English Studies - Linguistics, part-time (extramural), second cycle

About the studies

These studies are intended for candidates who have successfully completed their undergraduate studies having attained a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent thereof. The duration of the studies is four semesters.

English Studies - Linguistics is a programme within the field of humanities, the discipline of linguistics, which comprises, among others, research on the structure of language, language change, the relationship between language and the human brain, communication, language acquisition and foreign language teaching.

Students choose the MA seminar in linguistics – the one that is most connected to their interests and professional goals. The other courses are complementary to the content of the seminar and help students broaden their knowledge of linguistics.

The Institute offers several MA seminars, taught by experienced academic teachers and researchers. Within the part-time programme, we provide mainly seminars that aim at developing competences important for educators, teachers, and those working in international and intercultural environments.

All classes are conducted in English.

Our graduates find employment in various sectors of economic and public life. The programme teaches skills that are looked for by employers, such as self-education and team work, it promotes making independent choices, allows for interdisciplinary training, enhances responsibility and decision-making abilities. The methods of instruction facilitate independent learning and self-study; stress is put on training the power to reason, to identify problems and to find right solutions.

Our graduates know the English language at the C2 level (according to CEFR), close to that of well-educated native speakers of the language, which allows them to effectively perform professional and academic activity in the chosen field. They possess broad knowledge in the discipline of linguistics and, additionally, in literature and culture of Anglophone countries, and general knowledge in the field of humanities; they are well-prepared to continue academic or practical education as well as to undertake a job requiring high skills. They are conscious of the significance of their knowledge and skills, and know how to design the path of their self-development.

As an additional option, students may take part in our teacher training programme, during the four semesters of studies, to get qualifications needed to teach English at all levels, which are awarded after the student has obtained the MA diploma.

Compulsory courses

1. MA Seminar
2. Complementary seminar
3. Monographic lecture in linguistics
4. CLIL – academic language in the discipline of linguistics
5. Monographic lecture: literature and culture
6. Philosophy
7. All-university courses

Elective courses

1. Courses in linguistics
2. Courses in literature and culture

Type and form of study

This is a part-time (extramural) course of study, tuition-based; classes are held on week-ends. Traditional in-class and/or on-line modes of teaching depend on current regulations by the Rector of the University of Warsaw.

The seat of the Institute of English Studies UW is the modern building of the Faculty of Modern Languages at 55 Dobra Street, Warsaw, with convenient public transport options.

More information is available at the Institute of English Studies website.

Admission rules for candidates with Polish diplomas

There are two phases of the qualification procedure: a written examination in the English language at the C1 level and an oral examination in the field of English Studies – Linguistics.

Phase I: Written examination in the English language at the C1 level

It is an advanced written exam at the C1 level according to CEFR (i.e. the fifth of six levels, with the second highest degree of difficulty). Duration: 150 minutes.

Components:

• Listening comprehension (25% of the total score)
• Reading comprehension (20% of the total score)
• Use of language structures (55% of the total score)

Requirements:

• Knowledge of English allowing efficient functioning in a social, professional and academic context - the level of lexical-grammatical and phraseological competence required to successfully complete undergraduate studies conducted in English can be used as the reference level.
• In the area of reading and listening, understanding formal and academic discourse with a significant degree of lexical and structural complexity (e.g. lecture, interview, panel discussion, and press, literary and popular-science publication).

Candidates are required to obtain the minimum result of 60% on the C1 English exam. Candidates who pass the C1 English exam move on to the 2nd phase.

The score in the C1 English exam is not counted in the final qualification result. 

The result of the exam is valid for 5 years from the date it was taken. This provision is also applicable to the results of C1 exam received by the graduates of the BA programme in English Studies in the Institute of English Studies of the University of Warsaw. The result of a candidate’s exam must be valid on the day on which the admission results are announced. In order for the Admissions Committee to recognize the result of a previously taken exam, a suitable application must be submitted via the IRK system no later than on the last day of registration of candidates for full-time second-cycle studies.

Candidates who hold one of the certificates listed below are exempt from taking the C1 exam:

• Certificate in Advanced English / Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) / C1 Advanced issued by Cambridge Assessment English (previously Cambridge English Language Assessment and University of Cambridge ESOL examination)
• Certificate of Proficiency in English / Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) / C2 Proficiency issued by Cambridge Assessment English (previously Cambridge English Language Assessment and University of Cambridge ESOL examination)
• C1 Business Higher / Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC Higher) issued by Cambridge Assessment English (previously Cambridge English Language Assessment and University of Cambridge ESOL examination)
• Certificate on the C1 or C2 level issued by University Council for the Coordination of Foreign Language Teaching and Language Proficiency Certification
• C1 exam conducted by the UW Institute of English Studies
• ECL Language Test level C1 (min. score 80), issued by European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages
• Edexcel ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Level 2 issued by Pearson
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (min. score 64) issued by Pearson
• International English Language Testing System Academic (min. score 7) issued by International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (min. score 94) issued by Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Phase II: Oral examination

The oral examination is designed to test:

• ability to present the candidate’s scholarly interests, including a proposal of the Master's Thesis project;
• basic knowledge in linguistics, including key concepts, themes, theoretical approaches and research methodologies;
• ability to formulate ideas and arguments in spoken English (including language accuracy and language fluency).

The maximum number of points to be scored for the 2nd phase is 50. To pass, the candidate has to score at least 30 points (i.e. 60% of the total score).

Qualification is determined by the place on the ranking list created on the basis of the results of the 2nd phase of the qualification procedure. 

Admission procedure for candidates with foreign diplomas

The admissions criteria are the same as for candidates with Polish diplomas.

Foreigners with foreign diploma from outside of EU/EFTA/OECD/unrecognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification [more] 

The admissions criteria are the same as for candidates with Polish diplomas.

Checking the candidates' competence to undertake studies conducted in the English language

Foreigners with foreign diploma from outside of EU/EFTA/OECD/unrecognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification

Information on requirements concerning confirmation of the English language proficiency at a level of at least B2 is available here

Important! C1 level is required

Foreigners (does not apply to citizens of EU/EFTA) with foreign diploma from EU/EFTA/OECD/recognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification

Information on requirements concerning confirmation of the English language proficiency at a level of at least B2 is available here

Important! C1 level is required

Deadlines

C1 Level English Exam: 16th of July, 2026

Exam checking Candidates' preparation for second-cycle studies in English philology: 16th, 17th of July, 2026

Announcement of results: 22nd of July, 2026

Reception of documents: 

• I round: 23rd-24th, 27th of July, 2026
• II round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during I round): 28th-29th of July, 2026
• III round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during II round): 30th-31st of July, 2026
• additional rounds will be announced in case of not fulfilling the limits

Payments

Application fee

Student's ID payment (ELS)

The studies are payable - tuition fees

Required documents

List of required documents submitted by candidates qualified for studies

Additional information

Find us on the map: Institute of English Studies