Modern Languages and Linguistics BA

Combine your passion for speaking languages with a fascination for how they work, by studying linguistics alongside one of ten languages.

You'll develop the spoken and written skills in your chosen language, and explore the cultures and histories of the countries where the language is spoken.

Developing expertise in linguistics will help you navigate the uniquely complex phenomenon of language. You’ll explore language acquisition, structure and change, the mental and social processes that shape and sustain human interaction, as well as phonetics – the study of how speech sounds are physically produced.

Studying a language will complement this expertise as you’ll be able to use these linguistic concepts and theories to enhance your language learning. Your year abroad will further enhance your language learning.

In your final year, you'll develop a project on a topic of your choice to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you have gained during this four-year degree.

Choose one of the following languages:

-Arabic (beginners level. If you have previous knowledge, contact us)

-Chinese (beginners level. If you have previous knowledge, contact us)

-French (post-A level only)

-German (post-A level only)

-Italian (beginners level. If you have previous knowledge, contact us)

-Japanese (beginners level. If you have previous knowledge, contact us)

-Portuguese (beginners level. If you have previous knowledge, contact us)

-Russian (beginners or post-A level)

-Spanish (beginners or post-A level)

-Thai (beginners level. If you have previous knowledge, contact us)

You must include your chosen language in the ‘Further Details’ section of your UCAS application.

Specialist facilities

You’ll spend a year living in a country where the language you are studying is spoken. This experience will both develop your language skills and immerse you in its cultural context, developing intercultural awareness and understanding of the world from new perspectives.

In your final year, you'll develop a project on a topic of your own choosing. You might decide to bring several aspects of your previous studies together, for example looking at children's acquisition of Spanish, social variation in German, or the use of rhetorical figures by learners of Chinese as a second language. This project, which could feature fieldwork and data analysis as well as engagement with spoken or written texts, will enable you to demonstrate a wide range of skills that stand out to employers.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

<p><a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/languages-undergraduate/doc/ba-languages-linguistics-modules/page/1">More information on typical modules for the different language combinations of this course</a></p>

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We also use different types of assessment. Usually we use a mixture of exams and essays, but you may also be assessed on oral presentations or group work in some modules. Support will be on hand throughout your time at Leeds – for example, you’ll be able to attend extra classes on exam technique, structuring an essay and public speaking if you need them.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB

Where a post-A level language route is taken, an A grade in the relevant language is expected.

Where a beginner language route is taken, another language A level or GCSE is expected.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• BTEC

  Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• International Baccalaureate

  Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

• Other Qualifications

  European Baccalaureate: contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds can be two grades lower than the published entry requirement for each course. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

You need to tell us your language combination when you apply. Input your chosen language in the Further Details section on your UCAS application.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £20,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Combining a language with the study of linguistics allows you to develop fluency in a major world language whilst gaining an in-depth understanding of the way language itself works. As well as demonstrating that you’re intellectually versatile, your degree will equip you with a wide range of skills across different disciplines that employers actively seek.

You’ll have good research skills, and you’ll be able to analyse complex information from multiple sources before drawing your own conclusions. You’ll then be able to communicate and defend your views clearly, either verbally or in writing. In addition, you’ll have strong research and organisational skills and be confident working independently or in a team. You will also have a strong understanding of cultural diversity, allowing you to work effectively with people whose backgrounds differ from yours.

All of these qualities are very attractive to employers, and graduates have pursued careers across the globe that reflect the diversity of their degrees. They’ve gone on to be successful in education, the media, law, publishing, the civil service, business and finance and the charity sector to name a few. Many others have also pursued postgraduate study, including further training in language-based careers such as translating and interpreting.

Careers support

Postgraduate study in languages at Leeds or elsewhere provides an opportunity to continue to learn and prepare for a PhD and a career in academia.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

An integral part of your degree is the opportunity to spend a year abroad in a country where your chosen language is spoken. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture while sharpening and refining your language skills every day. For many of our students, it’s the highlight of their degree.

If you are studying Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian or Thai, you’ll spend your second year abroad and you will be studying an intensive language course.

Otherwise, you’ll be spending your third year abroad and, depending on your hosting country, you may be able to complete a work placement, undertake a British Council school assistantship or study at one of our partner universities.

Whatever your options, you’ll gain a new perspective on another cultures and societies across the world.

For details on the options available for your chosen language please see the links below:

• Read more about Arabic Residence Abroad
• Read more about Chinese Residence Abroad
• Read more about French Residence Abroad
• Read more about German Residence Abroad
• Read more about Italian Residence Abroad
• Read more about Japanese Residence Abroad
• Read more about Spanish and Portuguese Residence Abroad
• Read more about Russian Residence Abroad
• Read more about Thai Residence Abroad

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.