BA Linguistics and Sociology

The course unit introduces students to the scientific study of linguistic variation and change, also known as variationist (or quantitative) sociolinguistics. The focus is on variation and changes currently occurring in English. A number of classic and recent studies in the field are reviewed, focussing on the role of linguistic and extra-linguistic factors, such as socio-economic status, gender, age, and region, in language variation and change. The module introduces students to the use and interpretation of quantitative methods of analysis, including tests of statistical significance. Topics also include 2nd-dialect acquisition and language change across the lifespan. The course includes data collection and analysis by students and provides a foundation for further work in variationist sociolinguistics and urban dialectology.

• to learn about the ways in which the English language varies in the present, and the types of factors (both language-internal and language-external) that may condition that variation. These aims are met through exposure to a number of case studies in the literature as well as through your own data analysis;
• to learn about the effects of age, gender, social class, identity, geographical region, and internal linguistic factors on phonetic, phonological, lexical, and morphosyntactic variables;
• to learn about and experience the different methods by which sociolinguistic data can be gathered; 
• to become familiar with statistical tests and methodology for quantitative data analysis in MS Excel.

• be aware of the central issues in variationist sociolinguistics
• be familiar with and able to comment critically on the major linguistic studies within the field
• have an understanding of the standard methods using in variationist research

• critically judge and evaluate evidence
• recognize flaws in arguments and assess the merits of contrasting explanations

• analyse existing sociolinguistic data and evaluate the methodologies used in the studies within the field
• apply standard data analysis techniques and background concepts to new data

• interpret information presented in the form of diagrams, tables and graphs
• apply and interpret tests of statistical significance
• successfully conduct self-directed study and research, with appropriate time management

• Labov, William. 2001. Principles of Linguistic Change: Social Factors. Oxford: Blackwell.
• Levon, Erez. 2010. Organising and processing your data: The nuts and bolts of quantitative analysis. In Lia Litosseliti (ed.), Research Methods in Linguistics, 68-92. London: Continuum.
• Meyerhoff, Miriam. 2011. Introducing Sociolinguistics. 2^nd edition. London: Routledge
• Tagliamonte, Sali A. 2012. Variationist Sociolinguistics. Change, Observation, Interpretation. Chichester: Wiley-Backwell

Tuition fees for home students will be £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year. In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the Government fee cap, which the Government has announced will be £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year.

Government policy is to increase the fee cap on an annual basis to reflect inflation (i.e. increasing costs), and the tuition fee home students pay in subsequent academic years will reflect any increases in the Government fee cap (which we will communicate to you as soon as we can in advance of the relevant academic year).

Tuition fees for international students will be £29,200 for the 2027/28 academic year. For subsequent academic years, the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fee by up to 7% each year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our education and wider student experience.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.

Learn more about - student finance options for UK students.

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As an international student you may be eligible for our - Global Futures Scholarships. This is open to students starting their studies in September 2026.