Course overview

Our Linguistics BA Honours degree focuses on developing your understanding of how language works, how we communicate, and the growth of language in the brain.

You'll explore linguistics in the context of English alongside other languages. You'll build a firm base of skills and knowledge. This will allow you to pursue many career paths - from journalism or data science to teaching or further postgraduate study.

In your first year, you’ll study a foreign language, modern or ancient, alongside Linguistics. 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

At the end of this course, you'll become a confident and competent professional. You'll learn 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

Your course during COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption.

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

View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information

Quality and ranking

• 10th in UK - The Complete University Guide 2022 (Linguistics category)
• 16th in the UK - Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 (Linguistics category)
• Top 150 for Linguistics - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
• Top 150 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2022
• 1st in the UK and 8th in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021

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 (morphology and syntax) and the sounds and sound systems of language (phonetics and 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
Introduction to Child and Adult Language Acquisition	20
Sociolinguistics	20
Early English: Texts, Patterns and Varieties	20
Speakers as Wordsmiths: the creation of new words in present-day English	20
Experimental Methods in Linguistics	20
Multilingualism	20
Linguistic Controversies	20
Pragmatics	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-education second language and literary acquisition, language origins and evolution, child language acquisition and language change.

You will also undertake an independent project, leading your own research in close collaboration with a faculty supervisor.

Modules

Optional Modules	Credits
Career Development for final year students	20
Introduction to Child and Adult Language Acquisition	20
Sociolinguistics	20
Early English: Texts, Patterns and Varieties	20
Speakers as Wordsmiths: the creation of new words in present-day English	20
Experimental Methods in Linguistics	20
Multilingualism	20
Linguistic Controversies	20
Topics in Phonological Theory	20
English Grammar through Time	20
Language in the City	20
Extended Study 1: Linguistics and English Language	20
Extended Study 2: Linguistics and English Language	20
Dissertation: Linguistics and English Language	40
The History of Linguistic Ideas	20
Language and Ageing	20
Comparative Syntax: English in a cross-linguistic context	20
Second Language Acquisition	20
Pragmatic Theory	20
Child Language Acquisition	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You can normally expect to spend around 10 hours per week attending lectures, seminars, workshops and film screenings, 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 Linguistics at Newcastle means you will benefit from access to our state-of-the-art Linguistics Laboratory. The LingLab hosts collections of English language data for analysis of linguistic variation and change. It also hosts a range of equipment for advanced articulatory, phonetic and psycholinguistic research. Activities are supported by a dedicated lab manager.

Employability

All Stage 2 students take part in the English Employability Challenge, an event run in collaboration with School alumni and the Newcastle University Careers Service. This event gives you the opportunity to take on real-life situations with a brief set by an employer. Those interested in developing their enterprise skills or setting up a business will also have the opportunity to take part in the Developing Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Employability module.

Research skills

As part of your degree you will complete an independent research project in your final year. You will collaborate with a faculty member to investigate a novel topic that you are passionate about. You will also be offered a range of opportunities to participate in staff research project.

Opportunities

Study abroad

You can study abroad for one semester in your second year as part of this degree. In Europe we have links with:

• Ghent University, Belgium
• Leipzig University, Germany
• Groningen University, Netherlands
• Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands

We also have links with universities in other parts of the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and the USA, including, but not limited to:

• Monash University, Australia
• University of Sydney, Australia
• McGill University, Canada
• University of Hong Kong
• University of Vermont, USA

Find out more about Study Abroad.

Work placement

During your degree, you’ll have multiple opportunities to undertake a meaningful work placement. In your second and third years, you may choose to take the Career Development Module which offers academic credit for 50 hours of placement. You can choose to carry out your placement via part-time work, volunteering or in a local school. You will be assessed through a mixture of written work, presentations, and professional skills assessment.

In addition, you'll have the option to spend 9 to 12 months on a work placement with University support from our dedicated Careers team to help you secure your dream placement in the UK or abroad. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice, and developing your professional expertise. Previous placements have been in a range of sectors, including:

• Journalism and Broadcasting
• Sustainable Energy
• Politics
• Digital Media and Marketing
• Education
• Finance
• Museum and Heritage
• Travel and Tourism

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

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, writers and professionals.

You'll have access to:

• a digital media lab – for students with documentary and film-making modules
• The LingLab, a world-class research facility for linguistics
• PC clusters throughout campus
• a student-led café
• the award-winning Language Resource Centre with self-study resources for over 50 languages
• plenty of spaces to work and socialise

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

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 affecting your academic progress.

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

Your future

English Language and Linguistics students acquire a range of valuable skills which equip them to pursue diverse career paths.

Your training can be used in:

• teaching English as a foreign language
• publishing
• journalism
• advertising, branding and marketing
• information services and data science

You will gain skills such as critical reasoning and problem solving, project and data management, oral and written communication, collaboration and independent research.

Our degrees provide excellent preparation for a wide number of professions. With further training, our graduates have also become:

• lexicographers
• translators and interpreters
• speech and language therapists
• social researchers
• legal sector workers (including forensic linguists)

Industry links

English graduates from Newcastle University include:

• Peter Straughan (screenwriter of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy)
• Andy Bird (former chairman of Walt Disney International)
• Neil Astley (writer and founder of Bloodaxe publishing house)
• Teresa Graham (awarded a CBE in 2007 and an OBE in 1997)
• Charlie Webster (broadcaster and Women’s rights campaigner)

Make a difference

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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

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2022 entry (per year)

Home Fee Students

£9250

International Fee Students

£20400

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying 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

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

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
• 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