Linguistics (3 Years) [BA]

• 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. 

• 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. 

• 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. 

• 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.

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. 

Did you know?

• MI5 actively recruit graduates with language skills
• Past students have gone into areas as diverse as Radio Reporting, Advertising, Accountancy, Events Management, Commercial Management and International Sales.
• Graduates from The University of Manchester are amongst the highest paid in the country
• More employers recruit at The University of Manchester than at any other UK university
• The University of Manchester's Careers Service is consistently voted the best in the country by both students and employers
• The School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures is one of the largest and most diverse in the UK and has received the prestigious European Award for Languages from CiLT, the National Centre for Languages.

• The University hold open days twice a year (usually June and October) where you have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about the facilities and courses we offer.

• If your application is successful you will be invited to a visit day specifically for your area of study.  On this day you will find out more about the School and its resources, meet members of staff and current students and discuss study aims and qualifications with admissions staff.

• We do not normally interview applicants.  We make offers after carefully considering your UCAS application.