BA English Language and Linguistics
Queen Mary University of London
About this course
BA (Hons) in English Language and Linguistics, an English Language and Linguistics degree focusing on structural analysis, language evolution and communicative practices. Core topics include Programming, Research Methods, and Fieldwork. Students master quantitative and qualitative social sciences research methods before applying them to a final-year research project. The first year covers core foundations through What is Language?, Sociolinguistics: English in Use, Sounds and sound systems, Thinking Linguistics, Myths and debates about human language, Syntax: The Structure of English, Semantics: How we make meaning, and The Psychology of Language. The second year introduces empirical methods and historical context via Research Methods for Quantitative Data, Qualitative Data: Interaction and Discourse, Sociolinguistic Variation and Change, and History of English, with optional study available in areas such as Coding for Linguists and Bilingualism and Multilingualism. The final year centres on the English/Linguistics Research Project, complemented by optional modules covering topics such as Unfamiliar Languages, Ethnography of Communication - Foundations and Fieldwork, and Experimental Linguistics.
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Entry requirements
English Language and Linguistics - BA (Hons): A-Level: Grades BBB at A-Level. IB: International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 30 points overall, including 5,5,5 from three Higher Level subjects. BTEC: See our detailed subject and grade requirements. Access HE: We consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 15 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not make offers of study purely on the basis of meeting grade requirements. GCSE: Both GCSE English and Maths at grade C or 4 or an acceptable equivalent will be required. EPQ: Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq. Contextualised admissions: Our standard contextual offer: BCC Our enhanced contextual offer: CCC More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page . Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.
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What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 99%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 91%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 40%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 280 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 65%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- What is Language?
- Sociolinguistics: English in Use
- Sounds and sound systems
- Thinking Linguistics
- Myths and debates about human language
- Syntax: The Structure of English
- Semantics: How we make meaning
- The Psychology of Language
- Research Methods for Quantitative Data
- Qualitative Data: Interaction and Discourse
- Sociolinguistic Variation and Change
- History of English
- Applying Linguistics in the Real World
- Coding for Linguists
- Bilingualism and Multilingualism
- English/Linguistics Research Project
- Unfamiliar Languages
- Sex, Gender and Language
- Ethnography of Communication - Foundations and Fieldwork
- Advanced Semantics: Puzzles in Meaning
- Language and Health Communication
- Multimodality, Media and Language
- Neurodiversity in Language Development and Cognition
- Experimental Linguistics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA English Language and Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £38,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for English language.
What do graduates of BA English Language and Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA English Language and Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London?
99% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA English Language and Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 142 UCAS points.
Does BA English Language and Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA English Language and Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.