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: Structure and Sound (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the scientific study of language structure and speech sounds 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.

Language: Meaning and Use (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the scientific study of language processing, language development, and language use in a range of social and communicative settings.

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options)

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.

Languages of the World (20 credits) – In this project-based module you’ll examine varieties of English and various other languages. You’ll develop key transferable skills as well as discipline-specific language analysis skills.

Year 2 compulsory modules

Phonetics (20 credits) - This module looks at how the vocal mechanism works to produce the sounds we observe in languages. You’ll learn how to use the International Phonetic Alphabet and take basic acoustic measurements using specialist software.

Syntax (20 credits) - This module introduces you to principles of syntactic theory and trains you to carry out basic practical syntactic analysis of language material. The module develops your ability to build scientific arguments.

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options)

Psycholinguistics (20 credits) - This module focuses on innateness and the biological basis for language and language acquisition.

The Life Cycle of Languages (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the major issues concerning language origins, diversity, endangerment and death.

Interactional Linguistics (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the study of language as it is used in verbal interaction.

Do the Right Thing: Topics in Moral Philosophy (20 credits) - This module offers an intermediate level exploration of some of the central concepts, issues, theories, and debates in moral philosophy.

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.

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 issues concerning human knowledge and beliefs.

Year 3 compulsory module

Dissertation (40 credits) - You’ll carry out and report on a piece of original research in linguistics or philosophy, guided by a supervisor. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of a specific area of your own choice, and many transferable research skills.

Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options)

Languages in Contact (20 credits) - This module develops a set of critical and 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.

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.

Sociophonetics (20 credits) - This module introduces you to the main social variables that condition pronunciation variation in English and other languages.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Alternative Entry Scheme for Mature Students

If you are a mature applicant (over 21) and you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE English and maths qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay.

Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre for more information. lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk

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.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
The fee for UK undergraduate students is decided by the Government and may vary if policy changes. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 will be £9,535.

The tuition fee for the following programmes with an integrated foundation year is £5,760 for the foundation year, and £9,535 for subsequent years of study:
•    Business Studies with Foundation Year BSC
•    Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA
•    Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education BA
•    Social Science (foundation year) BA
 

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2025/26 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 on our living costs and budgeting page.

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.

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

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.

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.