BA English Language and Linguistics
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UCAS code
Q310 -
A level offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
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Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
Explore how language lies at the heart of human life and society with our BA English Language and Linguistics degree.
This course examines how language is crucial to our understanding of ourselves as members of society, as individuals, and as a species.
At the 澳门六合彩开奖记录, you’ll join our friendly, collaborative Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics. We’re proud of our:
- established reputation in applied linguistics. We’ve been around for nearly 60 years, and offered the first linguistics degree in the UK.
- global ranking. We place in the top 150 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024).
- thriving research environment. 100% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Modern Languages and Linguistics).
94% of students in the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics said that their course challenged them to achieve their best work very often or fairly often (National Student Survey, 2023). 100% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, responders from the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics).
Our experts will support you to become a highly skilled user and analyst of the English language. As well as analysing language itself and how it works, you’ll investigate:
- language use in different social contexts and settings, including online and offline
- how language is acquired by children and adults
- how language is taught
- the role of language in politics in an increasingly globalised world.
Alongside this, you’ll develop your knowledge of grammar, phonetics and discourse analysis, and understand how language and linguistics relates to contemporary social issues, including politics, migration, gender and sexuality.
BA English Language and Linguistics with Foundation
We also offer BA English Language and Linguistics with Foundation. This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year course, providing a route into a degree in English Language and Linguistics if you do not have the typical entry qualifications.
We are passionate about exposing you to the forefront of English language research and practice:
- Professor Rodney Jones, who explores how digital media changes the way we communicate online, invited students to contribute to his latest research.
- National Teaching Fellow, Professor Jane Setter, teaches five modules – in phonetics, pronunciation and varieties of English – and feeds her research into all of them.
You’ll be encouraged to follow your interests as they evolve with our diverse range of interdisciplinary modules, allowing you to gear your degree towards your career objectives.
Gain real-world experience
In your final year, you will have the choice to complete a Professional Communication Project in lieu of a dissertation. As part of a group, you will plan and implement a project for a company or organisation. This is a fantastic opportunity to put your skills into practice, gain first-hand experience of the sector, and boost your employability.
For example, you might conduct a research project alongside an academic, company or organisation; design promotional materials, websites, or newsletters; engage in social media marketing; or plan and execute a public event.
Recent graduate, Hope O’Grady, shares her experience of supporting prisoners grappling with deportation notices during her work placement.
As part of the Reading Internship Scheme (RIS) you may also have the chance to work with staff members on their research projects. RIS offers a wide variety of internships across a multitude of sectors, including research internships on campus or with external organisations. Internships run flexibly throughout the year – both part-time during the semester and full-time during the summer vacation.
We also offer a four-year version of this course, BA English Language and Linguistics with Placement Experience, which includes an integrated work placement in the third year.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can apply to study abroad for a semester – during your second year – at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, the USA, Canada or Australia.
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