Course overview

This three-year Linguistics BA Honours degree focuses on developing your understanding of how languages work, how we communicate, and the growth of language in the brain. You'll explore linguistics in the context of English language as well as modern foreign languages. You'll build a firm base of skills and knowledge to pursue many career paths. 

As well as studying a modern language, you'll also follow a cutting-edge degree programme shaped by the research specialisms of our world-leading staff. This ensures your studies explore the latest ideas and most exciting areas of linguistics, such as:

• computational linguistics
• language variation and change
• psycholinguistics
• theoretical linguistics

You'll become a confident and competent professional by learning about fundamental topics in linguistics, such as; phonetics, grammar and sound patterns and the social contexts in which languages are learnt. 

Download information about this course as a PDF

COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.

See our terms and conditions for more information

View our Frequently Asked Questions

Your course during COVID-19

Whilst things will not be the same when you join us in September, this course page is intended to give you insight into what to expect from your course and your learning experience for the duration of your degree.

We have updated all course information where there are specific changes in the first semester.

Facilities

Most of our student services are now available online. As COVID-19 restrictions lift, we'll be opening up our on-campus facilities as soon as it is safe to do so, so that you can get the best out of your studies.

Your learning experience

Your teaching will be a mixture of online and in-person on-campus teaching. In semester one, as a result of physical distancing requirements, all lecture materials will be delivered online along with many tutorials, workshops and labs.

Our aim, if Government guidance allows us, is to deliver up to three hours of labs, seminars and tutorial teaching in-person on campus where this is possible and safe to do so. We'll review this regularly and plan to return to full in-person, on-campus teaching in semester two if restrictions allow.

Assessment

In semester one, we will not be running face-to-face, on-campus examinations. We will instead use different approaches to assessment. These will test and support your learning.

Field trips

We will be running some but not all of our planned field trips. Some of those that do run, will be run virtually. For those that do not run, we will be offering alternative learning activities. These learning activities will give you the opportunity to achieve the same learning.

Terms and conditions and student complaints

The University has terms and conditions which create a positive environment for learning and academic achievement.

Further information

Our COVID-19 Study page gives more information about your Newcastle University 2020 study experience.

Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to the guidelines that may be in place at the time.

Quality and ranking

• 7th in the UK – The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020
• 94% overall student satisfaction score – National Student Survey 2019
• top 120 – Linguistics category – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020
• top 175 – Arts and Humanities category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2020

Teaching excellence

TEF Gold

A ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Your first year lays the foundation for analysing and describing language, focusing on topics such as word and sentence structure and general phonetics/phonology.

Alongside your Linguistics modules, you will also choose one foreign language from a choice of French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Latin or Ancient Greek.

You’ll have the option to study your chosen language at beginner or intermediate level, depending on your previous experience.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
The Nature of Language	20
Introduction to the Structure of Language 1: Syntax and Phonology	20
Introduction to the Structure of Language 2: Morphology and Meaning	20
Language Variation and Change: Dealing with Data	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Level B (HE Intermediate) French	20
Level B (HE Intermediate) German	20
Introduction to Linguistics	20
Level B (HE Intermediate) Spanish	20

You will develop your knowledge of core aspects of grammar and sound patterns and how these apply to a range of languages. You'll broaden your understanding of language study by exploring the social context in which languages are learned, used and developed over time.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Phonological Theory	20
Syntactic Theory	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Career Development for second year students	20
Developing Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Employability	20
Introduction to Child and Adult Language Acquisition	20
Sociolinguistics and the Sociology of Language	20
Contexts: Cognition and Computation	20
Early English: Texts, Patterns and Varieties	20
Monsters, Misery & Miracles: Heroic Life in Old English Poetry	20
Speakers as Wordsmiths: the creation of new words in present-day English	20
Experimental Methods in Linguistics	20
Multilingualism	20
Overseas Exchange (Semester 1)	60
Overseas Exchange (Semester 2)	60

You will develop your own interests by choosing from topics linked to your lecturers’ research specialisms. These include syntactic and phonological theory; low-educated second language and literacy acquisition; language origins and evolution; child language acquisition; language change; and discourse analysis.

There are extended study and dissertation modules that give you the chance to investigate a topic that you are passionate about.

Modules

Optional Modules	Credits
Career Development for final year students	20
Introduction to Child and Adult Language Acquisition	20
Sociolinguistics and the Sociology of Language	20
Contexts: Cognition and Computation	20
Early English: Texts, Patterns and Varieties	20
Monsters, Misery & Miracles: Heroic Life in Old English Poetry	20
Speakers as Wordsmiths: the creation of new words in present-day English	20
Multilingualism	20
Origins and Evolution of Language	20
Topics in Phonological Theory	20
Immigrant Second Language & Literacy Acquisition	20
Language in the City	20
Accents of English	20
Extended Study 1: Linguistics and English Language	20
Extended Study 2: Linguistics and English Language	20
Dissertation: Linguistics and English Language	40
Old English: Texts and Translations	20
The History of Linguistic Ideas	20
Language development:Cross-disciplinary approaches	20
Special Topic in Linguistic Theory	20
Language and Ageing	20
Overseas Exchange (Semester 1)	60
Overseas Exchange (Semester 2)	60

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You can normally expect to spend around 10 hours per week engaging in lecture, seminar and workshop materials, plus weekly study groups.

You also spend around 25 hours per week on class preparation, reading, writing, and other forms of independent research recommended by your tutor.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Presentations

Skills and experience

Practical experience

Studying at Newcastle means you may have the opportunity to attend field trips to local and national points of interest. Previous visits have included:

• The Wordsworth Trust (Dove Cottage)
• Lindisfarne
• Seven Stories (the National Centre for Children's Books)
• Beamish Museum
• the Great North Museum
• Northern Stage

Business skills

You'll have the opportunity to gain real-world work experience in the cultural industries in Stage 3. This experience will develop your communication and management skills as well as your ability to work in a team. 

Research skills

You can complete a dissertation in your third year, investigating a topic that you are passionate about. You will also be offered a range of opportunities to participate in staff research projects.

Opportunities

Study abroad

You have the opportunity to study abroad for one semester in your second year. We have links with:

• Agder University, Kristiansand, Norway
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Ghent, Belgium
• Groningen, Netherlands
• Leiden, Netherlands
• Leipzig, Germany
• Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands

We also have study abroad links with three universities in Canada – Dalhousie, McGill and New Brunswick – available through our Non-EU Study Abroad exchange programme.

Find out more about Study Abroad

Work placement

In the third year of your degree you can apply to undertake a work placement in a cultural industry. This is an opportunity for you to relate the knowledge and skills you have learned throughout your degree and apply them to real-world scenarios.

Your placement will be an integrated part of your degree which will last for one day per week for about 10 weeks. It will be assessed through the submission of a Project Work Diary and a Final Report which together form the Placement Portfolio.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be based in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics, which is at the heart of our city-centre campus, in the Percy Building. You'll join a lively community of students, academics, authors and professionals.

You'll have access to a digital media lab – for students with documentary and film-making modules – a PC cluster, a student-led cafe, and plenty of spaces to work and socialise, all based in the School.

You will have exceptional library provision from our award-winning Library Service, which houses over one million books and a huge range of electronic resources.

Newcastle University Students' Union is home to the award-winning student newspaper, The Courier, giving you the opportunity to develop your creative writing and journalism skills. 

Our teaching is closely linked to the programme of the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts (NCLA), giving you regular contact with leading creative artists. You'll also have access to the diverse programme of events organised by NCLA throughout the year, including spoken-word events and creative writing courses.

Find out more about the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

English students acquire a range of valuable skills, which they can transfer to many different employment situations. Your literary and linguistic training can be used in journalism, librarianship, teaching and the highly competitive fields of writing, acting and directing.

You will also gain other skills such as the capacity to analyse and summarise material, to communicate, to work to a deadline, to argue a case, to work independently as well as collaboratively, and to think logically.

This is excellent preparation for a wide number of professions and as such, our graduates have gone on to a variety of career areas including editorial, marketing, PR and other forms of media. Others have gone to work in law, politics, HR, teaching and supporting specialist learning.

Employability at Newcastle

96% of Newcastle University graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating, with 85.5% in graduate-level employment or further study.

Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates. See what they have gone on to achieve and be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation (Destinations of (undergraduate and postgraduate UK domiciled) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17).

Make a difference

Sorry, you need JavaScript to view this video

Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2020 entry (per year)

Home Fee Students

£9250

International Fee Students

£18000

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme).

The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• scholarships for students applying to study at our London campus
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages