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Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies

We are one of 24 Subject Centres funded by the Higher Education Academy
Our primary aim is to support learning and teaching of Languages,
Linguistics and Area Studies across UK Higher Education

Where can I study English Language and Linguistics in the UK?

The UCAS website has a full list of all degrees involving Area Studies. Also take a look at The Independent's A-Z of degrees. Note: All course descriptions are quotations from course websites.

If you know of any departments/institutions offering English linguistics courses not listed here please email llas@soton.ac.uk

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

B

University of Wales, Bangor
www.bangor.ac.uk/linguistics

Linguistics and the English Language
"Provides an introduction to linguistics with particular emphasis on English."

University of Birmingham
www.english.bham.ac.uk/UG/progs.htm

Joint Honours English, Pathway 2 (language)
"JH Pathway 2 is aimed at students who have obtained A level English Language or A Level English Language and Literature (combined A level) and who wish to concentrate entirely on English Language. 60 credits each year are taken in English, leaving 60 to be taken in the other subject."

Blackpool and The Fylde College An Associate College of Lancaster University
www.blackpool.ac.uk

English Language, Literature and Writing
The English Degree is a unique blend of Linguistics, English Literature and Creative writing. Students will acquire the skills in analysing a variety of literary and non literary texts and some of the writing will have a vocational bias. The subjects covered will include: Part 1 This level will focus upon text productions and analysis of elements of the text itself. Parts 2 and 3 (Years 2 and 3) These levels will look at how texts are received by an audience. It will include historical and cultural perspectives in text production.

University of Brighton
http://courses.brighton.ac.uk/crsdb_02.php?num=48

English Language Studies with Linguistics
Course run by the School of Languages and this programme has two pathways, one for native speakers and one for non-native speakers. It seems that for native speakers the course is a combination of Linguistics & Literature:

English Literature Field with English Language Studies (For native speakers of English)

The topics you will be studying as part of the degree in English Language Studies will be as follows:

  • various aspects of the sounds of English
  • words and how they convey meaning
  • the importance of grammar and syntax
  • meaning and use of English
  • how children learn English
  • how that differs from the way we learn a second language
  • how English dictionaries are put together
  • how large collections of English texts stored on a computer -known in the trade as computer corpora -can be used to find out how the language works in a variety of situations

You will have the opportunity to investigate aspects of English grammar independently in your final year and we run optional modules in the social aspects of language and media analysis."

C

University of Cardiff
www.cardiff.ac.uk/encap/

English Language Studies
This scheme is primarily intended for students with a professional interest in the English Language. It is designed in such a way as to promote awareness and understanding of the English language and its uses in various everyday communication contexts (including literature) and to develop an understanding of the principles of applied linguistics which underlie sound practical skills in relation to the professional use of the English language."

University of Central England
www.uce.ac.uk/web2/lawss/english_programmes.html

English Language and Literature
This degree is identical to BA (Hons) English except that to qualify for the title BA (Hons) English Language and Literature, students must gain a certain minimum of language credits by successfully completing language modules in the second and third years.

University of Central Lancashire
www.uclan.ac.uk/courses/ug/class/chenglishlanguagelinguistics.htm

Combined Honours Programme -(English Language/Linguistics)
English Language & Linguistics on Combined Honours at the University of Central Lancashire offers two perspectives on the study of language. It gives the overall perspective on the study of language that Linguistics brings and the focus on the English language that A-level English Language introduces. In our most recent Higher Education quality assessment our provision was rated as excellent.

E

University of East London
www.uel.ac.uk/education/linguistic

Linguistics with English Language Studies
Linguistics can be studied as a major or minor subject, or as half of a joint degree.

Linguistics as a major can be combined with English Language Studies as a minor to form a BA Honours programme with a specialist focus on the study of English Language (Q1QH)

The Linguistics programmes have a strong socio-linguistics and applied linguistics orientation. They have been designed to enable students to develop their skills of linguistic analysis and description through the study of particular contexts and areas of language use. Assessed work takes many forms, with the emphasis on students developing a range of research skills and an awareness of the interaction of theory and research in the discipline.

The English Language Studies pathway has been devised to respond to the implications of the status of English as a world language'. This is a completely new phenomenon - never before has there been a single language that is so widely known and used. In the first year of the courses there are units designed especially for speakers of English as an additional language to develop their skills and understanding of English to a high level. In years two and three units deal with such issues as regional varieties of English, the complexities of using English for cross-cultural communication, and the many different contexts in which English is used, for example, in business and in the law.

Edge Hill University
www.edgehill.ac.uk/Faculties/HMSAS/english/index.htm

English Language and Linguistics

Language teaching in the department aims to give students a firm grounding in the core skills of formal linguistic analysis. Level 1 students are also introduced to a broad range of topics within the field of language study, such as Child Language Acquisition, Bilingualism and Semantics.

At level 2 and 3 the one semester modules currently offered include:

  • History and Development of English
  • Approaches to Sociolinguistic Variation
  • Language of Shakespeare and his Time
  • Child Language Acquisition
  • Analysing Discourse
  • Early English
  • Phonetics and Phonology
  • Modern English Structure and Usage
  • Regional Varieties of English
  • Computers and English language Research
  • Words
  • Language and Education
  • Language and Gender
  • Language and World Development
  • Communicating SexualityEnglish in Contact Bilingualism Literary Stylistics Linguistic Ethnography TESOL Forensic Linguistics
  • The English language in Typological Perspective Language and Identity Language, Nation and Conflict
  • and a two semester Language Dissertation.

University of Edinburgh
www.englang.ed.ac.uk

English Language and Linguistics
Information below on the English element of this combined honours programme. Linguistics is taught in the dept of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics while English Language is taught in the Department of English language.

English Language (Single or Joint Honours)
First Year
The first year course introduces the shape of present day English, including regional and social variation and students also learn to describe the sounds and structure of the language.
English is covered from a historical perspective, particular attention being paid to the 16th and 17th centuries and how we can discover what it was like

Second Year
In second year the structure of the language at earlier stages of its development is studied in more depth with a series of lectures on Old and Middle English.
The syntax of the modern language is also explored further and developments from the 18th Century to the present day are investigated.
Students study stylistics in which we look at the relationship between form and effect, particularly in written texts using prose and poetry examples.

Third and Fourth Year
In the 3rd and 4th years of a degree, students must choose from a wide range of options. Single Honours students must take 14 half-courses and write a Dissertation on a topic relating to English Language in which they have an interest. There are variations in Joint Degrees as to how many courses from each subject are taken and some Joint Honours students can also elect to write a dissertation.

University of Essex
www.essex.ac.uk/linguistics/ugops/ell/ellengsyll.shtm

English Language and Linguistics
BA English Language and Linguistics offers the chance to look in considerable detail at the structure of English - its sounds, words and sentences.  It is weighted more heavily towards theoretical linguistics than the BA English Language, while still providing opportunities for exploring sociolinguistic issues.

G

University of Glamorgan
www.glam.ac.uk./courses/detail2.php?id=2200&sfrom=easy&dosommat=all&year=2005

Language and Communication
This course provides the opportunity to study language from many perspectives As well as looking at the structure of english.This course examines the ways in which language reflects and helps to construct our identities and relationships with others.

University of Glasgow
www.arts.gla.ac.uk/SESLL/EngLang/ug.htm

English Language
The Department offers a full four-year undergraduate course in English Language. Levels 1 and 2 are non-Honours courses, usually taken in the first two years of the MA curriculum alongside other subjects.

University of Gloucester
www.glos.ac.uk/subjectsandcourses/undergraduatefields/ez/index.cfm

English Language
The course begins with an introduction to the nature and structure of language. Students move on to engage with social, historical and psychological aspects of language use, and to explore their own language-worlds through practice-based modules.

H

University of Hertfordshire
http://perseus.herts.ac.uk/courses/humanities/
humanities-modular-programme-english-language-and-communication.cfm

English Language & Communication
This course offers you a modern, systematic study of language: its nature and how it is used. The study of this fundamental human attribute raises questions central to our understanding of mind and society. You will explore questions about the nature of language itself, how it is acquired, how it differs from other forms of communication, how it functions in society, and such critical issues as language and power, and sexism in language.

First year courses introduce students to linguistic study and seek to demonstrate the wider significance of the discipline and its practical usefulness. The second year broadens the theoretical and descriptive bases, and the final year is largely interdisciplinary and applied, with a strong vocational emphasis to the courses, which include clinical linguistics, psycholinguistics and English as a foreign language.Students can take a sandwich year abroad as part of this course.

University of Huddersfield
www.hud.ac.uk/courses/undergrad/ipp_pages00000507.htm

English Language

K

University of Kent
www.kent.ac.uk/secl/elu/

Joint Honours in English Language and Business
Single Honours in English Language

  • (with Linguistics)
  • (with English and American Literature)
  • (with Comparative Literary Studies)
  • (with Philosophy, or History, or Politics)

 

The BA programme at Kent approaches the broader study of English language through linguistics, philology, literature and cultural studies. It combines a balance of theory and practical application, with close analysis of language and related fields within the challenging context of cultural, political, philosophical and literary themes. Its main concern is choice, and interpretation, of words in various contexts such as the media, literature, work and power negotiations and everyday conversation. However, it also gives students the opportunity to analyse the constituent parts of speech such as speech sounds, word classes, sentence and discourse structure, to develop writing skills and to engage with an eclectic body of challenging and stimulating literary, discourse and cultural theory. Modules on English Language Teaching are also available. Students’ studies are organised around a specific academic pathway which they select on application and which are followed in parallel with English Language modules. All of the pathway disciplines complement and enhance the academic study of English Language and its related areas. A joint honours programme in Business and English Language is also available.

King's College London (University of London)
www.kcl.ac.uk/ugp05/programme.php?getid=156

English Language and Communication
The programme is for those with an interest in the English language and linguistics, including some or all of the following:

  • how to describe, analyse and research language
  • the study of English as a medium of communication in the contemporary world
  • the relationship between language, society and culture
  • the teaching and learning of English as a foreign and/or second language
  • the use of English and other languages in multicultural communities.

Kingston University
www.kingston.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/q302.htm

English Language (Applied) & Linguistics
This course gives you the chance to discover the power of language in all its various contexts. Language and linguistics at Kingston is an 'applied' course, so you focus on the way language is used in the real world rather than theories alone. You will study the structure of the English language, its history and how it is used in society - for example, language and communication in the workplace. The course will develop your ability to weigh up issues and analyse problems relating to language and communication in contemporary society.

L

Lancaster University
www.ling.lancs.ac.uk

English Language and Linguistics
In your first year you will take English Language and Linguistics and one other first-year subject freely chosen.

In your second and third years you take a core "methodology" course as well as three compulsory full-unit courses covering theoretical linguistics and cultural aspects of English. The remainder are chosen from the extensive range of courses offered by the Linguistics Department.

University of Leeds
http://tldynamic.leeds.ac.uk/ugcoursefinder/2004/prospectus3SQL.asp?prog_id=928&recurse=1

English Language
This new course offers an opportunity to study the structure, use and development of the English language. In year 1 you will acquire the knowledge and learn the skills needed to analyse the basic levels of English. In years 2 and 3 you will take some core modules but will also have the opportunity to develop your own interest in specific areas such as dialectology, world Englishes, lexicology, and discourse analysis.

Liverpool Hope University College
http://prospectus.hope.ac.uk/eProspectus_Client/ShowSearchResults.asp/04U69

English Language (not single honours)
English Language can be studied:
as part of a BA Combined Honours degree programme with another pathway, or alongside Professional Studies in Education leading to a BA (QTS) with Honours / BA (QTS) with Honours (Subject Leader) three/four year degree programme.

M

University of Manchester
www.manchester.ac.uk/degreeprogrammes/undergraduate/UMBF1-H1Q1Q3.htm

English Language
Offers you access to the full range of English language studies (theoretical, descriptive, and applied) and the opportunity for a broad-based study of English linguistics. In addition BA (Hons) English Language gives you the skills required for analytical language study alongside the means to apply those skills to the development of your degree.

London Metropolitan University
www.londonmet.ac.uk/ugprospectus/courses/english-language-studies.cfm

English Language Studies
English Language Studies explores the structures and effects of non-literary language, develops your powers of analysis and reflection and extends your experience of genres, styles and registers through the acquisition and application of communication skills, both oral and written.

Middlesex University
www.mdx.ac.uk/subjects/emc/cml

Communication and English Language Studies
Our innovative, new single honours degree gives you a broad based lingistics and communications education.

N

University of Newcastle upon Tyne
www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/course/Q302/profile/1016728274

English Language
This degree explores the English language (and the concept of language) from various points of view. You cover topics in language and linguistics but also have the chance for some literary study.

O

University of Oxford
www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/courses/engl.shtml

English Language and Literature

Oxford Brookes University
www.brookes.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/ell

English Language and Linguistics
English Language and Linguistics will appeal to you if you have a keen interest in language and you wish to include a strong international dimension in your degree. It has been designed for students for whom English is a second language as well as those for whom English is their native language. In either case it will enable you to develop an advanced knowledge of language as a system and as a social medium of communication.

P

University of Portsmouth
www.port.ac.uk/courses/coursetypes/undergraduate/BAHonsEnglishLanguageAndLiterature

English Language and Literature

R

University of Reading
www.rdg.ac.uk/AcaDepts/cl/slals/baaels.htm

Applied English Language Studies
In Applied English Language Studies, academic research is brought to bear upon language-related problems: at work, at play, in relationships, in the media, in education, in politics. You will learn how to analyse critically the use of English in the contemporary world, and its changing relationship to other languages.

As a foundation, your course provides you with the skills to describe the sounds, writing system, structures, and meanings of English. You will also learn a wide range of up-to-date techniques for data collection and analysis. You then apply this knowledge to the study of real-world problems in a wide range of contexts.

Roehampton, University of Surrey
www.roehampton.ac.uk/ug/ell

Can be combined with one other subject (there are 53 choices):

English Language and Linguistics
In your first year you'll study Introduction to Linguistics (looking at the sounds and structure of language), Language, Society and Power (introducing a wide range of socio-linguistic issues), Hands-On Language (a practical project in which you'll collect and analyse your own linguistic data) and Meaning in Language (an introduction to how words make sense).

In your second and third year, core courses will give you both broad and detailed knowledge of significant areas of language studies, training you in language analysis and in critical evaluation of a range of theories related to the field. Our core courses include History of the English Language, English in its Social Context, Discourse and Conversation Analysis and Phonetics and Phonology. Topic courses focus on specialised areas of language study; those on offer currently include Language Acquisition, Language in the Media, Language & Gender, The Linguistics of Sign Language, Pidgins and Creoles, Forensic Linguistics and Psycholinguistics.

S

University of Salford
www.salford.ac.uk/course-finder/course/88

English Literature with English Language

University of Sheffield
www.shef.ac.uk/p/prospectus/coursedetail.php?courseid=127

English Language with Linguistics
The Department offers two different Single Honours degree courses in English Language, representing both the historical and the modern dimensions. Both degrees also include some contact with linguistics, which is described in the Linguistics section.

The Department also offers Dual Honours degrees with English Language. In Dual Honours degrees listed with English, you can choose modules from English Language as well as from English Literature. A degree in English Language and Linguistics will give you the analytical and transferable skills and attention to detail required for a wide variety of careers.

College of St Mark and St John
www.marjon.ac.uk/courses/course_info/ba_english_language_linguistics.asp

As part of a modular degree scheme (always combined with one other subject of which there are 17 combinations) e.g.

English Language and Linguistics with Education St
English Language and Linguistics with English Lit
We aim to equip our students with the knowledge and skills they need in order to understand and describe the following:

  • The structure of the English Language
  • Writing in English, and various types of English text
  • Spoken English in a range of contexts
  • Methods of analysing discourse, both spoken and written
  • The way English is used in different situations
  • How English has changed through the centuries
  • Different English dialects
  • The processes involved in learning a language

We welcome students from all backgrounds. If you are studying A Levels, we are interested in a variety of subjects, and do not only consider those of you doing A Level English Language or Literature. We have found that other subjects like History, Law, Maths, French, German or Politics, are just as effective in preparing students for our programme.

University of Sunderland
http://my.sunderland.ac.uk/web/schools/adm/undergraduate_programmes/english/elanglit?elanglit

English Language and Literature
The aim of this degree is to give you the necessary knowledge and skills to critically and independently analyse a variety of culturally produced texts from both literary and linguistic perspectives. You'll be given a secure grounding in both the study of language and the study of literature, and will have the opportunity to look at a variety of forms of English in practice, ranging from the likes of Shakespeare to J.K. Rowling to conversational interaction. Particular attention is paid throughout the degree on analysing the nature and functions of the English language in both literature and society.

University of Sussex
www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/publications/ugrad2004/englishlanguage_details.html#QQ31

English Language and Linguistics
The English Language and Linguistics degree offers you the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the workings of human language in all of its various forms, and leads you to an awareness of the relationship between linguistics and every other aspect of human behaviour. You will study English language and come to understand how historical and social factors have shaped its development. You will also investigate the various ways in which different social and cultural groups use English. You will receive tuition in all of the main areas of English language and linguistic study (e.g. sound, meaning and grammar) and have the opportunity of developing the analytical skills necessary for the investigation of all levels of linguistic knowledge and language use. Questions you will address in this programme include: how do children acquire language? How is language related to thought? What has led to the emergence of English as the world's leading international language and what has been the influence of English on other languages?

University of Swansea
www2.swan.ac.uk/courses/languages/english_language/index.htm

English Language Studies

W

University of Westminster
www.wmin.ac.uk/page-1582-coursecode=5060

English Language, Linguistics and Literature combintations

University of Wolverhamton
http://asp.wlv.ac.uk/CourseFinder.asp?id=11029&type=1

English Language
This degree in English Language offers an opportunity to pursue the study of language at undergraduate level. It is an interdisciplinary degree, drawing on English Language, Linguistics, Media and Philosophy. If you combine it with TESOL (Teaching of English to Speakers of other Languages), it can give you an internationally recognised teaching qualification.

Y

University of York
www.york.ac.uk/depts/lang/ugrad

English Language and Linguistics

York St John College
www.yorksj.ac.uk/apps/Site/Prospectus/default.asp?Course_ID=143

Language and Human Communication
Typical Level 1 modules:

  • What is Language? Key Concepts
  • Phonetics and Phonology
  • History of English
  • Evolution of Language
  • Semantics and Pragmatics
  • Discourse of Soaps
  • Syntax and Morphology
  • Analysing Language in Context
  • The Language of Humour
  • Language Varieties
  • Modern Foreign Language(s) (optional)

Typical modules at Levels 2 and 3 are:

  • Sounds and Structures: Generative Approaches to Language
  • Typological Linguistics
  • Words
  • Analysing Talk
  • Multilingualism
  • Language in Education
  • World Englishes
  • Language and Mind
  • Language and Text
  • Language and Gender
  • 20th Century Approaches to Language
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Corpus Linguistics
  • Language & Human Communication in the workplace (work placement module at Level 2).