(Full time) 2024 start
English Language and Linguistics BA
Overview
Study linguistics in the context of the English language and develop a deep understanding of the way humans communicate with each other.
Compulsory modules will introduce you to the history, structure and use of the English language and give you a good grounding in areas such as phonetics, syntax and conducting language research. You may also cover subjects such as language acquisition, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, corpus linguistics and discourse analysis.
You’ll study language in its spoken and written forms – you’ll engage with texts, but also undertake fieldwork and data analysis, gaining a wide range of skills that stand out to employers.
Specialist facilities
Leeds has fantastic resources for studying an English Language and Linguistics joint honours degree, including a fully-equipped phonetics lab for acoustic and articulatory speech analysis, a recording studio and a range of other resources to help with experimental research.
You'll be encouraged to make use of these facilities for module projects or your Final Year Project, giving you valuable experience of different types of research.
The Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research. You’ll have access to free classes and workshops so you can learn how to use them.
Take a look around our libraries:
Course content
A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.
Year 1
You’ll study compulsory modules introducing you to the structure and use of the English language, as well as the key concepts of linguistics and phonetics such as how speech sounds are produced, how grammars are organised and how language conveys meaning.
Year 2
You’ll learn more about phonetics and syntax in linguistics, and the social functions of language in English. At the same time, you’ll be able to choose from a range of optional modules. In linguistics, this could mean studying language and gender, language acquisition or psycholinguistics, while in English you could study the language of the media, corpus linguistics or forensic linguistics.
Year 3
You’ll be able to apply the critical skills you’ve gained to an independently researched dissertation in either subject. You’ll then choose at least two optional modules in the other subject and up to two in either subject. Optional modules span across the full range of English and linguistics, in areas such as language processing, language and gender, or the politics of language.
The course information shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.
For more information please read BA English Language and Linguistics in the course catalogue
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Key Concepts of English Language Study: One 20 credits
- Key Concepts of English Language Study: Two 20 credits
- Language: Meaning and Use 20 credits
- Key Skills in Linguistics 20 credits
- Language: Structure and Sound 20 credits
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Power of Language 20 credits
- Language in Society 20 credits
- Phonetics 20 credits
- Syntax 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Remixing the Renaissance 20 credits
- Style and Authorship 20 credits
- Dialect and Heritage 20 credits
- Prose Fiction Stylistics and the Mind 20 credits
- Crime Fiction Stylistics: Crossing Languages, Cultures, Media 20 credits
- Language of the Media 20 credits
- Towards the Future: Skills in Context 20 credits
- Psycholinguistics 20 credits
- The Life Cycle of Languages 20 credits
- Representation, Identity and Control 20 credits
- Language and Gender 20 credits
- Language Acquisition 20 credits
- Language Change 20 credits
- Interactional Linguistics 20 credits
- Global Environmental Humanities 20 credits
Year 3
Compulsory modules
<p aria-level="4" paraeid="{b4d250ae-80ab-44d9-a9d2-8cb663e06e58}{100}" paraid="1502325387" role="heading"><strong>Students must study 120 credits in Level 3. Joint Honours students must take: </strong><br /> <strong> <br /> English: </strong>either 40 credits of English language modules or ENGL3022 Dissertation (40 credits) </p> <p aria-level="4" paraeid="{b4d250ae-80ab-44d9-a9d2-8cb663e06e58}{110}" paraid="1750947631" role="heading"><strong>Linguistics:</strong> either 40 credits of Linguistics modules or LING3200 Dissertation (40 credits) </p> <p aria-level="4" paraeid="{b4d250ae-80ab-44d9-a9d2-8cb663e06e58}{118}" paraid="1268454441" role="heading"><strong>Plus </strong></p> <p aria-level="4" paraeid="{b4d250ae-80ab-44d9-a9d2-8cb663e06e58}{124}" paraid="1804835361" role="heading">Up to 20 credits of discovery modules or further modules in either of the named subjects. </p>
- Dissertation 40 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- English Language Dissertation 40 credits
- Digital Englishes 20 credits
- Prose Fiction Stylistics and the Mind 20 credits
- Crime Fiction Stylistics: Crossing Languages, Cultures, Media 20 credits
- Trial Discourse - The Proceedings of the Old Bailey 1674 - 1913 20 credits
- The Politics of Language 20 credits
- Global English: Colonialism, Postcolonialism, and Decolonisation 20 credits
- Languages in Contact 20 credits
- Language and Gender 20 credits
- Language Acquisition 20 credits
- Linguistics Dissertation 40 credits
- Representation, Identity and Control 20 credits
- The Life Cycle of Languages 20 credits
- Language Change 20 credits
- Interactional Linguistics 20 credits
- Language Processing 20 credits
- Sociophonetics 20 credits
- Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present 20 credits
- Experimental Syntax 20 credits
Learning and teaching
Our tutors are experts in their fields and leaders in their areas of research. You'll benefit from their knowledge and experience through a wide variety of learning and teaching methods. These include: lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops.
Our teaching is highly interactive and research-based, with a rich mix of face-to-face work and high-quality innovative and digital technology-based activities, to ensure an inclusive and rewarding learning environment.
Independent study is also an important part of the degree, since it gives you the chance to work on your research skills and think critically about what you find. We offer plenty of support, and the University library offers great training courses to help you make the most of our excellent resources.
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 use a variety of types of assessment including: essays, exams, research projects and analysis tasks. In some modules you may also be assessed on components using group work or oral presentations.
We also run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam technique, that you’ll be able to attend throughout your course.
We build substantial formative practice into our teaching, ensuring students are well prepared for final assessments. We ensure topics are relevant, useful and interesting, based on contemporary questions around authentic uses of language, and flexible enough to be engaging to all our students.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB including A in English (Language, Literature or Language and Literature).
Other course specific tests:Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be ABB at A Level including A in English and grade A in the EPQ.
We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. The Access course must include English modules. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required.
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BTEC
We will consider the level 3 QCF BTEC at Subsidiary Diploma level and above in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M2 including D3 in English.
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International Baccalaureate
35 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 in English at Higher Level.
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including H2 in English
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AB in Advanced Highers including A in English and AABBB in Highers, or A in English in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers.
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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.
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Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 80% including 8.5 in English.
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 offer: BBB at A Level including B in English and pass Access to Leeds; BBC at A Level including B in English and A in a relevant EPQ and pass Access to Leeds.
Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year
This course is designed for students whose backgrounds mean they are less likely to attend university (also known as widening participation backgrounds) and who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry to a degree.
The course will give you the opportunity to be taught by academic staff and provides intensive support to enable your development of academic skills and knowledge. On successful completion of your foundation year, you will progress to your chosen degree course. Find out more about the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
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 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 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
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
Read our guidance about applying.
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: £9,250 (per year)
International: £24,500 (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.
Career opportunities
A degree in English Language and Linguistics will equip you with a wide range of skills. You’ll be able to study different approaches, some of which will be more arts-focused and others more science-oriented. It means you can cultivate skills in several areas that employers highly value.
You’ll be able to study and analyse different types of data, both qualitative and quantitative, test your hypotheses and use technology to solve problems. You’ll also be a critical thinker with an advanced understanding of communication.
As a result, graduates have gone into a range of careers including: coding, data analytics, business and finance, publishing, broadcasting, journalism, PR, advertising and marketing, charity and NGO work, human resource management, tourism and the civil service.
Others have studied for a postgraduate qualification in Linguistics to pursue a linguistics-based career or to prepare for PhD study, or undertaken further training in careers such as law, education, speech and language therapy, forensic linguistics, and speech technology.
We do everything we can to support your career ambitions. As well as the chance to study abroad or spend a year working in industry, you could choose to apply for one of the internships the University offers every year to gain real work experience and explore career options.
The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies also offers tailored careers and employability support, including opportunities to work for the School and benefit from employer-led workshops and events.
Careers support
The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies regularly hosts employability events where you can listen to Leeds alumni talking about their careers and ask them for advice.
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.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
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.