.png?mw=300)
Undergraduate Course
BA (Hons) Language Studies and Linguistics
Overview
The details
Language Studies and Linguistics
R114
October 2026
Full-time
What is BA Language Studies and Linguistics?
BA Language Studies and Linguistics is a three-year degree, with opportunities to study abroad, taught at our Colchester campus.
This course combines the scientific study of language with the practical experience of learning and using another language. You'll explore how language works, how it shapes human communication and identity, and develop advanced proficiency in one or more modern languages.
Why this course
Language is central to human interaction, thought, and culture. Studying linguistics enhances our understanding of communication and provides insight into fundamental questions about how people learn, process, and use language.
Linguistics is an increasingly important discipline with connections to psychology, philosophy, education, and artificial intelligence. It also has practical applications in areas such as human rights, language learning technologies, and the analysis of communication in healthcare, legal, and professional settings.
This course offers the best of both worlds: a rigorous grounding in linguistic theory and analysis alongside the opportunity to achieve advanced proficiency in up to two modern languages. You'll graduate with a distinctive combination of analytical, cultural, and language skills that are highly valued by employers.
Who should apply
- Students fascinated by language, communication, and human behaviour
- Those who want to combine linguistic theory with practical language learning
- Learners interested in global cultures, multilingualism, and intercultural communication
- Anyone seeking a degree with both academic depth and strong career relevance
What you’ll learn
- Core linguistics: Study phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics
- Language and society: Explore topics such as multilingualism, language, identity and gender
- Language and cognition: Investigate language impairment, language acquisition, and the relationship between language and the mind
- Meaning and communication: Analyse metaphor, irony, style, and other aspects of language use
- Modern languages: Develop advanced proficiency in up to two languages from French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese
Your learning experience
- Interdisciplinary study: Combine theoretical linguistics with practical language learning
- Flexible language choices: Study up to two modern languages and complete at least one to Proficiency level
- Specialist modules: Explore topics including American Languages, multilingualism, language impairment, and language and identity
- Summer language opportunities: Students starting a language from scratch via the intensive route can access a month-long summer course with fees paid by the University
- Research-led teaching: Learn from academics in a department recognised for world-leading research impact
Careers and outcomes
A BA Language Studies and Linguistics develops a combination of analytical, linguistic, and intercultural skills that are valued across a wide range of professions:
- International business: Applying language expertise in multinational organisations and global markets
- Education and language teaching: Supporting language learning and communication development
- Translation and language services: Facilitating communication across languages and cultures
- Technology and language industries: Contributing to language technologies, AI, and digital communication
- Research and public sector roles: Using linguistic analysis to understand communication, behaviour, and society
You'll graduate with near-fluent language skills, a sophisticated understanding of language and communication, and the global outlook needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
Employers of graduates from this course
Graduates from this course have progressed into careers across a range of sectors, including:
- International businesses and multinational organisations
- Education and language-learning providers
- Translation and language service companies
- Technology and digital communication organisations
- Public sector, research, and international organisations
Why we're great.
- Great flexibility and choice: You can study up to two languages choosing between French, German, Portuguese*, Italian and Spanish from beginner or post-A level.
- We’re in the top 200 globally for linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- You will combine practical language study to a high level with a current, relevant academic discipline.
Our expert staff
Our staff are internationally renowned. Their books are often found as key texts on reading lists at other universities and are used as the basis of our teaching in the Department. All our language teachers are native or bilingual speakers, we maintain excellent student-staff ratios, and we language learning is integrated with linguistics in this joint course.
In addition to helping you acquire practical foreign language skills, our staff share their expertise with you in the areas of professional translation, interpreting and subtitling, film and art, business, and culture.
Specialist facilities
- A Conference Interpreting lab for training and hosting students interpreting conferences
- An exciting programme of research seminars and other events
- Our Albert Sloman Library houses a strong collection of books, journals, electronic resources and major archives
- Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost
Your future
Companies and organisations in the UK and abroad are struggling to find university graduates who are fluent in at least one other language, apart from English.
Being an Essex modern languages graduate places you in a very advantageous position. You will be able to speak and write fluently, or to a very competent standard, in up to two languages.
Our graduates go on to become teachers, translators, administrators and journalists amongst other jobs. The language skills they acquire enable them to work in diverse fields including banking, entertainment, media, education and tourism, as well as for a host of UK and international companies.
For example, one of our recent graduates is now a newspaper editor in Spain, while another teaches modern languages in Southampton.
We also work with the University's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.
Course content
Course structure
The nature of this course is such that your individual programme will differ depending upon your pre-existing language qualifications/ the language(s) you choose to study during your course. Below is just one example structure from the current academic year of a combination of modules you could take.
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore all modules listed are subject to change. To view the compulsory modules and full list of optional modules currently on offer, please view the programme specification.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components and modules explained
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
Fundamentals of the Human Speech System
(15 CREDITS)
This module introduces you to the production of language sounds and their distribution in words, in particular, but not exclusively, in English. You will study the basic principles of phonology and develop the knowledge required to understand and begin to analyse sound systems. You will also discuss phonological processes and investigate the context and motivation of occurrence.
View Fundamentals of the Human Speech System on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
Words and Sentences
(15 CREDITS)
Discover how to describe and analyse the structure of words, phrases, and sentences in this introductory half module. With topics including the English parts of speech, word structure and the distinction between inflection, derivation and compounding, and the identification of phrases, you will gain a solid grasp of the foundational material for the study of English linguistics, whilst developing useful analytical skills.
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
Introduction to the Study of Language
(15 CREDITS)
COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY
Foundations of Sociolinguistics
(15 CREDITS)
Discover the role of variation in language systems, and learn the techniques and concepts needed to study the way language varies. You will look at geographical, social and historical dialects, explore language myths, and cover topics such as measuring language variation, social patterns and functions of language variation, speaker variables, and the relationship of language variation to language change. At the end of this module, you will have gained a clear understanding of the role variation plays in language systems, and will be able to look critically at the social functions and values of dialects and vernacular language usage.
View Foundations of Sociolinguistics on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 05: OPTIONAL
Language (Intermediate or above) or Intensive Beginners Part I & II
(30 CREDITS)
COMPONENT 06: OPTIONAL
Language (Beginners to Post A-Level) or Intensive Beginners Part I & II
(30 CREDITS)
COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY
Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics
(0 CREDITS)
What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market.
View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
Research methods for language and linguistics
(15 CREDITS)
Discover the steps involved in undertaking a research project in language and linguistics and develop your own final-year project. Topics include: Reviewing literature; Formulating research questions and hypotheses; Choosing a suitable research design; Data collection; Analysis techniques; Reporting findings. You will learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars and lab sessions to build your knowledge, skills, and confidence in researching, structuring, and writing a research project.
View Research methods for language and linguistics on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY
Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics
(0 CREDITS)
What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market.
View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
Project: Linguistics
(30 CREDITS)
What fascinates you about linguistics? Work independently on an extended project of your choosing within linguistics, with supervision from our expert staff. Build your subject knowledge, as well as your research skills and project management abilities.
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
World Language Structures
(15 CREDITS)
This module explores syntax from a cross-linguistic perspective and provides students with a deeper understanding of syntactic variation. We examine key concepts of grammatical organization as it is exhibited in the languages of the world. We look at syntactic variation, as well as the limits which seem to operate on this variation. We will explore a number of categories and concepts which are challenged when data from a broader range of languages is taken into consideration.
COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY
Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics
(0 CREDITS)
What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market.
View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory
Teaching
Undergraduate students studying English Language and Linguistics modules would typically attend a two-hour teaching event for each module every week. Seminars would usually have about 20 students.
Undergraduate students studying Modern Languages modules would typically involve two to three hours of classes per week (but note that the intensive language modules would involve four to five hours of classes per week). Classes usually contain up to 20 students within each group.
Assessment
- Assessment is by a combination of coursework (assignments, essays, presentations and tests) and end-of-year examinations
- Other assessment methods include quizzes, presentations, portfolios, group work, and projects
Entry requirements
Clearing entry requirements
We currently have places available in Clearing across a range of our courses with most offers expected to be made at CCD - CDD (88 - 80 UCAS tariff points) or equivalent. A complete breakdown of expected Clearing entry requirements, by course, is available on our Clearing entry requirements page.
We consider each application individually and requirements may be lower for some of our courses, so please still get in touch if your grades are below those outlined.
English language requirements
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£9,790 per year
International fee
£21,500 per year
Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:
Placement year
20% of your standard tuition fee for that year
Study abroad
Full year abroad
15% of your standard tuition fee for that year
Single term abroad
Standard tuition fee
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
How to apply during Clearing
Once you’ve checked that we have the right course for you, applying couldn’t be simpler. Fill in our quick and easy Clearing application form with as much detail as you can. We’ll then take a look and get back to you with a decision.
If you already hold an offer from Essex
Please don't reapply through Clearing. We'll review your existing application using our Clearing entry requirements. If you're worried about meeting your offer or would like to change course, please contact our Admissions Team on ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
Interviews
We don’t require an interview for most of our courses that are available through Clearing, however there are some courses such as those in our School of Health and Social Care and East 15 Acting School where an interview (or audition) may be required. If this is something that’s required for the course you have applied for, we’ll email you with all of the details.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
Ask us a question
Want to quiz us about your course? Got a question that just needs answering? Get in touch with us on live chat!
