Skip to content
I'm looking for...
Courses Research People Something else
Prefer to see our subject areas?
Browse courses by subject
Looking for funded postgraduate opportunities?
View doctoral training partnerships Browse postgraduate research opportunities
We are different and we are the same. #WeAreEssex
Looking for student or staff information?
Student Directory Staff Directory
Courses
Prefer to see our subject areas?
Browse courses by subject
Research
Looking for funded postgraduate opportunities?
View doctoral training partnerships Browse postgraduate research opportunities
People
We are different and we are the same. #WeAreEssex
Something else
Looking for student or staff information?
Student Directory Staff Directory
University of Essex homepage Course Finder Linguistics
Linguistics

Linguistics

Sign up for Clearing guidance
man wearing headphones speaking into microphone
Undergraduate Masters Research

Discover linguistics undergraduate degrees

You understand language as more than simply a means of communication. You appreciate how a society is shaped by the language of its people. At Essex we will help you explore not only how language is acquired, but also how it is used in contexts such as the media, the marketplace, courtrooms and conversations. From catching up over a coffee to settling global debates, language is one of humanity’s most powerful tools – we will help you understand it. 

Why choose Essex?
  • We are 1st in the UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021)
  • 92% of our Languages and Linguistics postgraduate graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024)
  • You can choose to combine your study of linguistics with other specialisms such as learning a language, data science, or gaining a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Flags hanging in the street from different nationalities, representing all the languages you can learn at the University of Essex.
Visit the Department of Language and Linguistics

Discover what it's like to study linguistics at the University of Essex. Meet the experts and discover more about life as an undergraduate in this welcoming Department.

Visit the Department of Language and Linguistics
Join our next open day
Learn more about upcoming open days at the University of Essex and book your place.
Visit us virtually
Visit the University of Essex online, explore our accommodation and learn more about life at Essex.
Apply to Essex
Find out how to apply to Essex and discover helpful resources to support your application.
If you like linguistics, you might also like:
English language
English language teaching
Modern languages
Translation and interpreting

Explore postgraduate linguistics degrees at Essex

Through language we transmit knowledge and communicate with society, from inviting someone for a coffee to settling global political disputes, language is vital.

We are one of the largest language and linguistics departments in the UK, a place where talented students become part of an academic community that undertakes world-leading research. All of our linguistics courses offer expertise and insight, and learn analytical and practical skills that will serve you well throughout life.

Why choose Essex?
  • You are taught by lecturers internationally recognised for their language research.
  • Top 25 in the UK for linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
  • We offer a wide range of specialisations – study applied linguistics, theoretical linguistics, sociolinguistics or psycholinguistics with us.

The Department of Language and Linguistics

Learn more about postgraduate linguistics degrees at Essex Discover career prospects for graduates of the Department of Language and Linguistics

Resources for linguists at Essex

Visit Babylab, a laboratory dedicated to studying how infants and children learn and develop Visit ESSEXLAB, a pioneering behavioural and social science laboratory at the University of Essex Discover more facilities in the Department of Language and Linguistics
University of Essex Graduate Alumni
Learn more about postgraduate fees, funding and scholarships

Find a scholarship, discover postgraduate funding opportunities and learn more about the fee structure for postgraduate students at Essex.

Learn more about postgraduate fees and funding
Join an open day
Learn more about upcoming open days at the University of Essex and book your place.
Visit us virtually
Visit the University of Essex online, explore our accommodation and learn more about life at Essex.
Apply to Essex
Find out how to apply to Essex and discover helpful resources to support your application.

Find linguistics research degrees

We have a large and thriving graduate research community. We provide an active and stimulating environment to carry out your doctoral research and offer six routes to a research degree.

Why research here?
  • You are taught by lecturers internationally recognised for their language research
  • Top 25 in the UK for linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
  • We offer a wide range of specialisations – study applied linguistics, theoretical linguistics, sociolinguistics or psycholinguistics with us

Find your academic supervisor

Search our staff profiles and discover the researchers open to academic supervision at the University of Essex.

A pair of glasses resting on top of an open notebook.
Learn more about fees, funding and scholarships for research students

Find a scholarship, discover funding opportunities and learn more about the fee structure for research students at Essex.

Learn more about fees and funding for research students

Visit the Department of Language and Linguistics

Learn more about linguistics research degrees at Essex Explore research from the Department of Language and Linguistics

Resources for linguists at Essex

Visit Babylab, a laboratory dedicated to studying how infants and children learn and develop Visit ESSEXLAB, a pioneering behavioural and social science laboratory at the University of Essex Discover more facilities in the Department of Language and Linguistics

Our research clusters

African Languages Early Language Development English Language Teaching Experimental Linguistics Language Decline Attrition Ageing and Impairments

Language Policy and Multilingualism Language Variation, Identity and Interaction Linguistic Diversity and Theoretical Linguistics Second Language Learning and Teaching

Our centres and networks

Visit the Centre for Language Development throughout the Lifespan Discover the Bilingualism Matters research network Explore the Research in Primary Languages research network
Join an open day
Learn more about upcoming open days at the University of Essex and book your place.
Apply to Essex
Find out how to apply to Essex and discover helpful resources to support your application.
Visit us virtually
Visit the University of Essex online, explore our accommodation and learn more about life at Essex.
A student walking on campus at the University of Essex.
Ready to learn more?

Sign up to emails and discover what it's like to live and study at Essex.

Sign up
Life at Essex
What it's like to live at Essex
Accommodation
Find your new home
Open Days
Come see for yourself
WE ARE
ESSEX ARE YOU?
Sign up for a prospectus Get to know Essex
STUDY
Find a course
LIFE
RESEARCH
EXPLORE
CONTACT US
Contact


  • +44 (0) 1206 873333
  • University of Essex
  • Wivenhoe Park
  • Colchester CO4 3SQ

 

 

CONNECT WITH US
© 2025 University of Essex. All rights reserved