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

• Language in the Social World

  This module introduces issues around language and society. You will develop an understanding of language as a social phenomenon, including the interplay of individual linguistic choices and social structures. You'll also expand your abilities to synthesise materials, think critically and communicate effectively about the relationship of language and society.

• Approaches to Language and Communication

  This module introduces human and animal communication systems and the frameworks which describe and explain them. You'll examine the relationship between language and communication and explore notions from key-thinkers to discuss philosophical, sociological and cognitive views of linguistic communication.

• Understanding Language

  This module introduces the study of language (linguistics) and its main branches of phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. It will enable you to carry out analysis of real language data using different linguistic frameworks. You'll be encouraged to be more critical of your own language ability and to develop and hone communication skills whilst also developing your written work.

• Introduction to Intercultural Communication

  This module explores intercultural communication in a technologically connected world. Through examining communication in national and individual-level communities and groups, you'll investigate how different narratives and positions emerge. You will explore the challenges and opportunities of intercultural communication in a complex, interconnected and inequitable world shaped by technology and other global forces.

• Investigating Language

  This module provides a solid foundation in research methodologies and methods. It will develop your abilities in reading, processing and critically assessing analytical research. It will also build your skills in investigating language and linguistic patterns.

• Understanding Culture

  This module introduces the relationship of language and culture through the discipline of linguistic anthropology. You'll build skills in key areas such as linguistic determinism and relativism, the ethnography of communication and communicative competence. Through this intellectual framing (a concept introduced in the module), you will be able to make connections about your own cultural experience of language use.

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 Student View.

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
• Multilingualism
• Mind and Language
• Deconstruction: Language, Theory, Society

Options*

• Language Minoritisation and Revitalisation
• Researching English Language Use
• Image and Text: The Language of Comics and Graphic Novels
• Introduction to Journalism
• Creative Writing
• Queer Writing
• Television Studio Production
• American Literature 1850–1960
• Cinema and Society  
• Documentary Filmmaking: Theory and Practice
• Power and Persuasion

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
• Dissertation

Options*

• Approaches to the Study of Meaning
• Language, Culture and Ideology
• World Englishes
• Language of Gender and Sexuality
• Language, Law and the State: The Politics of Force
• Analysing Big Data: Quantitative Methods in Language Research
• English Language Teaching
• Community Placement: Theory and Practice
• Russian Literature and Culture
• Apocalypse, Utopia, Dystopia
• Literature and Philosophy
• Conflict, Migration, Borders
• Postcolonial Literatures

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 2022–23.

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 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.

Campus where this course is taught

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