Program Overview

Introduction to the Linguistics BA Program

The Linguistics BA program at UCL is a three-year course that delves into the study of language, exploring its sound patterns, grammatical structures, and how meaning is created and used. Students will investigate various topics, including language acquisition and processing, multilingualism, sociolinguistics, language evolution, and animal communication.

Program Structure

• The program is full-time, spanning three academic years.
• It starts in September 2026, with an application deadline of January 14, 2026.
• The UCAS course code is Q100.

Tuition Fees

• UK tuition fees for 2026/27 are ｣9,790.
• Overseas tuition fees for 2026/27 are ｣32,000.

Entry Requirements

A Levels

• Grades: AAB
• Subjects: English Language preferred
• GCSEs: English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4

Contextual Offer

• Grades: BBB
• Subjects: English Language preferred
• GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• Points: 36
• Subjects: A score of 17 points in three higher level subjects, preferably including English Language, with no higher level score below 5

Contextual Offer for IB Diploma

• Points: 32
• Subjects: A score of 15 points in three higher level subjects, preferably including English Language, with no higher level score below 5

Equivalent Qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma: Pass with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Modules from English Language preferred.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016): Distinction, Distinction, Distinction. Modules from English Language preferred.
• Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects: D3, D3, M1 in three subjects, preferably including English Language.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher), preferably including English Language at Advanced Higher.

Course Overview

The Linguistics BA is designed to develop students' knowledge and expertise in linguistics theory. The course shares core elements with the Experimental Linguistics BSc and offers a Linguistics (International Programme) BA, which includes a year abroad. Students will explore phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, and have the opportunity to tailor the course to their interests in linguistics, language, and beyond.

Teaching and Learning

• Teaching is delivered through lectures, workshops, small-group teaching, and a virtual learning environment.
• Students will develop their understanding of core areas in linguistics and have the opportunity to explore topics in more depth or branch out into other areas of linguistic inquiry.
• The course emphasizes discovery and research-based learning, fostering students' ability to construct and evaluate rigorous models of linguistic data patterns.

Assessment

• Each module is assessed and examined separately in the academic year it is taken.
• Assessment methods include essays, unseen exams, in-class quizzes, presentations, and homework problems.
• The emphasis shifts from continuous assessment and testing knowledge in the first year to larger and more independent projects (essays and presentations) culminating in the dissertation project.

Employability and Career Destinations

• The skills and knowledge gained from studying linguistics at university level are valued in a wide variety of future career destinations, including marketing, advertising, PR and communications, business and management, teaching, and speech and language therapy.
• Many Linguistics graduates from UCL pursue the subject at postgraduate level, often with a view to pursuing an academic career in research.

Fees and Funding

• UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval and are for the first year only.
• International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the program.
• Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy, and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional Costs

• There are minimal costs other than those covered by tuition fees.
• Some modules make use of textbooks, but these are typically available through the UCL library.
• Students who pursue experimental work as part of their dissertation are eligible to have costs refunded up to a set budget.

Accessibility

• The department will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities.
• Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis, with the student's consent, and in collaboration with UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.
• Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble.