Linguistics and Philosophy BA

Course overview

This joint honours degree explores how language works, how it’s structured, interpreted and used, alongside key philosophical questions and thinking.

Studying linguistics will allow you to develop an understanding of human communication using approaches from the arts and sciences to equip you with a variety of skills. Compulsory and optional modules will allow you to explore topics such as language acquisition, syntax, language change and processing as well as phonetics – the study of how speech sounds are physically produced.

In philosophy, you can explore fundamental questions about how we understand the world, through studying key concepts and topics such as argument construction, moral and political philosophy, the nature of knowledge and reality, and philosophy of language. You’ll also explore applied philosophy in topics such as bioethics, race, gender, and the philosophy of war and terrorism.

Specialist facilities

Leeds has fantastic resources for studying a Linguistics and Philosophy joint honours degree, with a unique focus on understanding speech production and interaction.

Our facilities include a fully equipped phonetics lab for speech analysis, a recording studio and a range of other resources to help with experimental and corpus-based research.

Our libraries are valuable assets for your studies, including archives of specialist manuscripts, and a huge range of digital sources, books, journals and corpora of written and spoken language. You’ll have access to free classes and workshops on how to use these resources to provide you with excellent digital literacy skills.

Take a look around our libraries:

• Brotherton Library
• Laidlaw Library
• Edward Boyle Library

Course details

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. You’ll also undertake a major research project in either subject in your final year.

Year 1

You'll be introduced to the structure of language, as well as how language is used to convey meaning. You’ll study topics such as moral philosophy, epistemology (theory of knowledge), the self, and how to construct and analyse philosophical arguments.

Year 2

You’ll study further compulsory modules in the key areas of syntax and phonetics, alongside a range of optional choices. This could mean studying language and gender, language acquisition or psycholinguistics. You’ll continue to take a broad approach to philosophy by choosing modules from areas such as philosophy of science, language, mind, knowledge, moral and political philosophy, or history of philosophy.

Year 3

You’ll benefit from a wide choice of linguistics options including sociophonetics or languages in contact. Philosophy modules are undergoing revision, but the list below will give a flavour of what is likely to be available. You’ll also be able to showcase the analytical and research skills you’ve gained when you undertake an independent project on a topic of your choice in either of the two disciplines.

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.

Year 1 compulsory modules

Language: Meaning and Use (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the scientific study of language use. It covers how language is acquired (language acquisition) and processed in the mind (psycholinguistics), how meaning is conveyed through language (semantics and pragmatics) and how language use varies across time, geographical areas and social settings (sociolinguistics). You'll be confronted with language data from English and other languages, and gain an understanding of how skills in linguistic analysis can be applied to a range of social and psychological phenomena.

Language: Structure and Sound (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the scientific study of language structure and speech sounds. It covers core concepts in linguistics and phonetics, focusing on how speech sounds are produced (phonetics) and function as part of the sound systems of languages (phonology), on the internal structure of words (morphology) and on the internal structure of sentences (syntax). You'll gain an insight into how language and speech work, and how language and speech patterns vary across the world’s languages.

How to do Philosophy (20 credits) - This introductory module offers you a foundation in some of the formal and informal reasoning skills used in philosophy.

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

The Mind (10 credits) - This taster module introduces you to key themes, debates and ideas in the philosophy of mind.

Introduction to Philosophy of Religion (10 credits) - This taster module introduces you to some of the key themes, debates and ideas in philosophy of religion.

The Good, the Bad, the Right, the Wrong (20 credits) - This module introduces you to some of the key themes, debates and ideas in moral and political philosophy.

Knowledge, Self and Reality (20 credits) - This module introduces you to central issues in philosophy of mind, epistemology, and metaphysics which concern the self and its relationship to the rest of the world. For example: What am I? How can I have knowledge of the world around me? To what extent is reality dependent on me?

History of Western Philosophy (20 credits) - This introductory module aims to provide you with an understanding of how western philosophy has developed as a distinct approach to philosophical enquiry by examining a selection of thinkers who influenced its development, potentially going back as far as the Ancient Greeks and extending to the 18th century.

Philosophy Meets the World (10 credits) - This taster module takes you through different ways in which academic philosophy can illuminate real world issues. This might be approached through a wide range of different areas of philosophy such as: moral and political philosophy, applied ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of law or philosophy of mind. The particular approach will change annually.

Thinking About Race (10 credits) - This taster module introduces you to a cluster of philosophically interesting issues around the topic of race.

Languages of the World (20 credits) – This module introduces you to varieties of English and non-English languages. You’ll develop key transferable skills of teamwork and group presentations as well as discipline-specific language analysis skills and presentation of linguistic examples. You’ll communicate the results of your research in the form of verbal presentations and written reports. You’ll also co-organise a conference and write an individual report on a language variety of your choice.

Year 2 compulsory modules

Phonetics (20 credits) - This module looks at how the human vocal mechanism works to produce the sounds we observe in the world’s languages. You’ll learn how to describe and classify speech sounds on the basis of their articulatory characteristics. Some basic concepts in acoustic phonetic analysis are introduced. You’ll also learn how to use the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe speech sounds, and are trained in the production and perception of the sounds associated with the Alphabet’s symbols.

Syntax (20 credits) - This module introduces you to principles of syntactic theory and trains you to carry out basic practical syntactic analysis with reference to English and other languages. You’ll gain a better understanding of the language(s) they speak, and become aware of the often surprising structural similarities between languages. The module introduces you to formal systems and develops your ability to build an argument and to identify supporting or conflicting evidence.

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Psycholinguistics (20 credits) - This modules focuses on non-human communication, innateness and the biological basis for language, and language acquisition. In exploring these issues, several important questions are addressed, such as: Are humans biologically endowed with the capacity for language? How do children acquire language? What can we learn about the way the brain processes language by looking at language and other cognitive impairments? The module provides a foundation for further, more specialised study of psycholinguistic topics.

The Life Cycle of Languages (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the major issues concerning language origins, diversity, endangerment and death. Topics covered include: language origins and evolution; biological models of evolution and biodiversity as they apply to languages; linguistic diversity; language and population genetics; social, historical and political factors leading to language endangerment and death; and language documentation and revitalisation.

Representation, Identity and Control (20 credits) - The central theme of this module is the interactions between language choice and the power of the text and/or participants. This is investigated via three avenues: representation of events using language (media language, political language, advertising), control within talk (questions, interruptions) and ideologies of language and identity social class and ethnicity). The emphasis in this module is on the practical analysis of (English) texts, using the linguistic tools and terminology introduced in the lectures. You’ll be encouraged to participate in critical analyses in the classroom, and also start to see the connections between the linguistic tools, linguistic analyses and social analyses.

Language and Gender (20 credits) - This module explores the relationship between language, gender and sexualities by engaging with (English) texts and media that sustain cultural ideas about gendered identities. The module specifically considers the suggestion that men and women use spoken language in different ways, taking into account early approaches to work in the field of language and gender. The module also covers areas of spoken and written language that contribute to the construction of ideas about masculinity and femininity against a backdrop of heteronormativity and cultural assumptions about gendered roles.

Language Change (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the study of language change and provides insights into how this works. It outlines the most frequently observed linguistic changes over time and discusses theories of why these changes occur and others do not. It covers changes in the meanings use of words and phrases, changes in pronunciation, and a range of grammatical changes in a wide range of languages. It focuses on language-internal factors driving these changes, as opposed to factors such as language contact, and shows that most language change happens because of some fundamental properties of human language.

Past Thinkers: History of Modern Philosophy (20 credits) - This gateway module offers an intermediate level text-based exploration of some of the most influential philosophical thinkers in the modern period (17th and 18th century). These might include, for instance, Leibniz, Hume, Locke or Berkeley.

How to Live Together: Topics in Political Philosophy (20 credits) - This gateway module offers an intermediate level exploration of a selection of themes, debates and ideas in political philosophy. This includes the concepts of political legitimacy and authority, civil and uncivil disobedience and the work of key contemporary thinkers.

Do the Right Thing: Topics in Moral Philosophy (20 credits) - This gateway module offers an intermediate level exploration of some of the central concepts, issues, theories, and debates in an area of moral philosophy called 'normative ethics', thereby providing you with a framework for thinking seriously about moral matters, and to assist you in developing your philosophical and analytical skills.

How do you Know? Topics in Epistemology (20 credits) - This gateway module offers an intermediate level exploration of a selection of themes, debates and ideas in epistemology, including for instance issues concerning human knowledge and associated epistemological concepts such as having a good reason (‘justification’) for belief.

God, Thought and the World: Topics in Philosophy of Religion (20 credits) - This gateway module offers an intermediate level exploration of a selection of themes, debates and ideas in the philosophy of religion including, for instance, philosophical considerations that bear on rational (dis-) belief in God and common arguments for and against the existence of God.

Reality Check: Topics in Metaphysics (20 credits) - This gateway module offers an intermediate level exploration of a selection of themes, debates and ideas in metaphysics (the study of fundamental reality). Its main concern is with ontology, the study of what, in the most general, abstract terms, exist.

Does Science Work? Topics in Philosophy of Science (20 credits) - This gateway module offers an intermediate level exploration of a selection of themes, debates and ideas in the philosophy of science such as, for instance, the nature of scientific discovery, the nature of scientific evidence and justification, the nature of observation and experiments; and the objectivity of science.

Year 3 compulsory modules

Final Year Project in either linguistics or philosophy (40 credits)

Linguistics - You’ll carry out and complete a piece of original research in linguistics guided by a supervisor, thus gaining in-depth knowledge of a specific area chosen by themselves.

Philosophy - You can either conduct independent research on a topic you have previously studied or select one of the final year modules to serve as the basis of and scaffolding for your independent research, allowing you to explore a topic you haven’t previously studied.

Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Languages in Contact (20 credits) - This module enhances your understanding of languages in contact. It also develops a set of critical as well as creative skills in relation to bilingual and multilingual practices so that you’ll be able to understand what it means to know and use multiple languages. The emphasis in this module is on cognitive, pragmatic and sociolinguistic aspects of language contact, interrogated through examples from multilingual realities in Europe and beyond.

Language and Gender (20 credits) - This module explores the relationship between language, gender and sexualities by engaging with (English) texts and media that sustain cultural ideas about gendered identities. The module specifically considers the suggestion that men and women use spoken language in different ways, taking into account early approaches to work in the field of language and gender. The module also covers areas of spoken and written language that contribute to the construction of ideas about masculinity and femininity against a backdrop of heteronormativity and cultural assumptions about gendered roles.

The Life Cycle of Languages (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the major issues concerning language origins, diversity, endangerment and death. Topics covered include: language origins and evolution; biological models of evolution and biodiversity as they apply to languages; linguistic diversity; language and population genetics; social, historical and political factors leading to language endangerment and death; and language documentation and revitalisation.

Language Change (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the study of language change and provides insights into how this works. It outlines the most frequently observed linguistic changes over time and discusses theories of why these changes occur and others do not. It covers changes in the meanings use of words and phrases, changes in pronunciation and a range of grammatical changes in a wide range of languages. It focuses on language-internal factors driving these changes, as opposed to factors such as language contact, and shows that most language change happens because of some fundamental properties of human language.

Philosophy of Mind (20 credits) - This advanced level module explores central topics in the philosophy of mind, including such topics as intentionality, functionalism, dualism, supervenience, mental causation, emotion and self-deception.

Feminist Philosophy (20 credits) - This advanced level module looks at philosophy that is particularly relevant to women's lives, ranging over most subfields of philosophy including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. 

War, Terror and Justice (20 credits) - This advanced level module examines key ethical aspects of the international order: centrally, war, terrorism, and international justice.

Experimental Syntax (20 credits) - This module develops advanced research and analytical skills in generative syntax. Looking at data from English and other languages, you’ll investigate theories of argument structure, thematic relations, anaphora and movement. You’ll also explore how theoretical predictions can be tested experimentally, using empirical data from child or adult language acquisition, language processing, or language impairments.

Representation, Identity and Control (20 credits) - The central theme of this module is the interactions between language choice and the power of the text and/or participants. This is investigated via three avenues: representation of events using language (media language, political language, advertising), control within talk (questions, interruptions) and ideologies of language and identity social class and ethnicity). The emphasis in this module is on the practical analysis of (English) texts, using the linguistic tools and terminology introduced in the lectures. You’ll be encouraged to participate in critical analyses in the classroom, and also start to see the connections between the linguistic tools, linguistic analyses and social analyses.

Philosophy of Language (20 credits) - This module aims to deepen your understanding of one of the most distinctive elements of human life - our shared ability to express our thoughts in natural language. In this course, you'll begin get to grips with some of the fundamental questions such as: What is the nature of meaning? Is genuine communication ever possible? How is linguistic creativity possible? It will provide a reflective introduction to some of the key theoretical concepts currently employed in explaining the fundamental nature of human language.

Continental Philosophy (20 credits) - In this module you’ll gain critical awareness of the importance of 19th century and 20th century existentialism and phenomenology for the wider history of philosophy. You’ll debate the relevance of key themes in existentialism and phenomenology for other branches of study in philosophy, such as ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, philosophy of religion and political philosophy.

Free Will (20 credits) - This specialist research module allows you to delve into philosophical themes, debates and ideas around the issue of free will.

Bioethics (20 credits) - This advanced level module allows you to delve into the applied ethics of issues in biomedicine and biomedical research.

Philosophy of Love (20 credits) - This specialist research module allows you to delve into philosophical themes, debates and ideas around love and intimate relationships.

Ancient philosophy (20 credits) - This module will critically examine some of the main ideas in the work of Plato and Aristotle. Themes may include selected topics from, for example, their approach to methodological, epistemological and metaphysical questions, and their views in philosophy of mind and action, ethics, political philosophy.

Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art (20 credits) - This specialist research module examines philosophical issues concerning the nature and values of art, aesthetic appreciation, the nature of aesthetic knowledge and justification.

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

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

A-level: AAB

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 and grade A in the EPQ.

Alternative qualification

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 an alternative 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 alternative admissions.

BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds, or BBC at A Level and A in a relevant EPQ and pass Access to Leeds.

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.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £24,500 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 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 international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.

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 about additional costs.

Scholarships and 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.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

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 Taught Admissions Policy 2024

This course is taught by

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science

Contact us

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Admissions

Email: artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons University of Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers. We embed employability skills training and advice into key modules, including your Final Year Project, to enhance your student employability options.

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 at the Careers website.

Specialised online platforms, such as Leeds PebblePad, offer you a unique tailored resource to help you build up a useful record of skills and expertise, ready to launch you into the workplace.

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.

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