Undergraduate study

In the Department of Language and Linguistics, we'll provide you with the encouragement and support you need to achieve your academic goals. We offer a range of structures and initiatives to help you excel at every opportunity. They include:

Your course structure, module choice, and teaching time:

Your teaching time and course structure depend on your course and module choice and will vary throughout your studies. All classes in the Department are between 9 am and 6 pm from Monday to Friday. Modules will typically have 2 to 5 contact hours per week. Linguistic modules usually include 2 contact hours per week, and language modules typically have between 2 and 5 contact hours.

Languages For All:

All students at the University of Essex have the chance to learn a language in the first year of study - at no extra cost! Languages For All allows you to choose from Arabic, British Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Spanish.

Study Abroad:

Learning a language and understanding linguistics is much more than a theoretical exercise. We want you to immerse yourself in language and culture, so we encourage you to explore our Study Abroad programme.

You will have the opportunity to live, work, and study abroad. You can study in a wide range of partner institutions across the world. Previous students have studied in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Q-Step:

Language and linguistics students sometimes use large data sets to observe and analyse linguistic patterns in space, time, and cultural contexts. If this sounds like a skill you want to develop, you can gain a Q-Step award. This award is only available to select Departments within the University, including the Department of Language and Linguistics.

Dedicated personal tutors:

When you join the Department, you will be assigned a personal tutor who is available to you throughout your undergraduate degree. Your tutor will meet with you regularly during the academic year to discuss your progress, provide guidance and support, and help you achieve your goals.  You can meet with your tutor in person or remotely, in a group setting, or individually - whichever suits you best!

Extra academic support hours:

In the Department of Language and Linguistics, we have an open-door policy, which enables you to access extra academic support from any of our teaching staff throughout your studies. So, if you develop a fascination for psycholinguistics or a passion for researching regional accents, you can request a meeting with an expert staff member. They can help further your knowledge and share their research expertise with you.

Wider University support for your studies:

The University has a dedicated collection of online and in-person resources to help bolster your study skills. Whether you need help with your writing, assistance with research skills, or English language support, the Skills for Success team will be on hand to help you.

We provide the practical support and skills you need to launch a successful career. We host a range of initiatives to help you achieve your career goals. They include:

Career modules:

Each undergraduate course includes a grounded career module to help you envision your fullest career potential. With a world of possibilities open to graduates of language and linguistics, we'll give you the clarity and confidence to plan your best career path. Our career-focused modules will provide practical tips and tricks to prepare you for life after graduation, the job market, interviews, career progression, and more.

Graduate talks:

We love to keep in touch with our previous students, many of whom now have incredible career stories to tell. That's why we host regular talks by our graduates as they share their journey with you.

Our graduate talks have showcased speakers from diverse industries, including:

• Data Linguist, Amazon
• Internal Communications Manager, Architas AXA Wealth
• USA Desk Officer, Home Office
• Commissioning Editor, Cambridge University Press & Assessment
• Service Manager for children with disabilities, Surrey County Council
• Translation Project Manager, Dixon Associates
• Minister-Counsellor for Economic Affairs, British Embassy Warsaw
• Public Relations and Marketing Internship, Michael Kors

Placements and internship opportunities:

Work experience can make the difference between a successful job interview and an unsuccessful one. We offer many placement and internship opportunities so you can graduate with confidence in readiness for your first interview.

Our students have previously completed successful placements in a range of roles and settings, including:

• Teaching Assistant, London-based Primary School
• Media Communication Officer, Children’s Hospice
• English Language Assistant, British Council
• Translation Assistant, Translation Agency

University career support for life:

When you join the University of Essex, you can access bespoke career support throughout your studies. From crafting the perfect C.V. to making your first LinkedIn profile, the Career Service will coach and advise you.

The support does not end after you graduate - you can access the Careers Service for the rest of your life post-graduation.

The Department of Language and Linguistics has been a hub for ground-breaking language and linguistics research since the 1960s. Our longstanding record ensures your teachers are respected and renowned subject matter experts.

Our expertise and knowledge are often called upon to advise and inform a wide range of public services, businesses, and international organisations, such as:

• Textbooks and language curriculum in schools
• Translation and Interpreting for professional organisations and public services such as the NHS
• Accent bias training sessions for LinkedIn
• Advising United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on languages in the world 
• Advising the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on education policy and strategy

Our staff often feature in high-profile media outlets and have published many fascinating articles, including:

• Has Meghan's accent changed since marrying Prince Harry? BBC News
• Cockney and King's English becoming less common, BBC News
• Essex and London accents deemed less intelligent, BBC News
• Is it a case of ‘the younger, the better’ for children learning a new language? The Conversation

The Department of Language and Linguistics is a vibrant and linguistically diverse community. Our members come from across the world to study, teach, and research here. With many countries represented and over 20 spoken languages, we provide a welcoming home to all.

To support the diverse needs of our community, we provide a range of resources, including:

Dedicated support for students in the Department:

Our friendly professional services team is your first point of contact for any Department or course-related query. You can meet them online or via face-to-face appointments. They offer practical support and guidance for all students, including extenuating circumstances and managing your record of achievement, enrolment, and admissions. They can also signpost you to extra support services at the University should you need to access them.

Resources for international students:

To support our international students, we provide a bespoke range of services. They include help with visas, fees and funding, language support classes, and more. The University of Essex is also home to a wide range of student union societies, many of which are country-specific. Our international community will help you make friends and feel at home.

University student support:

The University of Essex provides a range of support via the Student Services Hub. Whether you need help accessing healthcare, support with your mental health, or you are worried about finances, we have a team ready to assist you.

The Department of Language and Linguistics is fun to study and socialise in. We encourage our students to embrace the student experience fully. We host a range of extracurricular events for you to enjoy. These include:

Languages Café:

The Languages Café is an informal conversation session hosted in French, Italian, German, Spanish, or Portuguese. Sessions are hosted by students, for students. You can play games, join in language activities, and enjoy drinks and snacks while you practice your conversation skills.

Student conferences:

The Department hosts multiple conferences throughout the academic year. These public and prestigious events feature students and academics as they discuss and present their work publicly. Undergraduate students are welcome to attend, give presentations, and even help to organise these events.

Department events:

The Department of Language and Linguistics hosts numerous lively social and academic events. You can join us for informal gatherings with pizza or get involved in discussions on the latest insights from the field of language and linguistics.

A lively Student Union with a range of societies:

When you join the University of Essex, you become part of a lively Student Union with over 17,000 members! The Student Union hosts a packed calendar of social events, can provide support during your studies, and help you meet new friends. The Student Union also hosts numerous societies catering to all interests and communities.

University-organised events:

The University of Essex also hosts a busy calendar of social events, clubs, networks, and organisations to enjoy.

Excellent transport links to Colchester, London, and beyond:

The Colchester campus of the University of Essex is located just outside Colchester City the first capital city of Roman Britain. You can visit the Roman castle, the bustling shops, and the nightlife of Colchester.

London is a one-hour train ride from the Colchester campus. You can easily enjoy all the cultural experiences and employment opportunities the capital offers.

The University has excellent public transport links, including coach, bus, and train services, with access to international airports. We also offer a range of cycling and parking schemes.

Laboratories for language and linguistics experiments:

The Department of Language and Linguistics houses state-of-the-art facilities unique in the East of England. Businesses, students, and researchers use our facilities for everything from cutting-edge research to large-scale multilingual business conferences - and so can you!

For example, at the BabyLab, you can use eye-tracking technology to study how young children acquire language skills. Or you can use the multilingual conference facilities to practice your translation and interpreting skills, try the latest translation software, and use the interpreting booths.

An incredible University library for language and linguistics students:

The Albert Sloman Library provides students from the Department of Language and Linguistics with many study resources, including:

• A dedicated Liaison Librarian to help you find the library resources you need
• A subject guide to help you navigate language and linguistics material

The Spicer Library and TEFL Resource Room:

The Department has a dedicated space for language, linguistics, and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) research. Originally known as the Spicer Library and founded in 1982 by Professor Sam Spicer, a collection began with books purchased and donated by Professor Sam Spicer himself.

Since the 1980s, the Spicer Library & TEFL Resource Room has grown into a fascinating space reserved for students of languages and linguistics. Today, the library functions as a self-study space for students of the Department and contains many resources for Teaching English as a Foreign Language students.

Fantastic campus facilities:

When you become a student at the University of Essex, you can access a wide range of campus facilities, including:

• A first-class gym with sports classes and team sports
• A media studio for making and editing professional films
• A campus cinema showcasing the latest blockbusters
• 200 acres of award-winning parkland to explore