
Modern Languages and Linguistics BA (Hons)
Course Overview - Modern Languages and Linguistics BA (Hons)
Combine your passion for speaking languages with a fascination for how they work, by studying linguistics alongside one of ten languages.
Whether you’re starting your language from a beginners’ level, or with prior knowledge, youll develop the spoken and written skills in your chosen language and explore the cultures and histories of the countries where the language is spoken thanks to language intensive learning and your year abroad.
Developing expertise in linguistics will help you navigate the uniquely complex phenomenon of language. You’ll explore language acqu...
Combine your passion for speaking languages with a fascination for how they work, by studying linguistics alongside one of ten languages.<br/><br/>Whether you’re starting your language from a beginners’ level, or with prior knowledge, youll develop the spoken and written skills in your chosen language and explore the cultures and histories of the countries where the language is spoken thanks to language intensive learning and your year abroad.<br/><br/>Developing expertise in linguistics will help you navigate the uniquely complex phenomenon of language. You’ll explore language acquisition, structure and change, the mental and social processes that shape and sustain human interaction, as well as phonetics – the study of how speech sounds are physically produced.<br/><br/>Studying a language will compliment this expertise as you’ll be able to use these linguistic concepts and theories to enhance your language learning. Your year abroad will further enhance your language learning.<br/><br/>In your final year, youll develop a project on a topic of your choice to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you have gained during this four-year degree.<br/><br/>This joint honours degree offers you teaching of the highest standard, in a research-intensive environment where enthusiastic experts and students come together to explore linguistics and languages.<br/><br/>You’ll also be encouraged to get involved in a range of activities organised by the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies and Language@Leeds.<br/><br/>We offer the following languages at two entry levels: beginners or with prior experience (eg A-level or equivalent). If you have prior experience in Arabic or Thai, please contact us before applying:<br/><br/><br/>• Arabic (from beginners level only)<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Chinese<br/><br/><br/><br/>• French<br/><br/><br/><br/>• German<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Italian<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Japanese<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Portuguese<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Russian<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Spanish<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Thai<br/><br/><br/><br/>You must include your chosen language in the ‘Further Details’ section of your UCAS application.<br/><br/>Areas of staff expertise in linguistics include: phonetics, syntax, multilingualism, child and adult language acquisition, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, language change, language and gender, discourse and pragmatics, and endangered languages.<br/><br/>Specialist facilities<br/><br/>With a variety of specialist facilities and four libraries on campus, you’ll find plenty of space for study, group work, and research.<br/><br/>Facilities for linguistic research include a recording studio and a range of equipment and resources to help with experimental and corpus-based language projects.<br/><br/>The Language Centre includes digital language labs, audio/video practice booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). The Language Zone offers excellent learning material in more than 50 languages, including online resources and advice. The Language Exchange and the Language Groups programme provide opportunities to practice with other learners and native speakers. You can also volunteer to help other learners and enhance your CV at the same time.<br/><br/>The world-class Brotherton Library is home to a wide variety of manuscripts, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research. These include rare copies of magazines and unpublished letters with materials across the range of languages that we teach, from medieval Latin to the Leeds Russian Archive. Our main library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them.<br/><br/>Our Martin Thomas Translation Labs feature state-of-the-art computing facilities for translation studies as well as Interpreter Training Suites – ideal if you are considering a career in interpreting.<br/><br/>We also have links with several institutions that support language learning on campus, such as Instituto Cervantes (Spanish), Instituto Camoes (Portuguese) and Institut Ramon Llull (Catalan).
Course Information
2 options available
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
4 Years
Start Date
23/09/2026
Campus
Main Site
Application Details
14 January
Application deadline
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
Q1R1
Institution Code
L23
Points of Entry
Year 1, Year 2
Entry Requirements
Scottish Higher
BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers - OR B in Advanced Higher and AAABB in Highers - OR AABBBB at Higher Level. Where a post-A level language route is taken, a B grade in Advanced Higher in the relevant language is required. Where Chinese or Japanese is taken, a GCSE in any modern language is required. Where any other beginner language route is taken, previous experience in language is not required.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required. This course has additional subject specific requirements. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
34
34 points overall with 16 at Higher Level. Where a post-A level language route is taken, 5 points at Higher Level in the relevant language is required. Where Chinese or Japanese is taken, a GCSE in any modern language is required. Where any other beginner language route is taken, previous experience in language is not required.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
We will consider the level 3 QCF BTEC at Subsidiary Diploma level and above in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2,H2,H2,H3,H3,H3
Where a post-A level language route is taken, H3 in the relevant language is required. Where Chinese or Japanese is taken, a GCSE in any modern language is required. Where any other beginner language route is taken, previous experience in language is not required.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
M1,M1,M2
Where a post-A level language route is taken, M2 in the relevant language is required. Where Chinese or Japanese is taken, a GCSE in any modern language is required. Where any other beginner language route is taken, previous experience in language is not required.
A level
A,B,B
Where a post-A level language route is taken, a B grade in the relevant language is required. Where Chinese or Japanese is taken, a GCSE in any modern language is required. Where any other beginner language route is taken, previous experience in language is not required.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
The WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is accepted in place of a third A-level subject at the same grade.
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Fees and funding
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