Linguistics BA

A Levels

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

International applications

In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

UCL 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.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

The English language level for this programme is: Good (Advanced for GCSE/IGCSE)

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

• 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.

• You will develop a wide range of transferable skills: a broad understanding of language and languages; data collection and analysis; hypothesis testing; critical reading and argumentation. Through optional modules, students may gain experience with experimental design and statistical analysis.

• 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.

• UCL Linguistics is known worldwide for its teaching and research excellence and the work of our staff appears in internationally acclaimed journals and books. You will also have access to extensive computer facilities and to a specialised on-site library in addition to UCL's main library.

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits and adding up to 120 credits per year in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year.

In the first year your modules are all compulsory, providing a broad foundation in linguistics and helping you assess where your own interests and strengths lie. In addition to compulsory modules in core areas of semantics and pragmatics, phonetics or phonology, and syntax, students will take a module in language acquisition.

Students take at least four intermediate modules covering the core areas of linguistics. They will also take two 15-credit elective modules in Linguistics, and two 15-credit UCL-wide elective modules.

In their final year, students undertake a 30-credit research project, involving a deep and sustained study of a subject in which they are especially interested.

Students take three advanced modules from the core areas of linguistics, one intermediate or advanced module offered in any area of linguistics, and two further Linguistics or UCL-wide elective modules. 

The elective modules you take in years two and three may include modules offered outside Linguistics, for example, many students choose to take language courses taught by the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education. 

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Linguistics.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

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. 

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.

UCL is committed to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.

Tuition fees

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/23 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2022/23 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

UK students

£9,250 (2022/23)

Overseas students

£24,000 (2022/23)

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.

Additional costs

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

Departmental scholarships

Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.