English Language and Linguistics BA
Year of entry 2023
- UCAS code
- Q3Q1
- Start date
- September 2023
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Work placement
- Optional
- Study abroad
- Optional
- Typical A-level offer
- AAB (specific subject requirements)
- Typical Access to Leeds offer
- BBB at A Level including B in English and pass Access to Leeds
Full entry requirements - Contact
- undergrad-english@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Study linguistics in the context of the English language and develop a deep understanding of the way humans communicate with each other.
Core 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. But 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 a linguistics and phonetics 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 at our libraries:
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.
In your first year, you’ll study core 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.
You’ll then be able to build on that knowledge in the following year, when 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.
By your final year, 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.
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
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Key Concepts of English Language Study: One | 20 |
| Key Concepts of English Language Study: Two | 20 |
| Language: Meaning and Use | 20 |
| Key Skills in Linguistics | 20 |
| Language: Structure and Sound | 20 |
Year 2 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Power of Language | 20 |
| Language in Society | 20 |
| Phonetics | 20 |
| Syntax | 20 |
Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Remixing the Renaissance | 20 |
| Style and Authorship | 20 |
| Dialect and Heritage | 20 |
| Prose Fiction Stylistics and the Mind | 20 |
| Crime Fiction Stylistics: Crossing Languages, Cultures, Media | 20 |
| Language of the Media | 20 |
| Towards the Future: Skills in Context | 20 |
| Psycholinguistics | 20 |
| The Life Cycle of Languages | 20 |
| Representation, Identity and Control | 20 |
| Language and Gender | 20 |
| Language Acquisition | 20 |
| Language Change | 20 |
| Interactional Linguistics | 20 |
| Global Environmental Humanities | 20 |
Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| English Language Dissertation | 40 |
| Digital Englishes | 20 |
| Prose Fiction Stylistics and the Mind | 20 |
| Crime Fiction Stylistics: Crossing Languages, Cultures, Media | 20 |
| Trial Discourse - The Proceedings of the Old Bailey 1674 - 1913 | 20 |
| The Politics of Language | 20 |
| `Global English?: Colonialism, Postcolonialism, and Decolonisation | 20 |
| Languages in Contact | 20 |
| Syntactic Theory | 20 |
| Language and Gender | 20 |
| Language and Gender | 20 |
| Language Acquisition | 20 |
| Linguistics Dissertation | 40 |
| Representation, Identity and Control | 20 |
| The Life Cycle of Languages | 20 |
| Language Change | 20 |
| Interactional Linguistics | 20 |
| Language Processing | 20 |
| Sociophonetics | 20 |
| Social Movements across Cultures | 20 |
| Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present | 20 |
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
We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods so you can make the most of our tutors’ knowledge and experience. Lectures, seminars and tutorials are all part of the mix and in some cases workshops may also be involved.
However, we attach a lot of importance to building your research and critical skills, so independent study is also an important part of the degree. Support is on hand, and the University Library offers training programmes to help you get the best from our excellent library 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 various types of assessment, including essays, exams, research projects and analysis tasks. In some modules you may also be assessed on components such as group work or oral presentations. We offer training on key skills such as structuring essays, public speaking, and exam technique that you’ll be able to attend throughout your time at Leeds.
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.
Alternative qualification
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.
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.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M2 including D3 in English.
International Baccalaureate
35 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 in English at Higher Level.
Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including H2 in English
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.
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: 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 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.
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.
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: £22,250 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2022/23
For UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 the fee will be £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students for 2023/24 have been agreed by the UK Government and will remain at the current fee level of £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 should be available on individual course pages from September 2022.
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.
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 Taught Admissions Policy 2023
This course is taught by
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
School of English
Contact us
School of English Undergraduate Admissions
Email: undergrad-english@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Career opportunities
A degree in English Language and Linguistics equips you with valuable skills for a range of careers. You will have used both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and developed a varied set of skills across arts-based and scientific disciplines.
You’ll be able to study and analyse different types of data, including qualititative and quantitative, and use technology to solve problems. You’ll have an advanced understanding of communication and strong research skills, while you’ll be able to think critically about the information you find. What’s more, because you’ve managed two subjects during your degree, you’ll have good organisational and time management skills.
As a result, graduates have pursued a wide range of careers including publishing, law, advertising and marketing, journalism, education, charity work and business and finance. Many also move into postgraduate study, including further training for careers in roles such as teaching or speech and language therapy.
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.
You can read more about the range of careers our English Language and Linguistics graduates progress into, as well as the support we offer you throughout your degree.
Careers support
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 at the Careers website.
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.