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Linguistics and Modern Languages

Linguistics and Modern Languages

Linguistics studies the scientific structure, function and historical development of language. In modern languages programs, the grammar of one or more foreign languages, translation and spoken communication skills are studied together with the literature and culture of the societies that speak the language.

Law and social sciences

Example courses

Introduction to linguisticsWritten and spoken grammarTranslation and interpretingHistory of languageLiterature and culture

What do graduates do?

  • Translator
  • Interpreter
  • English as a foreign language teacher
  • Lexicographer
  • Editor and proofreader
  • Speech and language therapist
  • Diplomat
  • Public relations specialist
IN HIGH SCHOOL

Which subjects matter?

For its linguistics bachelor's (BA), UCL asks for AAB at A-level. There is no required subject, but it prefers English Language. In the IB, it also prefers English Language among the Higher Level subjects.

Example: University College London, first-year courses

  1. Introduction To Generative Grammar
  2. Core Issues in Linguistics
  3. Introduction to Childrens Language Development
  4. Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics A
  5. Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology A
  6. Introduction to Phonology

Length by country

United Kingdom
UCL Linguistics BA 3 years.
USA
A bachelor's degree is usually completed in 4 years of full-time study.
Netherlands
A bachelor's at a research university (WO) takes 3 years, 180 ECTS. At a university of applied sciences (HBO) it takes 4 years, 240 ECTS.
Germany
At a university, a bachelor's degree takes 3 years, 180 ECTS. At a Fachhochschule it usually takes 3 or 3.5 years, 180 or 210 ECTS.

Exams required for this field

College assessment United Kingdom

Cambridge Linguistics applicants go through a college assessment, and no advance registration is needed. There is no exam on the UCL Linguistics BA page.

SCHOOL EXAMPLES

Examples of schools where you can study this subject

11 schools in 6 countries. Programmes were checked on the schools’ own websites. These are only examples; every country has many more options. We choose the schools that fit your budget, documents and goals together.

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United Kingdom

King's College LondonEnglish Language & Linguistics · London
University of GlasgowEnglish Language & Linguistics · Glasgow
University of ManchesterLinguistics BA · Manchester
University of SheffieldEnglish Language and Linguistics · Sheffield

USA

Boston UniversityLinguistics · Boston
Penn State UniversityApplied Linguistics
Penn State UniversityLinguistics

Canada

McGill UniversityLinguistics · Montreal
University of Toronto ScarboroughPsycholinguistics · Toronto

Ireland

University College DublinLinguistics · Dublin

Belgium

Vrije Universiteit BrusselLinguistics and Literary Studies · Brussels

Australia

University of SydneyLinguistics · Sydney
BY COUNTRY

What to know, country by country

For each country where you can study this subject: an example tuition fee and the next step in the timeline. You can find the details in our country guides.

United Kingdom4 schoolsCountry guide
Bachelor's, international student, fields other than medicine and dentistry£27,650 to £34,670per year · 2027/28The University of Sheffield
  • 26 October to 21 December 2026

    Booking period for the January 2027 session of the ESAT, TMUA and TARA exams (for universities other than Oxford and Cambridge).

USA2 schoolsCountry guide
Bachelor's tuition$66.720per year · 2026/27Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • 7 November 2026

    SAT exam (next date 5 December 2026). Whether a school asks for a test varies by school

Canada2 schoolsCountry guide
Bachelor's, Arts, first year, full course loadC$51.530,40per year · 2026/27University of British Columbia (Vancouver)
  • 7 November 2026

    Recommended application date for the University of Toronto first review rounds (OUAC 105)

Ireland1 schoolCountry guide
Bachelor's, Business, Economic and Social Studies (BESS)€23.250per year · 2027/28Trinity College Dublin
  • October to November 2026

    For Trinity, ask study@tcd.ie whether your high school is on the direct entry list.

Belgium1 schoolCountry guide
Bachelor's, new non-EU student in 2027/28, 60 credits€12.557,70per year · 2027/28Ghent University
  • 15 November 2026

    The VUB application period opens for 2027/28 (closing date not published yet)

Australia1 schoolCountry guide
Bachelor's, Business field (guide fee, 48 credits a year)A$59.100per year · 2027The University of Sydney
  • November 2026

    Clarifying the diploma route. The Turkish high school diploma is not on the Melbourne and Sydney lists. Looking at foundation, IB, or a US diploma with SAT/ACT

YOUR OWN LIST

Let’s build your school list for Linguistics and Modern Languages together

  • We choose schools from 26 countries that fit your grades, budget and documents.
  • We gather every school’s application timeline, required documents and exam scores in one list.
  • We put tuition fees and living costs side by side.
  • We prepare your application file and personal statement together.
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is there a linguistics bachelor's in English in Europe?

Yes. Leiden University's linguistics bachelor's is in English, is taught in Leiden and takes 3 years. The program includes courses that introduce a new language such as Hittite or Leti. The school also has a linguistics option taught in Dutch.

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Is it possible to spend a year abroad while studying linguistics?

In some programs, yes. At UCL, a separate program, Linguistics (International Programme) BA, includes a year abroad. The standard Linguistics BA page does not mention a year abroad.

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LAW AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Other fields of study in this category

ElsewhereCampus ElsewhereNext
LawPsychologyInternational RelationsPoliticsSociologyCommunication and Media StudiesHistoryPhilosophyEducation

Last checked: October 2026.

Is Linguistics and Modern Languages right for you?

Let's talk about interests, strong subjects and target countries, and narrow down the subject and school options together.

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