Discover both the art and science of language.
Year of entry: 2025/26
QQ31
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2025 (semester dates)
£9,250/£9,535 (to be confirmed) per year
£25,800 per year
Complete University Guide 2025
in linguistics (National Student Survey 2024)
QS World Rankings by Subject 2024
A combined English and Linguistics course offers one of the most stimulating university degrees.
Studying English will give you new ways of thinking about the world and new possibilities of expression. Studying linguistics will enable you to understand and interpret language and to learn the science behind how we communicate. Therefore, studying English and Linguistics together offers you the exciting opportunity to study both the art and science of language.
Staff in both departments are world-renowned for their research, which covers every period of history, many major languages and most literary genres around the world.
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 qualification. This teacher training programme, also offered in-house, can qualify you to teach English to non-native speakers.
You'll benefit from our interdisciplinary research and teaching with critical thinking and transferable skills.
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.
Studying English/Linguistics at York has given me a unique insight into the cross section between language and text. My favourite part of the course so far has been studying the 'History of English' module and learning how language has evolved since its origin. This gave me relevant background for studying Beowulf in the 'Approaches to Literature' module, which I would have lacked had I not chosen the joint honours.
Marti, English/Linguistics student
You’ll cover a range of topics on English and foreign languages, linguistics, and literatures. Our innovative curriculum offers an international outlook that takes account of global contexts.
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.
In the first year of your degree, we’ll introduce you to the undergraduate study of English and Linguistics. Our modules will give you the skills you need to start undertaking literary and linguistic research, and advice on how to combine the two disciplines.
We’ll introduce you to an exciting range of texts and critical approaches in your first year to lay the foundation for your degree. You’ll develop your knowledge of literary history by studying works from the medieval, Renaissance, early modern, eighteenth-century, Romantic, Victorian, and modern periods on our Approaches to Literature modules. Reading Now will introduce you to the necessary skills for the study of literature at university level.
Your core modules in Linguistics are designed to give you a grounding in the basic vocabulary and concepts of linguistic theory, which will form the bedrock of your future study. You will cover topics such as:
You'll study one option module:
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:
Our Intermediate Option Modules allow you to deepen your understanding of the relationship between literary works and the cultural, historical, and political contexts in which they were produced.
Our World Literature Modules invite you to engage with questions of language, translation, and cultural difference in ways that equip you with important skills in linguistic analysis and description. Recent offerings have included the following:
In the second year, you'll apply your core linguistic knowledge to new types of linguistic data, such as child language or regional varieties of English. At the same time, you will gain deeper theoretical knowledge in the core areas that you choose to pursue. You'll choose one of:
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
You also have the option of undertaking a year-long dissertation (for which Research Now in Year 2 is required). This can either be an English and Related Literature Dissertation or a English and Linguistics Bridge Dissertation; the latter invites you to undertake a research project that brings the study of English and Linguistics together. Each version of this year-long advanced module offers you the chance to use all the research and writing skills you will have developed at York.
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.
In English, you will choose from the department’s Advanced Option Modules. These reflect the wide-ranging and cutting-edge research expertise of the Department, and our options cover literature from the classical period to the twenty-first century, as well as film and creative writing. Students can typically choose from around 30 options. Recent offerings have included:
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. Options may include:
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/£9,535 (to be confirmed) | £25,800 |
*In November 2024, the UK Government announced that the fee cap for full-time UK (home) students may rise from £9,250 to £9,535, starting from the 2025/26 academic year. We’ll publish any updates to fees on this page once they've been confirmed.
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.
You'll need copies of the texts set for each module. Where possible, the Department works to arrange digital copies via the University Library. Where this is not practical, you'll be instructed in advance of the start of each term about the texts and editions you'll need to purchase (whether new or second-hand).
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
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.
In English, you’ll learn through a programme of seminars, lectures, workshops and one-to-one consultations. We emphasize small-group teaching, which means you’ll mainly be taught in seminars.
In Linguistics, you’ll learn through a mix of seminars, lectures, practicals and labs, as well as through independent study. Class sizes decrease as you advance through the degree. Lectures are accompanied by small-group teaching in seminars and practicals.
York’s English and Linguistics degree is renowned for its flexible and innovative approach.
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.
Thin Ice Press is the Department of English and Related Literature’s in-house printing studio, whose iron presses chart the evolution of print from 1838-1926. They offer opportunities to experience the relationship between writing and printing practices through publication, practice-led research, teaching, and public workshops.
You will be based in the Department of English and Related Literature and the Department of Language and Linguistic Science on Campus West.
Your contact hours will be divided between various locations around Campus West, including Vanbrugh College, Derwent College and the Spring Lane Building.
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.
The Department of English and Related Literature employs a variety of assessment methods, including group projects and open exams, but with a strong emphasis on essay writing. Your main mode of assessment will be essays, which will range from short exploratory exercises to more detailed discussions on a topic of your choice.
The Department of Language and Linguistic Science also uses varied assessment methods, including closed and open exams, coursework, extended essays, group oral presentations, lab reports and practicals.
Both departments offer high levels of feedback and ample opportunities for you to meet with staff to discuss your written work.
Studying English and Linguistics at York will provide you with numerous career possibilities. You’ll learn presentation, language and critical thinking skills during your combined degree, and gain expertise in complex analysis and research. These skills suit a wide range of careers, from law and teaching to national and local government and the creative industries.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB including an A in English Literature (English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction, including at least 9 credits in Literature-related units, and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD with an additional A Level or equivalent qualification in English Literature at grade A |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 including D3 in English Literature |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall, with 85% in English Literature. |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points including 6 in English Literature at Higher Level (Higher Level English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in English Literature has been taken. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Advanced Highers - B in English Literature Scottish Highers - BBBB 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. |
| 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 offer | ABC including an A in English Literature (English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| EPQ | If you achieve A or higher at EPQ, 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
Department of English and Related Literature, Department of Language and Linguistic Science
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