Entry requirements
Selected entry requirements English language: Candidates must be proficient in the English language, which is the language of instruction and examination at the university. Acceptable English Language qualifications include IELTS 6.5, CPE grade C, CAE Grade B or another equivalent A level: Grades BBB including a Modern Foreign Language OR English Language plus GCSE Grade B or above in a Modern Foreign Language AS level: Two AS-Levels may be accepted in place of the third A-Level. Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes. GCSE: Minimum grade C in English Language. Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University. International baccalaureate: 32 points including a Modern Foreign Language grade 6 at higher level OR English Language grade 6 at higher level. (If a modern foreign language has not been studied at higher level then either a GCSE or a language at grade 5 standard level will be required) Additional entry requirements Additional entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Course description
Course description
BA (Hons) Linguistics can be studied as either a Single Hons course or as part of a Joint Hons course alongside another subject. Single Hons Linguistics is a 3 year course and is notable for its international research reputation and the breadth of coverage across the world's languages and the spectrum of contemporary ideas about language.
Special features
We have expertise in, as well as course units devoted to, a wide range of languages and language families including the Romance languages, the Germanic languages, languages of the near east (eg Arabic and Hebrew), Iranian languages, the indigenous languages of Australia, Central and South America (e.g. Nicaragua and Peru), languages of South Asia (e.g. Nepal, India and Tibet), and Romani.
In addition we have a number of courses covering the history and present-day state of the English language.
Course content for year 1
In the first year you learn to look at language in a new way. The core course-units are designed to equip you with the skills necessary for describing and analysing the sounds, meanings and structures of language. You will study topics ranging from grammar to semantics, from phonetics to discourse analysis. Finally, you will have the opportunity to take a language course and a 'free choice' unit from the range offered across the University.
Course content for year 2
In the second year the emphasis switches to linguistic theories. You will build on your new analytical skills by considering ideas about the nature of language and models of its structure. You will study units in Syntactic Theory, Phonology, Typology and Grammatical Semantics as well as a number of specialised course-units of your choice.
Course content for year 3
Finally, in your third year you can develop interests in particular areas of the subject. We offer a very wide range of specialist options.
In addition we offer courses in the structure and description of a wide range of the world's languages and language families as well as course units devoted to general learning skills, research skills and empirical fieldwork methodology. You will also have the option of writing a dissertation where you will explore a particular topic in detail and write an extended piece of work around the subject.
If you are combining Linguistics with a modern language your third year will be spent abroad and you will complete your final year in year 4.
Career opportunities
Languages qualify you for a wide range of employment. Your high-level language skills will open up numerous paths with an international dimension (e.g. business, industry and finance). You will also have excellent all-round communication skills making you a strong contender for openings in the media, PR and similar areas.
In our experience, many graduates go straight into business services, marketing, advertising, management, banking or communications. Others opt for postgraduate study or further vocational training to become accountants, lawyers, teachers (in England or abroad) or enter the Civil Service.
