BA Linguistics and...

Program Overview

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Key Information

Duration

3 or 4 years, depending on precise combination

Start of Programme

September

Attendance Mode

Full-time

Location

On Campus

Fees

• Home: £9,535
• International: £22,870

Entry Requirements

• AAB-ABB
• For joint degrees, the offer is based on the subject with the higher entry requirements
• Contextual: ABB-BBB

Course Overview

The BA Linguistics combined degree gives you the tools to understand how the world’s languages differ and how they are similar, how they relate historically and interact today, and above all how they are structured.

Linguistics takes you beyond merely speaking a language, and helps you see how languages, in all their diversity, actually function.

Modern linguistics is the scientific study of all aspects of the world’s languages from their sound systems and grammatical structure through to the interaction of language with culture, the study of meaning in language, and the use of language in modern technology.

Linguistics at SOAS is all about appreciating the diversity of cultures beyond Europe and the English-speaking world. Anyone who has a particular interest in the languages of a country or region in Asia, Africa or the Middle East will feel very much at home on this programme. More generally, Linguistics is the ideal subject for those who are interested in human culture and psychology, but who enjoy approaching questions about our world in a systematic, precise, logical intellectual framework.

Why Study Linguistics at SOAS?

• SOAS is ranked 13th in the UK for Modern Languages (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• We are ranked 11th in the UK for Linguistics (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• Modern Languages and Linguistics at SOAS has been ranked 10th in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
• We've also been ranked 4th for research environment - with 100% of our research ranked as 'internationally excellent' and 85% as 'world-leading' - and 8th for research outputs in the REF 2021

Combined Courses

• BA Arabic and Linguistics (Year Abroad)
• BA Chinese and Linguistics (Year Abroad)
• BA East Asian Studies and Linguistics
• BA Global Development and Linguistics
• BA Japanese and Linguistics (Year Abroad)
• BA Korean and Linguistics (Year Abroad)
• BA Languages and Cultures and Linguistics
• BA Languages and Cultures and Linguistics including year abroad
• BA Linguistics and Politics
• BA Linguistics and Social Anthropology

Teaching and Learning

The linguistics component of the combined subject degree is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the way that languages are universally structured and trains students to master all the basic skills necessary for the analysis of different sound systems and semantics (the study of meaning in language). In addition, students may also take modules dealing with language and social communication (focusing on the interaction of language and social groups), morphology (the structure of words), historical linguistics (the historical development of languages), phonetics and the structure of an African or Asian language.

Contact Hours

Each module generally involves a 2-hour lecture and a tutorial, a 1-hour small-group discussion class each week. The tutorial is intended for further discussion of points made in the lecture and for the development of linguistic problem-solving skills.

Assessment

Assessment varies according to the nature of the modules. Introductory modules are assessed in the end of year exams in May/June. Other modules may involve written examinations, practical tests, course work, essays or a combination of these.

Year Abroad

If linguistics is studied with a language, the third year of their degree is spent abroad.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Fees and Funding

Fees for 2025/26 Entrants per Academic Year

Programme	Full-Time
UK students	Overseas students
BA, BSc, LLB	£9,535	£22,870
BA/BSc Language year abroad	£1,385	£11,430

Employment

Graduates of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with skills in written and oral communication, analysis and problem solving.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

• Africa Matters
• Amnesty International
• Arab British Chamber of Commerce
• BBC World Service
• British High Commission
• Council for British Research in the Levant
• Department for International Development
• Edelman
• Embassy of Jordan
• Ernst & Young
• Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• Google
• Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies
• Middle East Eye
• Saïd Foundation
• TalkAbout Speech Therapy
• The Black Curriculum
• The Telegraph
• United Nations Development Programme
• UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
• Wall Street Journal

Key Staff

Lecturer in Linguistics

• Dr Maria Flouraki
• Syntax, syntax-semantics interface, formal semantics, lexical semantics, constraint-based frameworks (LFG and HPSG), lexical aspect, negation, argument structure, Romance languages, Greek, South-Asian languages

Program Outline

This program is ideal for students who:

• Possess a strong interest in a particular language spoken in Asia, Africa, or the Middle East
• Want to combine linguistic expertise with a deep understanding of the culture where that language is spoken
• Enjoy logical, systematic approaches to complex questions about languages
• Duration: 3 years (without year abroad) or 4 years (with year abroad)
• Start of program: September
• Location: Russell Square, College Buildings
• Mode of study: Full-time
• Tuition fees:
• Home student fees: £9,250 per year
• Overseas student fees: £21,990 per year
• Please note that fees go up each year.
You will:
• Develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills through linguistic study
• Gain expertise in the structure and meaning of your chosen language
• Learn to analyze and compare languages from diverse backgrounds
• Benefit from dedicated language classes, allowing you to achieve fluency and communicate effectively
• Have the opportunity to study abroad in a country related to your chosen language, immersing yourself in the culture and language firsthand (optional)

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Outline:

The program combines core modules in linguistics and your chosen language with optional modules allowing you to tailor your learning experience.

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Year 1:

• Core module: Introduction to Linguistics (15 credits)
• Core module: Languages of the World (15 credits)
• Core module: Sounds, grammar and meaning in language (15 credits)
• Other subject modules (60 credits)

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Year 2 (with year abroad):

• Linguistics pathway:
• Core module: Approaches to Syntax (15 credits)
• Core module: Introduction to Research (15 credits)
• Guided option modules (15 credits)
• Other subject modules (60 credits)
• Translation pathway:
• Core module: Introduction to Translation Theory (15 credits)
• Core module: Translating Cultures 1 (15 credits)
• Core module: Understanding Texts (15 credits)
• Guided option modules (15 credits)
• Other subject modules (60 credits)

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Year 3/4 (with year abroad):

• Linguistics pathway:
• Core module: Independent Study Project (30 credits)
• Core module: Advanced Topics in Linguistics (15 credits)
• Guided option modules (15 credits)
• Other subject modules (60 credits)
• Translation pathway:
• Core module: Translation Project (30 credits)
• Core module: Translation Technology (15 credits)
• Guided option modules (15 credits)
• Other subject modules (60 credits)

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Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the module. They may include:

• Essays
• Data analysis tasks
• Presentations
• Exams
• Group projects
• Portfolio of translation work

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Teaching:

The program benefits from a highly qualified and experienced faculty specializing in linguistics and language teaching. You will encounter a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Interactive lectures
• Small group seminars
• Tutorials
• Individual supervision
• Language workshops
• Guest lectures
• Independent research
• Field trips

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Careers:

Graduates of this program develop a diverse range of skills and knowledge, opening doors to numerous career opportunities. Potential pathways include:

• Linguistics: Research, education, computational linguistics, language analysis
• Translation: Professional translation, interpreting, localization, subtitling
• Communication: Journalism, public relations, media, marketing, advertising
• Education: Teaching, curriculum development, educational administration
• International Relations: Diplomacy, cultural exchange, development work
• Research: Further studies at postgraduate level, academic research

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Other:

• The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and independent learning.
• You will learn to communicate effectively in both spoken and written forms.
• You will develop cultural sensitivity and awareness.
• You will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, such as language clubs and societies.

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Conclusion:

The BA Linguistics and ... program at SOAS offers an enriching and challenging experience, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career path. By combining linguistics with your chosen language, you gain a unique perspective on language, culture, and the world around you.

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Home student fees: £9,250 Overseas student fees: £21,990 Please note that fees go up each year.