Engage with the English language in its historical and social contexts
Year of entry: 2025/26
Q302
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2025 (semester dates)
in linguistics (National Student Survey 2024)
according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021)
QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
Studying English Language and Linguistics will enable you to discover the changing shape of English over time and space, and the science behind language acquisition, processing and communication.
You’ll engage with theories of how language works as well as hands-on analysis of linguistic data. The challenging integration of theory and practice will enable you to become a uniquely-skilled analytical thinker and problem-solver. Your knowledge and understanding of how a language works and how we communicate, and the skills you will develop along the way, will give you a solid foundation for a wide range of careers.
This flexible course allows you to focus on your main interests from the second year onwards. You’ll be taught by world-leading academics whose expertise covers a range of areas of linguistics. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the dedicated linguistic resources located in our department e-lab. Our Virtual Learning Environment is always accessible, meaning that you’ll be able to use the resources whenever you need them.
At York, you'll benefit from being able to take TEFL modules in-house, as part of your degree. You can count the work you complete in your TEFL modules towards a CertTESOL qualification. This teacher training programme, also offered in-house, can qualify you to teach English to non-native speakers.
As part of your degree, you can choose to take a credit-bearing module in a variety of languages - from Medieval Latin to Japanese, to Arabic or Chinese.
English is spoken by over one billion people, either natively or as a second language. By immersing yourself in the study of English, you'll reach deep conclusions about the nature of the language, and discover the forces that have shaped it over time.
You’ll examine spoken and written data to understand how language works, using tools from core areas of linguistics including syntax, phonetics and phonology, sociolinguistics and semantics. You will apply your knowledge and skills in linguistics to different domains of language study, for example: psycholinguistics, language acquisition, language variation and change, language in interaction, the history of English, forensic linguistics, forensic speech science, and teaching English as a foreign language.
Building upon the core skills in linguistic analysis you developed in your first year of study, you can customise your programme of study by specialising in particular areas of interest in your second and final years.
You'll be able to take elective modules from another department. All electives are offered subject to departmental approval and timetable availability. You may also take certain language courses offered by Languages for All (LFA) as electives, but there may be restrictions on which LFA levels can be taken at each stage of your degree. Ask us for further details.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
You will gain a grounding in the basic vocabulary and concepts of linguistic theory, which form the bedrock of your future study of the English language. We also put the modern language in context by exploring where it came from and why it is the way it is today. Throughout the year, you will learn core skills in linguistics that complement your English Language studies.
Core modules
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In the second year, you'll apply your core analytic knowledge to new types of data in English Language and Linguistics, according to your interests (eg regional varieties of English, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, historical development of English). You'll also continue to deepen your theoretical knowledge in the core areas of linguistics that you choose to pursue. Second-year linguistics modules cover areas including phonetics and phonology, language variation and change, syntax, semantics, interaction, and psycholinguistics.
Core modules
Option modules
You will study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
In your final year, you can choose freely from a wide range of modules. You will have the opportunity to become proficient in all aspects of managing small-scale linguistic projects, from identifying the research questions, to communicating the findings. You can choose to specialise, follow your own interests and carry out original research.
You will study six option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £25,800 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
Set texts are available from the Library or online, but you may wish to buy your own copy for some modules. These typically cost between £10 and £30.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
Find out more about funding specific to Languages and Linguistics.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
You'll be taught in different ways, from lectures to small-group discussions and individual work. Our different teaching formats equip you to be an effective independent learner. In your first year we offer you extra study support in several ways. Our Peer Assisted Learning programme gives you the opportunity to work with other students. You can also add an optional contact hour with one of our staff each week and receive additional support with easing into university life.
First year
You'll focus on learning how to use the tools of linguistic study and attend large lectures, accompanied by set work to complete. You'll also have regular smaller group sessions, which give you the opportunity to discuss your progress, resolve problems and expand upon the set exercises. Our first-year module "Understanding Language in the Real World" uses an innovative approach called problem-based learning (PBL). In these sessions, you’ll work with fellow students in teams to come up with solutions to real-world language problems.
Second year
In addition to lectures, you can participate in group presentations and practical sessions. You'll also prepare in advance for seminar discussions, which may include library-based research. Classes in second year tend to be smaller, and students have more opportunities to write essays and design their own projects.
Final year
You'll work with challenging and stimulating primary research papers for some modules. For other modules involving phonetic or grammatical analysis, you'll work in the lab. You'll take a primary role in researching and presenting content. You can choose to produce your own research project, and you'll be supervised by a member of staff for this
Throughout the course, you'll typically spend 12 hours per teaching week in the classroom. You should expect to devote at least 30 additional hours a week to independent study, completing set exercises, reading, researching projects, coursework and assessment preparation. In Semester 1, you'll have a “consolidation week” without lectures or seminars. This is an opportunity to consolidate what was learned in the first half of the semester. In Semester 2, there will be no reading week and no consolidation week, but there will be a two-week Easter break.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 5-6 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 5-6 hours per week |
| Workshops | 5-6 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
All of our modules have Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) websites where all crucial materials — reading lists, handouts, discussion boards — are always accessible. Most first-year modules provide additional self-study practice exercises on the VLE.
We have our own departmental e-lab for the teaching and study time of our students. Here you will have access to a variety of resources, including specialist linguistics software, collections of text and speech, and online language-learning materials. Several undergraduate modules are taught in this laboratory and you'll receive training in using these resources.
You will be based in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science on Campus West. Your contact hours will be on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
You'll complete different types of assessments throughout your degree. These include coursework and exams, ranging from short sets of exercises and extended essays, to group projects where you research and present a topic in a team.
You'll also take formative assessments, which do not count towards your final mark, but offer you feedback on your progress and development. Types of feedback can include in-class discussion of common problems on a particular assignment, model answers, one-on-one discussion of research projects and online responses on the module discussion board, as well as written feedback on work that you have submitted.
We can make appropriate adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities. See the University's disability support pages for further details.
Effective communication, critical thinking and project management skills are central to most careers. The study of language and linguistics at York equips you with these skills and others, which translate readily into any work context. Read more about employability skills.
Our graduates have an excellent record of pursuing fulfilling paths after graduation. Learn more about graduate career destinations.
Apart from your knowledge of linguistics, you will leave with the confidence and skills that come from successfully completing a demanding course and participating fully in university life.
There are specialist careers that can lead directly from your degree, after additional postgraduate training, including: clinical linguistics (speech and language therapy), teaching (primary and secondary), teaching English as a foreign language, forensic linguistics, forensic speech science, academic research and higher/further education.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall average |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points |
| T levels | We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - AABBB Advanced Highers - not required for entry We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| Core Maths | If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| MOOCs | If you successfully complete our online course Accents, attitudes and identity do let us know, as you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about MOOCs. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
If you want to study English literature alongside linguistics, see our English and Linguistics course.
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