BA Latin and Linguistics / Course details

Our BA Latin and Linguistics Joint Honours course will enable you to develop your linguistic skills in an ancient language while delving into the science of language - an everyday phenomenon which impacts our lives on an individual and a global scale.

Through our course, you will explore the sounds and structure of languages across the globe, studying topics such as how languages change over time;  how children acquire their first language;  how language varies between different groups of people and across regions; how we communicate as individuals and within groups;  what languages across the world have in common and how they differ; and what happens when speakers of different languages come into contact.

With its diverse local communities, Manchester is an ideal site for carrying out research on linguistic variation and multilingualism.

We have two laboratories, where you'll have the chance to use ultrasound imaging, laryngography and eye tracking technology.

You'll also be able to learn quantitative methods and use large language corpora, skills which you'll then be able to apply to other fields throughout your life.

You will also study Latin language and literature in each of your three years of study. You can learn Latin either as a beginner or from A-level standard. There is also the opportunity to take specialist courses in Ancient History, Philosophy, Art, Archaeology and Egyptology.

Our course will help you to develop analytical and problem-solving skills. Often dealing with granular and complex data, your combination of humanities and scientific understanding will allow you to make connections across multiple fields of employment.

The course unit details listed below are those you may choose to study as part of this programme and are referred to as optional units. These are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme. Although language units may show here as optional, they are a mandatory part of your modern languages degree and you will take the units relevant to your level of language in each year of study. It is compulsory to study language at all levels of your modern languages degree. 

Placement year option  

Apply your subject-specific knowledge in a real-world context through a  placement year  in your third year of study, enabling you to enhance your employment prospects, clarify your career goals and build your external networks. 

Study abroad

You may apply to spend one semester  studying abroad  during Year 2.  

Exchange partners are offered through the international exchange scheme (eg. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore). 

Explore world-class collections 

Enjoy  unique opportunities  to explore special archived material and carry out research in a wide range of archives, libraries, museums and other research institutions in Manchester and beyond. You'll have exclusive access to the Special Collections of the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, including papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books.

Applied learning

Explore the practical application of your subject knowledge by taking part in teaching enhancement projects.

For example, some of our students have developed an online atlas of dialect variation in the UK and storyboards for the use in fieldwork.

Assessment practices in different course units vary, but our basic aim is to achieve a good balance between formal written examinations, continuous assessment, and project work.

Written examinations are held at the end of most course units. The Year 3 dissertation is a major piece of original work, accounting for 22% of the final overall mark.

The John Rylands Library

At The John Rylands Library , you'll have exclusive access to our internationally significant collections, including papyri, medieval manuscripts and early printed books such as very early copies of the Homeric poems.

Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum is The University's own award-winning facility, home to important prehistoric, classical and ethnographic collections, which you'll draw from in your learning.

You'll go behind the scenes to handle, analyse and interpret rare artefacts, including one of the finest Egyptology collections in Britain.

Our ongoing collaboration between the museum and the global work of archaeology staff offers unique opportunities for students to get involved in the design of major exhibitions.

Linguistic labs

For your Linguistics studies, we have two laboratories where you'll have the chance to use ultrasound imaging, laryngography and eye tracking technology. You'll also be able to use quantitative methods in the study of large language corpora.

Find out more on the facilities pages for Classics and Ancient History and Linguistics and English Language .