LONDON'S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
Linguistics BA
UCAS code: Q100
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/linguistics
Linguistics BA
Linguistics is the study of the capacity to use
language. This includes phonetics and
phonology (how sounds are produced and
received), morphology (how words are built from
smaller elements), syntax (how words are
combined to form sentences), and semantics
and pragmatics. The Linguistics BA focuses on
these aspects; the Experimental Linguistics BSc
focuses, additionally, on experimental
methodologies for studying them.
Degree summary
•
Gain a broadly based training in linguistics together with the
opportunity to explore other themes, such as language acquisition
and language processing.
•
UCL is known worldwide for its teaching and research in linguistics;
the work of our staff appears in internationally acclaimed journals and
books and feedback from students in recent national surveys shows
96% were satisfied with the degree programme.
•
Our focus on small-group teaching helps develop a friendly and
supportive atmosphere. LingSoc, the Linguistics student society, runs
a mentoring scheme whereby second-year or final-year students
support new students.
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You will have access to extensive computer facilities and to a
specialised on-site library in addition to the UCL Main Library.
In the first year your courses are all compulsory, providing a foundation in
Linguistics and helping you assess where your own interests and
strengths lie. The Experimental Linguistics BSc pathway also focuses on
experimental methods to understand how language is acquired,
processed and implemented in the brain.
In your second and third years you choose from a range of intermediate
and advanced courses within a requirement to complete courses in the
three core areas of: Semantics and Pragmatics, Phonetics and
Phonology, and Syntax. You can also choose courses in
psycholinguistics, including language acquisition.
Experimental Linguistics BSc students take fewer compulsory courses in
phonetics and phonology, syntax, and semantics and pragmatics, and
more courses in psycholinguistics (what representations and
mechanisms are linked to process language), neurolinguistics (how those
representations of mechanisms are implemented in the brain) and
practical experience in research design and statistical data analysis.
In your final year, you will undertake a research project, involving a deep
and sustained study of a subject in which you are especially interested.
You can also take optional courses offered outside Linguistics; for
example, many students choose to take language courses taught by the
UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Your learning
Teaching is mainly delivered through lectures, workshops and
small-group teaching (tutorials in which you meet with a group of between
five and 12 students and a staff member to discuss topics covered in the
lecture) as well as a virtual learning environment. Some courses also
involve workshops.
Each course is assessed and examined separately, often by a
combination of essays, exercises and examinations. Your performance in
a course is always assessed in the same academic year in which you
take it.
Your career
In addition to subject-specific skills, you will also acquire the analytical,
investigative and study skills essential for most graduate careers, which
could include law, computing, commerce and industry. Recent national
surveys show that UCL Linguistics graduates have above average
employment rates and starting salaries after graduation.
Many Linguistics graduates from UCL carry on with the subject at
graduate level often with a view to pursuing an academic career.
Linguistics connects with many other disciplines and a number of
graduates go on to work in these areas, e.g. teaching languages,
especially English as a first or foreign language, speech therapy,
advertising or the media.
First career destinations of recent graduates (2010-2013) of this
programme include:
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Graduate Trainee Financial Consultant, Willis Group
National Account Manager, Procter & Gamble
Full-time student, Graduate Diploma in Law
Public Relations Assistant, Hodder Publishing
Full-time student, MSc in Speech and Language Processing at the
University of Edinburgh
Degree structure
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual courses,
normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for
the year. Courses are assessed in the academic year in which they are
taken. The balance of compulsory and optional courses varies from
programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered
equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Year One
Compulsory courses
Core Issues in Linguistics
Introduction to Children's Language Development
Introduction To Generative Grammar
Introduction To Phonetics And Phonology
Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics
Students entering the Experimental Linguistics BSc will study:
Semantics and Pragmatics
Phonetics and Phonology
Syntax
plus two introductory courses in general linguistics (core issues) and in
research methods.
Optional courses
You will select 1.0 credit of further courses from a wide range of options.
Some possible Linguistics options are listed below:
Animal Communication
Language Acquisition
Linguistics of Sign Language
Modern Foreign Language courses
Morphology
Neurolinguistics
Sociolinguistics
Stuttering
All second year courses are compulsory for students on the Experimental
Linguistics BSc pathway.
Final Year
Compulsory courses
Long Essay/Project (1.0 credits)
Two courses each from two of the core areas of Linguistics (2.0 credits):
Semantics and Pragmatics
Syntax
Optional courses
Please note Students on the Experimental Linguistics BSc pathway will
take three courses from two of the core areas of Linguistics above and one
course in experimental linguistics.
All first year courses are compulsory.
Optional courses
Year Two
You will select 1.0 credit of further courses from a wide range of options.
Some possible Linguistics options are listed below:
Compulsory courses
Two intermediate courses in each of the core areas of Linguistics:
Phonetics and Phonology
Semantics and Pragmatics
Syntax
to the total value of 3.0 credits.
Students entering the Experimental Linguistics BSc pathway will take
intermediate courses in two out of the three core areas of linguistics above
and:
Language Acquisition
Psycholinguistics
Neurolinguistics
Research Methods
Language Acquisition
Linguistics of Sign Language
Modern Foreign Language courses
Morphology
Neurolinguistics
Philosophy of Language
Semantics-Pragmatic Development
Sociolinguistics
Stuttering
Entry requirements
A levels
A level grades
AAA-ABB. Experimental Linguistics BSc
pathway: AAA-AAB
A level subjects
English Language, Mathematics or a science
subject preferred. Experimental Linguistics
pathway: at least one subject from Biology,
Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and
Psychology.
AS levels
For UK-based students a pass in a further subject
at AS level or equivalent is required.
GCSE
English Language and Mathematics at grade C.
For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent
in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek,
Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL
provides opportunities to meet the foreign
language requirement following enrolment,
further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
IB diploma
IB points
34-38. Experimental Linguistics BSc pathway:
36-38.
Subjects
A score of 16-18 points in three higher level
subjects preferably to include English Language,
Mathematics or a science subject, with no score
lower than 5. Experimental Linguistics pathway: A
score of 17-18 points in three higher level
subjects including one from Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Mathematics or Psychology with no
score below 5.
Your application
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at
school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however,
applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United
Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
We are looking for students with strong analytical skills who are
fascinated by languages and intrigued by how the human mind works.
We place particular emphasis on your personal statement and will be
looking for clarity of expression and evidence that you have considered
the subject in detail.
If you are likely to meet our entry requirements you will be asked to
complete a questionnaire. UK residents may then be invited to an
applicant open day where you will find out about the department and
programme, attend a lecture or tutorial and join a tour of UCL.
Fees
UK/EU fee
£9,000 (2016/17)
Overseas fee
£16,130 (2016/17)
Notes
Details about financial support are available at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/study/ug-finance
Contacts
Contact
Mrs Stefanie Anyadi
Admissions Officer
Email
enquiries-linguistics@pals.ucl.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7679 4224
Other qualifications
Prospectus entry
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/linguistics
Full lists of all degree programmes and other entry requirements can be
found on our website at: www.ucl.ac.uk/otherquals
Key facts
Undergraduate Preparatory
Certificates
UCL's Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive
one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic
potential, who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree
programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
For more information see our website: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc
PDF Updated: February 19, 2016
Information correct at time of going to press. See website (www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/linguistics) for latest information
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Department
Division of Psychology and Language Sciences
Faculty
Brain Sciences