English Language and Linguistics BA (Hons), with foundation year

Language shapes our experience of the world – from our social and emotional lives, to our experience of society, work, politics and culture. Immerse yourself in the nature of spoken and written language, and how it's used in everything from digital communication to forensic investigation.

You'll study how language works, including the relationships between language, the mind, and society, and how language varies through time, place, culture and identity. You'll explore the different ways people use language and what they use it for. Discover methods for analysing spoken and written language, how we learn language and how we teach it.

You'll develop sought-after skills including communication, creativity and critical thinking. You'll be taught by expert researchers and study alongside students within the School of Education, Languages and Linguistics – bringing opportunities to learn from the latest research and build intercultural relationships.

You’ll graduate with specialist expertise in language and linguistics, plus sought-after employability skills including:

• analytical techniques and reasoning
• communicating clearly to diverse audiences
• data collection and interpretation
• developing persuasive, evidence-based arguments
• problem solving 

Previous graduates are now applying these skills in a diverse range of sectors and industries. If you decide to pursue a career that’s closely related to your studies, you could apply for jobs in writing, editing or publishing. Or employ your research and analysis skills to go on to postgraduate study, in areas such as speech therapy, communication studies, law and marketing.

This degree course gives you the freedom to explore topics and find areas you're most passionate about, and the foundation to pursue these areas after graduation. Further study in forensic linguistics could open up possible careers in law enforcement, criminal justice or legal firms. You could also develop your linguistic talents to work as a speech therapist or train actors to master different dialects.

A global survey of 1000 business leaders by the Harvard Business Review [...] found that the skills most in-demand by employers are those in which Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts graduates specialise – from communication, problem solving and creativity, to research and analysis. 

Ian Diamond, The British Academy

What areas can you work in with an English language and linguistics degree?

You could work in any of the following areas:

• advertising
• education
• communication
• media
• marketing
• publishing
• technical writing
• teaching English

Graduate destinations

Previous graduates have gone onto further training and work in various fields, including:

• accountancy
• the armed forces and police
• banking
• research
• journalism
• law
• local government
• health services
• public relations and marketing
• publishing
• speech and language therapy
• teaching

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.

Placement year (optional)

After your second or third year of study, you can choose to do a paid work or research placement year. This lets you put your new skills to work while developing valuable links with employers.

It’s fantastic for your CV and will really help you stand out when applying for jobs.

We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. With mentoring and support throughout your placement, you’ll have our support to get the most from the experience.

Previous placement destinations have included:

• 7 Stars – a media company in London
• Babylangues  – a company helping infants and toddlers learn English ­in France
• HMY - translation and teaching English in France

I enjoyed the range of units that my course offered. My favourite unit was forensic linguistics, as this was something I had never covered before.

Lyncia Mande, BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics