Linguistics courses at UCL
Students on Linguistics undergraduate courses at UCL investigate the world’s languages in order to understand the fundamental nature of human language, how the human mind gives rise to it, and how human social abilities combine with language abilities in communication.
We offer the following courses:
- Linguistics BA
- Linguistics (International Programme) BA (four year programme, with a year spent studying abroad)
- Experimental Linguistics BSc
- Experimental Linguistics (International Programme) BSc (four year programme, with a year spent studying abroad)
The flexible degree structure allows students to pursue a range of optional modules that relate the study of linguistics to broader questions – child language development, multilingualism, animal communication, language evolution, sociolinguistics, and neurolinguistics.
5th in the world
UCL is known worldwide for its teaching and research in linguistics. Ranked 5th in the UK for Linguistics in the Complete University Guide (2025).
Complete University Guide (2025)5th in Europe
We are ranked 5th in Europe for linguistics by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024Why study Linguistics at UCL?
- We are ranked 1st in London for linguistics (Complete University Guide 2025).
- UCL is named University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
- We are ranked 5th in Europe for linguistics by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
- You will develop a broad foundation in linguistic analysis and theory, while being able to pursue chosen areas in greater depth, and also to study language and linguistics in a broader context.
- At 1:10.1, UCL has the joint-best staff-to-student ratio of any public UK university (Guardian University Guide 2022).
- We offer cutting-edge resources such as extensive laboratories for research in speech and language, perception and cognition, a centre for brain imaging and a behavioural neuroscience laboratory.
- We collaborate with a broad range of interdisciplinary research centres and institutes, both within UCL and beyond.
- 100% of graduates are in work or further study with an average salary of £33,667 15 months after completing their programme (based on the most recent Graduate Outcomes survey from 2021/22 (HESA)).