English Language and Linguistics

A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

In your first year, you’ll study core modules introducing you to the history and structure of the English language, as well as the key concepts of linguistics and phonetics such as how speech sounds are produced, how grammars are organised and how language conveys meaning.

You’ll then be able to build on that knowledge in the following year, when you’ll learn more about phonetics and syntax in linguistics, and the social functions of language in English. At the same time, you’ll be able to choose from a range of optional modules. In linguistics, this could mean studying language and gender, language acquisition or psycholinguistics, while in English you could study the language of the media or forensic linguistics.

By your final year, you’ll be able to apply the critical skills you’ve gained to an independently researched dissertation in either subject. You’ll then choose at least two optional modules in that subject, and up to two in the other subject. Optional modules span across the full range of English and Linguistics, in areas such as language processing, language and gender, or the politics of language.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Studying and Researching English 5 credits
• Analysing English 20 credits
• English: Context, Culture and Style 20 credits
• Key Skills in Linguistics 20 credits
• Language: Structure and Sound 20 credits
• LCS Academic Essentials

Optional modules

• Language Projects 20 credits
• Language: Meaning and Use 20 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Power of Language 20 credits
• Language in Society 20 credits
• Phonetics 20 credits
• Syntax 20 credits

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• English Language Dissertation OR Linguistics Final Year Project

Optional modules

• The Life Cycle of Languages 20 credits
• Language Processing 20 credits
• Sociophonetics 20 credits

For more information on typical modules, read English Language and Linguistics BA in the course catalogue

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods so you can make the most of our tutors’ knowledge and experience. Lectures, seminars and tutorials are all part of the mix and in some cases workshops may also be involved.

However, we attach a lot of importance to building your research and critical skills, so independent study is also an important part of the degree. Support is on hand, and the University Library offers training programmes to help you get the best from our excellent library resources.

Assessment

Exams and essays are the most common forms of assessment that we use, but in some modules oral presentations and group work may also be included. We run extra classes throughout your degree on key issues like structuring an essay, public speaking and exam technique.