English Language and Linguistics

Our BA English Language and Linguistics draws on Birmingham’s internationally renowned strength in applied linguistics, corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, grammar and stylistics. You will be able to tailor the programme to suit your strengths and interests and towards a wide range of careers. The skills you gain will make you a much sought-after graduate.

The study of language demands discipline, observation, exploration and imagination. Some aspects, like grammar and phonology, ask for particular attention to detail, accuracy and logical argument. Other topics, such as child language development and language variation, demand an ability to collect, analyse and evaluate your own data. Finding out how a language works and how societies communicate, combines a unique intellectual challenge with significant practical potential. You will also have the chance to use new resources, such as computer-held databases of linguistic data and you will be encouraged to embrace theoretical and technological advances in the study of language.

Why study this course?

Get a head start in the graduate market – kick start your career with our employability modules, including options that provide work experience within a sector you're interested in, letting you use your developing research skills to assist businesses in tackling real-world problems that they face in their sectors.

Broad range of specialisms to explore - Birmingham is internationally famous for its work in corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, figurative language and stylistics. You can focus on traditional aspects of the subject such as grammar, pragmatics or historical linguistics, or you can also explore newer areas such as Englishes used worldwide or English used worldwide or in digital media.

Do more than read books – take advantage of the wide-ranging expertise within our academic community and delve into the study of language in areas as diverse as advertising, traditional and online media, and clinical and health settings.

*Take advantage of our exceptional resources – including our special collections and archives in the Cadbury Research Library and the Library of Birmingham, Europe’s largest regional library.

11th for English in the Complete University Guide 2024

Top 30 in the world for English Language and Literature (QS World Subject Rankings 2024)