BA(Hons) English Language and Linguistics
Available in Clearing
Call +44 (0)117 32 83333We have Clearing places available on this course. Call us or apply online.
Page last updated 18 August 2025
Clearing vacancies available for UK (Home) applicants only.
If you don't meet the standard entry requirements, we may still consider your application.
Introduction
Explore the complexity of language and how it relates to wider society, culture and the mind.
Why study English language and linguistics?
This degree will equip you with an in-depth understanding of how language is structured, how it's evolved and how it constantly transforms. You'll explore the science behind how people learn and process languages in their minds, and how they use language to communicate in a diverse range of contexts.
The knowledge and practical skills you'll develop have direct applications in a wide range of careers, from speech and language therapy and teaching, to marketing and communications.
Why UWE Bristol?
You'll learn from leading academics at Frenchay Campus, with plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in Bristol's vibrant culture. Our teaching team have a wide range of expertise, who all conduct groundbreaking research at the Bristol Centre for Linguistics.
Build a strong foundation in core subject areas, while developing specialist theoretical knowledge in topics that inspire you. These include discourse analysis, first and second language acquisition, language and gender, media and political discourse, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, ecolinguistics and forensic linguistics.
Each subject area provides you with opportunities for specialist training and hands-on analysis of diverse types of linguistic data, using industry-standard equipment in our linguistics lab. You'll conduct research involving local communities, take field trips and work on live briefs to put your learning into practice in the real world.
Where can it take me?
By tailoring your modules and assessment to your interests, you'll graduate ready to progress into a rewarding career of your choice. Your specialist skills in analytical thinking and solving real-world communicative problems will greatly increase your chances of being sought after by employers.
Our graduates have successfully pursued careers across a variety of industries. These range from education, speech and language therapy, marketing and market research, corporate communications, publishing, social media, speech software design, policy development, and the government intelligence services.
Personalised virtual tour
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Structure
Content
Year one
You'll be equipped with foundational knowledge in the essential areas of English Language and Linguistics. We have designed this year to suit students from different A-level backgrounds, so that English Language A-level isn't a prerequisite.
Year two
You'll build on your first-year knowledge by exploring topics in more depth. You'll tailor your module choices and assignments in line with your interests and career plans.
Placement year (if applicable)
If you choose to study on our four-year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University to complete a work placement, after Year two. The knowledge gained through this professional experience will be consolidated in a placement learning module. You can find more information in the Placements and Fees sections.
Final year
During your final year, you'll have the opportunity to specialise in key areas of study, demonstrating your academic independence.
Throughout the degree, we'll provide you with personalised guidance on career planning and suitable professional pathways.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
"My course developed my language and communication skills, which prepared me for a career in Speech and Language Therapy. I also gained voluntary experience at the Bristol Centre for Linguistics, where I supported adults with their language learning." Francesca, English Language and Linguistics graduate
Learning and Teaching
You'll learn through lectures, workshops, one-to-one tutorials and smaller discussion-based seminar groups. We'll also support you throughout the course with study skills support, writing workshops and assignment feedback meetings, as well as peer-assisted learning (PAL) sessions.
Every module is expertly designed to develop your skills in examining and analysing texts in depth. You'll learn how meaning is expressed and interpreted in spoken and written texts, how English has developed into the global language it is today, how communication varies in different settings and cultures, and you'll explore topics such as non-verbal communication, language and gender, power and identity.
We take a social and scientific approach to the study of language. You'll learn about structure (morphology and syntax, how words and sentences are built), sound (phonetics and phonology, the study of speech sounds and how they are stored in the mind), language in the mind (how language is learned and stored), and applied linguistics (in both professional and everyday life).
You'll apply the knowledge gained in lectures by participating in field trips and study visits. You will work with cutting-edge language technologies, such as our Eye Tracker system and video analysis software, and work on live briefs with our external partners.
You'll build up a compelling set of professional skills, with access to leading facilities and opportunities to work with our expert linguists and industry partners in helping to shape new thinking in the field. You'll learn to become 'enterprising', building your confidence to take your skills into many different careers.
Find out more about our academic staff, their teaching expertise and research interests.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Get involved
You can join the student-led Linguistics Society, which organises language-related talks and social events, and sharpen your skills by writing for UWE Bristol student media.
You can develop as an 'engaged citizen', getting involved in projects such as teaching English to women at Bristol's Somali Centre, or working with primary schools to develop more inclusive language policies.
Study time
You'll have 12 hours per week contact time over 24 weeks, with an additional hour for peer-assisted learning (PAL) sessions each week.
Outside of class, you'll undertake core and supplementary reading, seminar exercises, preparation and writing of assignments, as well as involvement in group presentations (in oral, poster and multimedia formats). We expect you to spend at least an equal amount of time engaging in essential independent study.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through a variety of formats, including essays, exams and portfolios. We've designed a combination of assessment types, so you'll graduate with a body of work that showcases your skills for employers.
Learn more about assessments.
Features
Placements
Students who get work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Work experience also allows you to hone your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought-after graduate.
The course includes an optional Sandwich Year placement between Years two and three. This will last at least 26 weeks and will be relevant to your subject area.
Our students have secured work and placements in schools and nurseries, speech and language therapy units, marketing departments, and English language teaching organisations in the UK and overseas.
Our award-winning careers and employability service will support you to find the right placement.
Fieldwork
You'll consolidate your knowledge on field trips and study visits. For instance, you'll explore aspects of forensic linguistics and observe how language is used during a visit to Bristol Crown Court. We'll also visit our onsite nursery to explore how children develop and acquire language.
Study facilities
You'll have access to modern study facilities on Frenchay Campus, including computer labs with specialist software for linguistics, statistical analysis, recording and transcription.
Throughout your degree, you'll receive support from your personal tutor and students at higher levels through our PAL (peer-assisted learning) programme.
You'll stay in close contact with our friendly team of teaching staff, and our student-staff forum ensures your voice will be heard.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the English, History and Writing facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Start your dream career at UWE Bristol
Life
Accommodation
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Careers
Careers / Further study
Tailoring what and how you study, you can shape the course towards your chosen career path.
An English language and linguistics degree is highly regarded by employers and our graduates are in great demand.
You could go on to advise on and write government papers, company reports or doctors' communications with patients.
Other careers are available in the media, publishing, teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), forensic science, public relations, communications, human resources, education, speech and language therapy and journalism.
Get inspired
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and help find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our Employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
Fees
Full-time, sandwich course
Part time course
Indicative Additional Costs
Supplementary fee information
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the four year course and then transfer to the three year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
Additional costs
Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
Entry
We are pleased to confirm that our New students webpages are now available for students starting this course in September 2025. Here you can find links to useful information about registering, course start dates, arriving on campus what to expect before and when you arrive.
We automatically send a message via your Welcome website plus an email to notify you once your Preparing to Study information is available. It is important that you regularly check your Welcome website for new messages.
Typical offers
You will need to meet the following Level 2 requirements:
- GCSE: Grade C/4 in English, or equivalent.
In addition to the above Level 2 qualifications, you'll need to achieve the published tariff points from your Level 3 studies prior to entry. Below is an indicative list of the main qualification types. However, we will consider any Level 3 qualifications towards meeting our entry requirements.
- Tariff points: 112
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- English Language Requirement:
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
- A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.
- EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access: No specific subjects required.
- Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
- Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
- T Levels: No specific subjects required.
Entry requirements
International applicants
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the country information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.ukInternational/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644
Unistats
UWE Campus
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Available in Clearing Call +44 (0)117 32 83333