BA Linguistics
Programme Code: Q100 BA/LG Duration: 3 years
Overview
Entry Requirements
- A Levels: ABB
- A Level language desirable but not essential
- IB: 34 (5/5/5)
- BTEC: DDM
- Scottish Highers: AABBB
- Scottish Advanced Highers: ABB
- Irish LC: 320 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
- Advanced Placement: 4 4 4 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
- Euro Bacc: 80%
- French Bacc: 14/20
- German Abitur: 2.0
- Italy DES: 80/100
- Austria Mat: 2.0
- Polish Mat: 75%
Minimum Entry Requirements: A language at A-level or equivalent is desirable but not essential.
Interview Policy: Candidates with ‘non-standard’ qualifications usually invited
Modern linguistics is the scientific study of all aspects of the world’s languages from their sound systems and grammatical structure through to the interaction of language with culture, the study of meaning in language, and the use of language in modern technology. Linguists try to establish what types of structures are shared by different languages and the extent to which languages may differ from each other.
BA Linguistics is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the way that languages are universally structured and trains students to master all the basic skills necessary for the analysis of different sound systems and semantics (the study of meaning in language). In addition, students may also take units dealing with language and social communication (focusing on the interaction of language and social groups), morphology (the structure of words), historical linguistics (the historical development of languages), phonetics and the structure of an African or Asian language.
Linguistics can be taken as a single-subject BA degree or a combined subject degree. In the single subject degree, students primarily study linguistics, with the option of taking up to three non-linguistic units in other departments.
Structure
In linguistics, the introductory courses introduce key concepts in semantics, syntax, phonology and phonetics, and lay the foundation for work in succeeding years when intermediate, advanced and more specialised optional courses are available. Among the introductory courses in linguistics, Introduction to Phonology and Introduction to Grammatical Structure are core courses (i.e. courses which students must satisfactorily complete and pass in the summer examinations before being permitted to proceed to the next year of their degree). Compulsory units are obligatory.
All BA Students take 4 units per year. Over the course of the degree, single-subject degree students take a minimum of 9 units in linguistics and combined subject degree students take a minimum of 5 units in linguistics.
Year 1:
Single-subject students normally take 3 units in linguistics:
General Linguistics (compulsory, 1 unit)
Introduction to Grammatical Structure (core, 1 unit)
Introduction to Phonology (core, 1 unit)
They also take 1 unit from the list of options in linguistics or 1 unit in another department.
Year 2:
Single-subject students normally take 3 half-units in linguistics:
Intermediate Phonology (core, 0.5 unit)
Intermediate Syntax (core, 0.5 unit)
Topics in Lexical Semantics (compulsory, 0.5 unit)/Language and Meaning 1 (compulsory, 0.5 unit)
They also take 2.5 units from the list of options in linguistics, or 1.5 units from the list of options in linguistics along with 1 unit in another department.
Year 3:
Single-subject students normally take 2 out of 3 advanced courses in syntax, phonology or semantics (equalling 1 full unit). These typically comprise:
Advanced Syntax (core, 0.5 unit)
Current Issues in Phonology (core, 0.5 unit)
Issues in Semantics (core, 0.5 unit)
They also take 3 units from the list of options in linguistics or 2 units from the list of options in linguistics and 1 unit in another department.
Programme Specification
Teaching & Learning
Teaching & Learning
Each unit generally involves a 2-hour lecture and a tutorial, a 1-hour small-group discussion class each week. The tutorial is intended for further discussion of points made in the lecture and for the development of linguistic problem-solving skills.
Assessment varies according to the nature of the unit. Introductory courses are assessed in the end of year exams in May/June. Other units may involve written examinations, practical tests, course work, essays or a combination of these.
SOAS Library
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Pre Entry Reading
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