BA English Language and Linguistics

This degree is designed to give you a solid foundation in linguistic theory, and to link this theory to the huge array of real-life contexts in which language is used. Our mix of core and optional modules means that you will have the freedom to design the course that suits you, building on the topics that most capture your imagination.

In your first year, you take modules that encompass the fundamentals of linguistic research: linguistic theory, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, and research methodology. Our modules focusing on linguistic theory and the structure and sounds of English will allow you to learn about how language actually works and how linguists study it. You’ll then apply this knowledge to modules that examine the history and varieties of English, teaching you about how language varies in space and time.

How you choose to build on this foundation throughout the remainder of your degree is up to you: expand on any (or all) of these four areas, and take modules from the other degree programmes within the department or from across the University.

In second year, you will have the chance to study modules in formal linguistics such as phonetics and syntax, as well as modules that deal with the history of language and linguistic thought, language and society, and how language is acquired and taught.

Your third year will allow you to further specialise your interests in topics that inspire you. You’ll have the opportunity to continue your interest in formal linguistics by developing your thinking about language and the mind. You can build on your passion for the history of English by learning about the latest thinking on the development of the language. Your interests in language and society can be developed as you take modules exploring the relationship between language and gender, discourse, and place.

Because language is used in every facet of human life, linguistics links to every other field of study. As well as taking an extensive range of optional modules available within the School of English – such as literary linguistics, language teaching pedagogy, and creative writing – you can combine linguistics with other modules from across the University, including in human communication sciences, psychology, modern languages, computer science and mathematics.

Modules

Over the course of each academic year at Sheffield, you will need to study modules that equate to the value of 120 credits. Some of these credits will be taken up by our core modules, which are designed to give you the breadth of knowledge and ways of thinking necessary to the degree being awarded.

For your remaining credits, you will be able to choose from an extensive range of optional modules, allowing you to shape your degree to the topics that interest you.

The modules listed below are examples from the last academic year.

In the first year, students will take five core modules, worth a combined total of 80 credits, that cover material from four important sub-areas of linguistics: understanding speech sounds, words, sentences and meaning; language use and variation; historical linguistics; and theoretical linguistic structure. A grounding in research methods is embedded throughout all of your core modules.

The remaining 40 credits can either be used on modules from the list of optional linguistics modules listed below, which are all 20 credits. Alternatively, the remaining 40 credits can be used on other optional modules elsewhere in the School of English, listed below.

Having developed the core skills in your first year, you are given the freedom to choose from a wide selection of modules in your second year. There are no core module requirements.

In your third year, you are again given the freedom to choose from a wide selection of optional modules. There are no core module requirements.

You will also be given the opportunity to undertake an independent research project, which can be written up as a dissertation. This is an optional component of our degree programme and those who choose to do a dissertation find that the organisational skills it requires serve them well in their future careers.

Entry requirements

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB

A Levels + additional qualifications ABB + B in the EPQ

International Baccalaureate 34

BTEC Extended Diploma DDD in a relevant subject

Scottish Highers AAAAB

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + AA

Access to HE Diploma 60 credits overall in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit

Other requirements

• Evidence of interest in language and linguistics, demonstrated through a personal statement is also required

English language requirements | 

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

Fees and funding

Fees

Applications for places on courses starting the following September (except Medicine and Dentistry) should be submitted to UCAS between:

• 1 September and 25 January to be guaranteed equal consideration with other applicants
• 26 January and 30 June for further consideration, although we may not be able to consider your application if all the places on the course you’ve applied for have been filled

Applications for places on Medicine and Dentistry courses must be submitted between 1 September and 15 October.