, nursing, and health care programmes (e.g., speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, public health nurses). Applicants intending to take modules in Advanced Language Skills will have to possess language proficiency that is equivalent to B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Applicants are required to fulfill the following English language requirements.

Find full information on international scholarship opportunities here. 

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

1 year (full-time); 2 years (part-time)

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

20

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90 ECTS (full-time); part time pro-rata

Award

CAO

Course code

MSC-AML

Course Outline

Bilingual commercial sign in Luxembourgish and French in Luxembourg City. Luxembourg is officially trilingual but is a highly multilingual society.

Photo 4--JW
Trilingual road sign in Val Gardena in northern Italy, where Ladin, German and Italian are spoken.

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject
Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject
A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

OptionalSL5101: Narratives in Childhood - 10 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalSL5102: Using evidence to inform practice - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalFR562: Advanced Language Skills I (French) - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNG6110: Teanga na Gaeilge - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalGDT102.1: Irish for Beginners II: Reading and Writing - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalGDT103.1: Irish for Beginners I: Conversation & Listening Skills - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalFM6120: Human Rights: An Introduction for Advocates and Activists - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalGR130: Beginners German Language 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalSL5111: Cultural Awareness in Research - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalSH562: Advanced Language Skills I (Spanish) - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalIT562: Advanced Language Skills I (Italian) - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalIT6103: Language for Environmental Futures II - 10 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredHP832: Research Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredNG6112: Sociolinguistics of Multilingualism - 10 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredSL5012: Dissertation in Applied Multilingualism - 30 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredSL5011: Cultural, Linguistic and Social Diversity - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalMIC6100: Resisting through Culture: Conflicts in Europe and Beyond - 10 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalFR563: Advanced Language Skills 2 (French) - 10 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalIT6101: Audiovisual Translation: Interlingual Subtitling - 10 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalGDT102.2: Irish for Beginners II: Reading and Writing - 5 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalGDT103.2: Irish for Beginners I: Conversation & Listening Skills - 5 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalGR131: Beginners German Language 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalSH563: Advanced Language Skills II (Spanish) - 10 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalIT563: Advanced Language Skills 2 (Italian) - 10 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalIT6100: Applied Multilingualism: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Approaches - 10 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredSL5010: Psycholinguistics of Multilingualism - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Increasingly multilingual societies are creating demand for professionals in the fields of health, education, public administration and NGOs who are equipped to work with multilingual populations. Furthermore, improving language skills is relevant for those intending to seek employment in the areas of language planning and policy, language teaching, cultural and heritage institutions, government and diplomacy. Possible career avenues include:

  • Health professionals providing services to multilingual populations
  • Educational professionals working with multilingual populations
  • NGO staff working with linguistic diversity
  • Organisations working with minority languages and language planning
  • International organisations specialising in language policy (EU, UNESCO, OSCE, etc.)
  • Civil servants employed in administrations with a remit to serve more than then one language community
  • Employees in diplomatic services and cultural/heritage organisations
  • Academic/research careers

CALM

Centre for Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism

CALM News and Events

Launch of CALM

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€ TBC full-time; € TBC part-time p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€ TBC full-time; € TBC part-time p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€ TBC p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€ TBC p.a. (€ TBC p.a. including levy) 2025/26


For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here

Find out More

Stasha and John
John Walsh and Stanislava Antonijevic-Elliott (Programme Director), pictured at a recent University of Galway Postgraduate Open Day.

Dr Stanislava Antonijevic-Elliott
School of Health Sciences,
Áras Moyola,
University of Galway,
Galway
T: +353 91 495 623
E: stanislava.antonijevic@universityofgalway.ie

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