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University of Essex homepage Departments Language and Linguistics Undergraduate
Department of Language and Linguistics

Undergraduate study

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Get ready to explore language and linguistics

Are you fascinated by words and speech, or how and why we communicate the way we do? Discover our career-focused range of courses created to help you flourish in an increasingly interconnected world.

Like us, you understand that language touches everything we do - from defining our cultural identity to shaping our personalities, thoughts, and emotions. A world without language would be unrecognisable.

So, if you want to deepen your understanding of communication and shape your connection to others and the world, we welcome you.


Explore our undergraduate courses

Studying language is more than you think

Studying language or linguistics can open the door to a world of possibilities and a broad range of fascinating careers. At Essex, we don't simply ask you to choose between French or Spanish - we want you to start imagining your future from day one of your degree. 

That's why we have collated our courses into three areas of expertise from which you can choose. Let us introduce you to three fascinating applications for your studies, and discover how a degree from the Department of Language and Linguistics can shape your future.

Where will your degree take you?
Language, Communication and Technology Language, Learning and Teaching Language, Psychology and Society
Language, Communication and Technology

You will be fascinated by Language, Learning and Teaching if...

  • You are keen to find out how language works and how we learn language

  • You are passionate about experiencing new ideas and cultures whilst understanding and helping others

  • You are considering a career teaching a language in the UK or abroad

You will love Language, Communication and Technology if...

  • You want to understand how people communicate in their everyday lives and how technology helps us do this
  • You are passionate about how we use language to achieve outcomes
  • You are considering a career in media, mediation, communication, advertising or technology

You will be captivated by Language, Psychology and Society if...

  • You are passionate about how our brains process language and how this shapes and informs what we do and how we do it
  • You want to understand and help others to express themselves
  • You are considering a career as a speech and language therapist
Language, Communication and Technology
Language, Learning and Teaching
Language, Psychology and Society

Discover the Department of Language & Linguistics:

Are you ready to join the next generation of communicators, mediators, researchers and language technologists?

You probably see the world a little differently - and so do we! If you love working with puzzles, cracking codes and identifying patterns where others wouldn't think to look, you will feel at home with us.

We welcome you to join a caring and kind community for like-minded and creative individuals who share our fascination for language and a desire to make a difference.

Ignazia Posadinu, Director of Education in the Department of Language and Linguistics at the University of Essex.
"When you step into our Department, you will find a caring and supportive home. As pioneers of our families' University journeys, we treasure nurturing young potential. We eagerly await your arrival to our diverse and international community."
Ignazia Posadinu Director of Undergraduate Studes Department of Langauge and Linguistics
Frederik Rajkovic, a student of the Department of Language and Linguistics at the University of Essex.
"Essex fulfilled my expectations as a student and definitely opened multiple horizons. The Department of Languages and Linguistics helped me to discover current world affairs, learn two languages, spend a month abroad in Europe and set up a language learning project. I am looking forward to utilising my new skills in public service and international affairs."
Frederik Rajkovic, BA European Studies and Language Studies DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS
A student walking on campus at the University of Essex.
Want to learn even more languages?

Learn more language alongside your degree at no extra cost with our award-winning Languages For All (LFA) programme. Choose from Arabic, British Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian or Spanish!

Learn more about LFA
Grace Harrex, graduate of the Department of Language and Linguistics at the University of Essex.
"Uni helped me discover my goal. Before I graduated I found myself in a translation role. I attribute this to the life experience and support I received from this Department - the year abroad, the constant support and the close teacher-student relationship gave me much more than just a degree."
Grace Harrex, BA Italian Studies and Modern Languages DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS
Why choose Essex?
  • We are 11th in the UK for linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
  • We are one of the founding Departments of the University of Essex, dating back to 1964. During the last 60 years, we have attracted, and continue to attract, some of the most brilliant minds working in language and linguistics.
  • If the University were to host a talent competition, we would crush it. We have some of the best cooks and musicians, and our students are the most creative (but shhh - don't tell the other Departments we said that!)
Annie Mair Martin Hardwicke, a masters student in the Department of Language an Linguistics at the University of Essex.
"Language and Linguistics have helped me develop a skill set and a quality of work I didn't know I was capable of. The Department is really friendly, and all my lecturers have been there when I've needed them. I hope to come back to Essex to get my PhD in the field of conversation analysis."
Annie Mai Martin Hardwicke, MA Language and Literature DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS
A student using his phone to contact the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies at Essex.
Talk to us

We're always on hand to answer your questions! Drop us an email and we'll do everything we can to help. No time to email? No worries, just sign up and we'll send info straight to your inbox.

Email the Department Sign up to hear more
Stamatia Savvani, a research student in the Department of Language and Linguistics at the University of Essex.
"The Department of Language and Linguistics is like my intellectual family; a place and people that gave me the tools to strengthen my voice, be bold, and pursue research paths that to some would be too risky to take."
Stamatia Savvani, PhD in Applied Linguistics Department of Language and Linguistics
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Department of Language and Linguistics Undergraduate Enquiries  University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ
Department of Language and Linguistics Postgraduate Enquiries  University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ
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