Linguistics BA(Hons)

Year 1

In the first year you will be introduced to the three main areas of study in linguistics: structure – morphology and syntax – the study of how words and sentences are formed; meaning – semantics and pragmatics – the study of linguistics meaning and meaning in use; sound – phonetics and phonology – the study of the speech sounds and how the sound systems of different languages work.

You will also gain an insight into the processes through which children acquire their first language.

Modules

• General Linguistics 1: Phonetics and Phonology

  In this module you will develop your understanding of phonetics and phonology. In phonetics, you will study physical properties of speech sounds and of the articulatory mechanisms used in speech production and perception. In phonology, you'll study the systematic use of sounds in language. By the end of the module you will be able to describe phonetic and phonological processes from a variety of the world’s languages, as well as undertake basic phonetic and phonological analysis in a range of languages, and transcribe a wide variety of sounds.

• General Linguistics 2: Morphology and Syntax

  In this module you will develop your understanding of morphology and syntax. Descriptive analysis in the two branches of linguistics will enable you to examine how different natural languages can be, by illustrating a range of morphological and syntactic features.

• Introduction to Semantics

  This module is an introduction to the study of meaning in linguistics. You will explore the key concepts in semantics – the study of word and sentence meaning. These concepts include: the nature of context and the difference between context-dependent and context-independent meaning; semantic competence; the notions of sense and reference; truth-conditions; sense relations; propositional logic; lexical semantics.

• Introduction to Pragmatics

  This module is an introduction to the study of meaning in linguistics. You will explore the key concepts in pragmatics – the study of language in use. These concepts include: the nature of context and the difference between context-dependent and context-independent meaning; Gricean non-natural meaning and ‘saying versus ‘implicating’; generalised conversational implicatures; speech act theory; non-literal language and tropes; relevance theory; contextualist approaches, pragmatics and mental architecture.

• Language Acquisition and Development

  This module will introduce you to the key questions in language acquisition and development, such as:

  • What is distinctive about human language?
  • Are all languages basically similar?
  • How do humans acquire language?
  • What theoretical models have been proposed to explain language acquisition?

  In order to add an empirical dimension to these discussions, you will also look in detail at how English is acquired by children and how disability and impairment can affect language development and use.

• The Structure and Grammar of English

  On this module you'll develop your understanding of the basic structure/grammar of English and develop your awareness of how different choices of forms of spoken and written English might affect meaning.

Our courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis in order to make sure that what you learn with us is relevant and that your course enables you to develop appropriate skills. When you apply to study with us, we will inform you of any new developments in your chosen programme through our applicant portal.

Year 2 

In your second year you will look more deeply into the areas you explored in your first year, engage with formal descriptions of language and examine a range of theoretical issues. Your grammatical knowledge will be deepened by focusing on a small range of phenomena in great detail and you will be introduced to the relationship between language and the mind (psycholinguistics) and language and society (sociolinguistics).

You will have the opportunity to spend a year abroad at the end of your second year at a partner university.

Modules

• Linguistics and Grammar: Concepts and Analyses
• Semantics
• Mind and Language
• Deconstruction: Language, Theory, Society

Options*

• Multilingualism
• Sign Language Linguistics
• Language, Identity and Power
• Researching English Language Use
• Image and Text: The Language of Comics and Graphic Novels
• Regional Englishes
• Introduction to Journalism
• Creative Writing
• Queer Writing
• Television Studio Production
• American Literature 1850–1960
• Photography: From Painting with Light to Zeros and Ones
• Documentary Filmmaking: Theory and Practice

You can also choose option modules from across our humanities and arts subjects. 

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Final year 

In your final year, you will have opportunities to critically evaluate linguistic theories in your areas of interest through writing an extended dissertation on a topic of your choice. This piece of work will be a culmination of your undergraduate experience and a reflection of your newly acquired expertise in linguistics.

You will also be writing your dissertation on a chosen topic in linguistics which you will have had an opportunity to study in depth throughout your degree. This piece of work will be a culmination of your undergraduate experience and a reflection of your expertise in linguistics.

Modules

• Language, Philosophy, Mind
• Non-truth-conditional Semantics
• Pragmatics, Meaning and Truth
• Dissertation

Options*

• Approaches to the Study of Meaning
• Language, Culture and Ideology
• Conversation Analysis
• Language in the Law
• Policy and Planning
• Community Placement: Theory and Practice
• Russian Literature and Culture
• Literature and Philosophy
• Conflict, Migration, Borders
• Culture Wars: Revisiting the Great Divide
• Images of War
• Autobiography and the Screen

You can also choose option modules from across our humanities and arts subjects. 

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Watch students talking about their experiences of the Community Placement module.

Staff profile 

Dr Jelena Timotijevic, course leader

An expert in the fields of philosophy of language and contrastive linguistics, Jelena's teaching and research interests focus on contextualism as a philosophical movement within philosophy of language, as well as grammar and modality in English and German.

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in the fee, while studying a course in the School of Humanities are listed here.

• For a number of courses you will have the opportunity to attend field trips and off-site visits. These are optional and are not required to pass your course but under normal circumstances we would expect a budget of approximately £150 per year will cover the costs of particular trips. The amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken.
• You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.
• In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget up to £150 per year for printing.
• Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £200 to buy your own copies

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2020–21.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus