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BA English Language and Linguistics

Start date
September
Duration
3 years
UCAS code
Q310
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Fees

Annual tuition fees for 2025/26:
£9,535 (UK)
£25,520 (International)
More detail.

Studying an undergraduate BA English Language and Linguistics degree at the University of Birmingham offers you a diverse discipline that develops your intellectual analysis, critical thinking and effective communication: all skills very much sought-after by employers.   

Tailor your programme to suit your interests and discover how societies communicate and how language shapes our experience of the world around us through our exciting modules. Explore subjects including the use of language in social media or business, systems of animal communication, and teaching English as a Foreign Language.    

Combine your theoretical study with practical work by learning how to use computer-held databases of language (corpora) to better understand how language is used in different contexts. You will delve into the technological advances in the study of language, getting you graduate-ready for roles in sectors as varied as education, healthcare, government, marketing, the media and publishing around the world.  

International undergraduate scholarships available in the College of Arts and Law

We are proud to offer 10 scholarships to international students in the form of £3,000 tuition fee awards for year one entry only.

Learn more about our scholarships and apply

One of the best things about studying English Language is the friendliness of the department and academic staff. It's a great community where you get to know the academics and your course mates from the very beginning, making your degree so much better.

Emily

Why study this course?

Our undergraduate BA English Language and Linguistics degree is for you if you want to:

  • Explore a broad range of specialisms – we're internationally famous for our work in applied and corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, figurative language and stylistics. Focus on traditional aspects of the subject such as grammar, pragmatics or historical linguistics, whilst also investigating newer areas such as Englishes used worldwide or in digital media. 
  • Do more than read books – take advantage of the wide-ranging expertise within our academic community and delve into the study of language in areas as diverse as advertising, traditional and online media, and clinical and health settings. 
  • Access exceptional resources – including the Cadbury Research Library, our Linguistics Research Laboratory and the Library of Birmingham, Europe’s largest regional library. 
  • Get a head start in the graduate market – kick start your career with our employability modules, including options that provide work experience within a sector you're interested in, letting you use your developing research skills to assist businesses in tackling real-world problems that they face in their sectors. 
  • Join a welcoming and sociable department – as well as having access to regular 1-to-1 opportunities with our supportive academics and alumni networking events, you can join the English Language and Linguistics student society and take part in a range of social and wellbeing activities, getting to know your fellow students with quizzes, sports matches and a summer ball. 

 

Modules

Please note: You will take 120 credits of modules in each year of study. The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2025. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

First year 

Compulsory modules

  • Applied Linguistics
  • Fundamentals of Language: Grammar and Discourse
  • Fundamentals of Language: Sounds and Words
  • Investigating Language
  • Professional Communication 
  • Theories of Language
  • Thinking, Reading and Writing at University 

Detailed descriptions of first year compulsory modules

Second year

Compulsory modules 

  • Professional Research Skills for Linguists
  • Structure of English

Optional modules 

  • 80 credits of optional modules

Detailed descriptions of second year compulsory modules and list of optional modules

Year Abroad

You can apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world. If you achieve a grade of 2.1 or above in your first year, you will be eligible to apply for a Year Abroad in your second year. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year.

More about a Year Abroad

You can also apply to study Computer Science for a year during your third year, before returning to us for your final year.

Final year

Compulsory module

  • English Language Dissertation

Optional modules 

  • 80 credits of optional modules, including, if you wish, a work-based placement module 

Detailed description of final year compulsory module and list of optional modules

Fees

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time. Visit our tuition fees page for more information.

Fees for 2025/26 are as follows:

  • UK: £9,535
  • International: £25,520

Eligibility for fees can be verified with Admissions. Learn more about fees for international students.

For further information on tuition fees, living costs and available financial support, please see our pages on undergraduate fees and funding.

Tuition fees when studying abroad

For those spending a whole academic year abroad (where available):

  • Students who are classed as UK for fees purposes are required to pay 15% of their normal annual tuition fee
  • Students who are classed as International for fee purposes are required to pay 50% of their normal annual tuition fee

For those studying abroad for just one semester (where available), normal annual tuition fees apply.

Note - Study abroad opportunities vary between courses; please see the course description for details of study abroad options offered.

How To Apply

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
AAB
Required subjects and grades:
A level in English Language, English Literature, English Language and Literature or a Modern Foreign Language is preferred. We also welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate an interest in and an aptitude for the study of language, so other combinations of complementary Humanities and Social Science subjects will be considered. Please contact us to discuss.
General Studies:
Not accepted.

IB Diploma:

*If studying either higher level English Language / Literature / Language and Literature / a Modern Foreign Language: 6,5,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall.

*If not studying the above higher level subjects, but are studying at least two of either higher level Psychology / Sociology / History / Geography/ Philosophy / Law / Maths: 6,6,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall. 

BTEC qualifications:

  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus a B at A level in the required subject/s mentioned above.
  • BTEC Diploma: DD, plus a B at A level in the required subject/s mentioned above.
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A level, including the required subject/s mentioned above.

Other qualifications are considered - learn more about entry requirements.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

We welcome applications from international students and invite you to join our vibrant community of over 4500 international students who represent 150 different countries. We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

Support

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham. 

Personal tutors – You will be assigned your own personal tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.

Wellbeing Officers –You will also have access to dedicated wellbeing officers who provide professional support, advice and guidance to students across a range of issues. They can meet with you to discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, or to talk through any problems you might be experiencing, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond if you need it.

Our Academic Skills Centre helps you to become a more effective and independent learner through a range of high-quality support services. The centre offers workshops on a range of topics, such as note-taking, reading, academic writing and presentation skills.

The Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) provides guidance on writing essays and dissertations if you need it. You can receive individual support from an academic writing advisor and meet with postgraduate tutors who specialise in particular subjects too.

Our Student Experience Team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, study skills support, and help you prepare for your post-university career. They also organise social events, including trips.

Teaching staff

Students at the University of Birmingham are taught by a mixture of professors, senior lecturers, lecturers and doctoral researchers, thereby receiving a rich diversity of academic knowledge and experience. Many of our teaching staff have published important works about their areas of expertise, whilst others have taught at international institutions and can offer unique perspectives of their subjects.

You can find out more about the members of staff (including their qualifications, publication history and specific areas of interest) in their academic profiles linked below.

 

Contact Hours

All Birmingham degrees are set within a credit framework designed to measure your academic achievements. We expect all students to accumulate 120 credits in each full year of study which is equivalent to 40 hours of learning a week. Learning is considered to include contact learning (lectures and seminars), private study, revision and assessment.

For this programme, those 40 hours are estimated to be broken down and split into lectures, seminars and other guided teaching opportunities and then independent study. This is a general rule across the entire academic year and may change week by week.

  • Year 1: 20% Lectures, seminars or similar and 80% Independent study
  • Year 2: 15% Lectures, seminars or similar and 85% Independent study
  • Year 3: 10% Lectures, seminars or similar and 90% Independent study

Assessment Methods

Assessments - you will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you transition to a new style of learning. At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed. Assessments methods will vary with each module and could include:

  • coursework, such as essays
  • group and individual presentations
  • and exams

Feedback - you will receive feedback on each assessment within three weeks, so you can learn from each assignment. You will also be given feedback on any exams that you take. If you should fail an exam, we will ensure that particularly detailed feedback is provided to help you prepare for future exams.

Studying for an English Language BA at the University of Birmingham is an unparalleled opportunity to engage with a diverse cultural, textual and linguistic discipline, whilst also developing skills in intellectual analysis, critical thinking and articulate expression.

These are skills that last a lifetime and qualify you for many possible careers. 

The structure of the English Language programme allows you to pursue many potential career areas by developing relevant skills and expertise that will be relevant to future employers. You will acquire practical skills that you will find just as useful in your future career including oral presentation, professional documentation, group work and the uses of information technology.

English Language graduates from the University of Birmingham have excellent prospects after graduation. Our graduates have started careers with employers including media companies, educational institutions, local councils, publishers, charities and a wide range of large commercial organisations, in roles such as marketing coordinator, editorial assistant, creative advertising account executive, recruitment consultant and parliamentary caseworker. Many pursue postgraduate study to specialise in an academic area or prepare for careers such as law and teaching.

Developing your career

The University of Birmingham is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits, according to The Graduate Market 2024 report. Our Careers Network are here to offer you tailored, expert advice on your career plans and support you with finding and applying for jobs, internships and further study. There are hundreds of events to help you meet potential employers and learn more about the breadth of opportunities and career sectors available to you.

Support will be offered to you covering the whole job application process, including CVs, LinkedIn, application forms, interviews and assessment centres.  You can also email our experienced Careers Advisors and College Teams to review your applications or answer any careers related question, alongside our on campus and online 1:1 appointments.

We have a number of exclusive work experience programmes such as our B-Experienced programme, which will give you professional experience to set you apart in the graduate market. We also offer work experience bursaries, which allow you to apply for funding to support you during any unpaid internships in the UK and rest of the world.

First years can take part in The Birmingham Project, with themes including celebrating arts and culture and shaping a global society. There’s also a successful Mentoring Programme, where you can gain access to experienced Mentors who can empower, inspire and inform you about their experiences.  As a University of Birmingham student you will also be given access to LinkedIn Learning giving free access to real world training courses to kick-start your careers.

If you want to earn money WorkLink advertises convenient part-time job opportunities on campus to fit round your studies.  

Extra-curricular activities

To enhance your career prospects even further, you may want to engage in extra-curricular activities to broaden your skills and your network of contacts. The Birmingham Award is the University of Birmingham’s employability programme, supporting you to develop and recognise the attributes you gain through extra-curricular activities. The award is supported by graduate employers and offers you an opportunity to showcase participation in activities outside of your degree programme.’

There are 300+ student groups and volunteering opportunities offered by the Guild of Students (our Students’ Union) so you’re bound to find activities that you want to be involved in whilst meeting friends who share your interests.