No prior knowledge of Linguistics is required for admission to the MA programme. The MA is an ab initio degree, applicants who have already completed a BA in Linguistics are not eliglbe to apply.
Competence in a language other than English is not required but useful.
Applicants must have a BA or equivalent, having normally reached a 2H1 or better. Applications with a 2H2 average are considered on a case-by-case basis.
All students must normally supply references from two academic referees who are able to provide details about the applicant's academic abilities and motivations. Work references are accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Students whose first language is not English and who did not complete their prior education through English (or Irish) must take an IELTS test to provide proof of their English language skills. Students are expected to reach a minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.5 (particularly in writing and speaking).
Students who fall a bit short (0.5 in one band) of the required scores may consider attending a a 10 week and 7 week course in the Applied Language Center prior to the start of the MA programme.[1]

[1] Students joining the 10 week programme are required to have an IELTS of 5.5 with no component below 5.0 (or equivalent). Students joining the 7 week programme are required to have an IELTS of 6.0 with no component below 5.5. Toefl A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section.