The art and science of language
Year of entry: 2023/24
Show year of entry: 2024
QQ31
Y50
3 years full-time
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2023 (semester dates)
Sign up for email updates to be the first to know when upcoming events are announced.
Discover YorkTimes and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
Of universities included in the National Student Survey 2022
Complete University Guide (2024)
A combined English and Linguistics course offers one of the most stimulating university degrees.
Applications for this course are closed to UK (home) applicants for 2023/24. Applications for 2024/25 will open in September.
Studying English will give you new ways of thinking about the world and new possibilities of expression. Studying linguistics will enable you to understand and interpret language and to learn the science behind how we communicate. Studying English and Linguistics together offers you the exciting opportunity to study both the art and science of language.
Staff in both departments are world-renowned for their research, which covers every period of history, many major languages and most literary genres, and all areas of the world.
At York, you'll benefit from being able to take TEFL modules in-house, as part of your degree. You can count the work you complete in your TEFL modules towards a qualification. This teacher training programme, also offered in-house, can qualify you to teach English to non-native speakers.
You'll benefit from our interdisciplinary research and teaching with critical thinking and transferable skills.
Studying English/Linguistics at York has given me a unique insight into the cross section between language and text. My favourite part of the course so far has been studying the 'History of English' module and learning how language has evolved since its origin. This gave me relevant background for studying Beowulf in the 'Approaches to Literature' module, which I would have lacked had I not chosen the joint honours.
Marti, English/Linguistics student
You’ll cover a range of topics on English and foreign languages, linguistics, and literatures. Our innovative curriculum offers an international outlook that takes account of global contexts.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
In the first year of your degree, we’ll introduce you to the undergraduate study of English and Linguistics. Our modules will give you the skills you need to start undertaking literary and linguistic research, and advice on how to combine the two disciplines.
Your core modules in English are designed to lay the foundation of literary study for your whole degree.
Get a feel for the shape of literary history by studying works from the medieval, early modern, eighteenth-century and Romantic, and modern periods.
Your core modules in Linguistics are designed to give you a grounding in the basic vocabulary and concepts of linguistic theory, which will form the bedrock of your future study. You will cover topics such as:
You'll study one option module:
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In the second year of your degree, you’ll choose from a range of intermediate options across English and Linguistics. Students who are planning to do either an English dissertation or a bridge dissertation in third year will also take Research Now, which prepares you for advanced research.
You will choose from the same breathtaking range of English options as our single subject students. These include Writing Now and our Intermediate Option Modules, which allow you to deepen your understanding of the relationship between literary works and the cultural, historical, and political contexts in which they were produced:
You'll also be able to choose subjects included in our World Literature modules. Options may include:
In the second year, you'll apply your core linguistic knowledge to new types of linguistic data, such as child language or regional varieties of English. At the same time, you will gain deeper theoretical knowledge in the core areas that you choose to pursue. Options may include:
In English, you will choose from the department’s Advanced Option Modules. These reflect the wide-ranging and cutting-edge research expertise of the Department, and our options cover literature from the classical period to the twenty-first century, as well as film and creative writing. Students can typically choose from around 30 options. Recent offerings have included:
You also have the option of undertaking a year-long dissertation (for which Research Now in Year 2 is required). This can either be an English and Related Literature Dissertation or a English and Linguistics Bridge Dissertation; the latter invites you to undertake a research project that brings the study of English and Linguistics together. Each version of this year-long advanced module offers you the chance to use all the research and writing skills you will have developed at York.
In your final year, you can choose freely from a wide range of modules. You will have the opportunity to become proficient in all aspects of managing small-scale linguistic projects, from identifying the research questions, to communicating the findings. You can choose to specialise, follow your own interests and carry out original research. Options may include:
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £21,950 |
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
You'll need copies of the texts set for each module. Where possible, the Department works to arrange digital copies via the University Library. Where this is not practical, you'll be instructed in advance of the start of each term about the texts and editions you'll need to purchase (whether new or second-hand).
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2023/24 throughout the year.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Get a taste of university-level study on one of York's free short courses.
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
In English, you’ll learn through a programme of seminars, lectures, workshops and one-to-one consultations. We emphasize small-group teaching, which means you’ll mainly be taught in seminars.
In Linguistics, you’ll learn through a mix of seminars, lectures, practicals and labs, as well as through independent study. Class sizes decrease as you advance through the degree. Lectures are accompanied by small-group teaching in seminars and practicals.
York’s English and Linguistics degree is renowned for its flexible and innovative approach.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 4-5 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 3 hours per week |
| Workshops | 3-7 hours per week |
| Film Screening | 0-2 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
You will be based in the Department of English and Related Literature and the Department of Language and Linguistic Science on Campus West.
Your contact hours will be divided between various locations around Campus West, including Vanbrugh College, Derwent College and the Spring Lane Building.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
The Department of English and Related Literature employs a variety of assessment methods, including group presentations and closed exams, but with a strong emphasis on essay writing. Your main mode of assessment will be essays, which will range from short exploratory exercises to more detailed discussions on a topic of your choice, to the optional 7,000-8,000-word dissertation in your final year.
The Department of Language and Linguistic Science also uses varied assessment methods, including closed and open exams, coursework, extended essays, group oral presentations, lab reports and practicals.
Both departments offer high levels of feedback and ample opportunities for you to meet with staff to discuss your written work.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 47% | 25% | 7% |
| Coursework | 53% | 72% | 93% |
| Practical exams | 0% | 3% | 0% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
Studying English and Linguistics at York will provide you with numerous career possibilities. You’ll learn presentation, language and critical thinking skills during your combined degree, and gain expertise in complex analysis and research. These skills suit a wide range of careers, from law and teaching to national and local government and the creative industries.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB including an A in English Literature (English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction, including at least 9 credits in Literature-related units, and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD with an additional A Level or equivalent qualification in English Literature at grade A |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 including D3 in English Literature |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall, with 85% in English Literature. |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points including 6 in English Literature at Higher Level. |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in English Literature has been taken. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - BBBB Advanced Highers - B in English Literature We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities, YESS, YorWay to York. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve A or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| MOOCs | If you successfully complete our online course Accents, attitudes and identity, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about MOOCs. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
.jpg)
Department of English and Related Literature, Department of Language and Linguistic Science
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
Explore campus and city life and hear what our current students have to say about living here.
Lively, full of culture and beautiful, York is regularly voted one of the best places to live and visit in the UK.
Find out more about York. Chat to staff and students and take the tour, on campus or online.
