Program Overview

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Linguistics with German BA Honours

The Linguistics with German BA Honours degree at Newcastle University is a four-year program that focuses on developing students' understanding of how languages function, how we communicate, and the growth of language in the mind. The program explores linguistics in the context of English and German, building a firm foundation of skills to pursue many potential career paths.

Course Overview

The program concentrates on developing students' understanding of how languages function, how we communicate, and the growth of language in the mind. Students will explore linguistics in the context of English and German, building a firm foundation of skills to pursue many potential career paths.

Quality and Ranking

The University of Newcastle is ranked:

• 8th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2026 (German category)
• 16th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2026 (Linguistics category)
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Top 200 for Linguistics - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 75 for Arts and Humanities - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 200 for Modern Languages - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 42% of research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 11th in the UK – Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 (German category)
• 9th in the UK – Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 (Linguistics category)
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
• Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Modules and Learning

The program is divided into four stages, each lasting one academic year. Students will complete modules totaling 120 credits by the end of each stage. The teaching is informed by research, and course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline.

Stage 1

• Level B (HE Intermediate) German
• The Nature of Language
• Introduction to the Structure of Language 1: Phonetics, Phonology & Morphology
• Introduction to Language Structure 2: Syntax, semantics and pragmatics
• Dealing with Data
• Optional modules:
  • Introduction to German history, culture and society
  • Introduction to Linguistics
  • Academic Study and Research Skills

Stage 2

• Level C (HE Advanced) German
• Phonological Theory
• Syntactic Theory
• Year Abroad Preparation
• Optional modules:
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Early English: Texts, Patterns and Varieties
  • Pragmatic Theory
  • CHiLD: Current Hypotheses in Language Development
  • Introduction to Second Language Learning and Teaching
  • Experimental Practicum
  • Philosophy of Linguistics

Stage 3

• Year Abroad Tutor Posts
• Optional modules:
  • Study Abroad
  • Year Abroad Work Placement Report (Semester 1)
  • Year Abroad Work Placement Report (Semester 2)
  • Year Abroad Project (Semester 2)

Stage 4

• Level D (HE Further Advanced): German for Professional and Academic Purposes
• Short-form Dissertation 1: English Language and Linguistics
• Short-form Dissertation 2: English Language and Linguistics
• Dissertation/T&I Project
• Optional modules:
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Early English: Texts, Patterns and Varieties
  • Pragmatic Theory
  • CHiLD: Current Hypotheses in Language Development
  • Introduction to Second Language Learning and Teaching
  • Philosophy of Linguistics
  • Short-form Dissertation 1: English Language and Linguistics
  • Short-form Dissertation 2: English Language and Linguistics
  • Language and Ageing
  • Advanced Second Language Acquisition
  • Laboratory Phonology
  • Medieval and Early Modern Meaning: English Historical Semantics
  • Current Issues in Linguistics
  • New Words in English
  • Dissertation/T&I Project

Opportunities

Students will spend the third year of their degree in a German-speaking country, where they can:

• study at one of the university's partner institutions
• teach English as a foreign language under the British Council assistantship programme
• take a work placement
• combine study with work placement

The university's current partner institutions in Germany and Austria include:

• Karl-Franzens-Universitat Graz
• Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
• Martin Luther Universität Halle Wittenberg
• Ruhr-Universität Bochum
• Universität Augsburg
• Universität Rostock
• University of Oldenburg

Facilities and Environment

Students will be based in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics, located in the Percy Building. The school offers:

• a library of 1.4 million books and 54,000 journals on 26km of shelving
• student common rooms, study areas, and a café
• access to Northern Stage, Great North Museum & the Hatton Gallery for events and exhibitions
• the Students' Union for shops, societies, and gigs
• a digital media lab for developing documentaries and film-making
• the School of Modern Languages' Language Resource Centre

Your Future

English Language and Linguistics students acquire a range of valuable skills that equip them to pursue diverse career paths. The training can be used in:

• teaching English as a foreign language
• publishing
• journalism
• advertising, branding, and marketing
• information services and data science

Graduates have also become:

• lexicographers
• translators and interpreters
• speech and language therapists
• social researchers
• legal sector workers (including forensic linguists)

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis, and the university accepts a broad range of qualifications.

• A-Level: ABB including German. Candidates with AS level German (minimum grade B) will also be considered.
• International Baccalaureate: A minimum of 32 points with grade 5 in German at Higher Level.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

The 2026 entry home fees have not yet been confirmed.

• Home students: Full time, 4 years, Tuition fees (Year 1) Not Set
• International students: Full time, 4 years, Tuition fees (Year 1) £24,500

The university supports EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.