Linguistics and Phonetics

In your first year, you’ll take core modules introducing you to the main principles of linguistics and phonetics, as well as selecting discovery modules that will give you the chance to study a subject from outside the department.

It’s all valuable knowledge for you to build upon in the following year, where you’ll only study two compulsory modules on phonetics and syntax. You’ll have free rein to choose from a range of optional modules, covering three key pathways:

• Formal analysis of language structure and sound
• Language processing, development and evolution
• Discourse studies and sociolinguistics

You’ll continue to benefit from the range of choice on offer in your final year, selecting optional modules and pursuing independent research to present in your dissertation.

Discovery modules from outside the department are also available throughout your degree – many of our students choose to learn a foreign language, but the choice is entirely yours.

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

• Language Projects 20 credits
• Language: Meaning and Use 20 credits
• Key Skills in Linguistics 20 credits
• Language: Structure and Sound 20 credits
• LCS Academic Essentials

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Phonetics 20 credits
• Syntax 20 credits

Optional modules

• Psycholinguistics 20 credits
• The Life Cycle of Languages 20 credits
• Language and Gender 20 credits
• Language Acquisition 20 credits
• Language Change 20 credits

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Linguistics Dissertation 40 credits

Optional modules

• Languages in Contact 20 credits
• Syntactic Theory 20 credits
• Representation, Identity and Control 20 credits
• Interactional Linguistics 20 credits
• Language Processing 20 credits
• Sociophonetics 20 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Linguistics and Phonetics 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

Our tutors are experts in their fields and are at the cutting edge of research. To allow you to benefit from their knowledge and experience, we use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods. They include lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops.

Independent study is also an important part of the degree, since it gives you the chance to work on your research skills and think critically about what you find. We offer plenty of support, and the University Library offers great training programmes to help you make the most of our excellent resources.

Assessment

We also use different types of assessment – normally exams and essays, but oral presentations and group work can be included in some modules too. There is support on offer: we run extra classes on issues such as structuring essays, public speaking and exam technique throughout your time at Leeds.