Linguistics and Philosophy (Placement Year)

BA Hons

  • UCAS code QV16
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 4 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 3

    3rd for Linguistics

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

  • World top three for Linguistics (QS World University Subject Rankings 2024)

  • Explore philosophy from a global perspective

We are one of the largest departments for the study of language in the country and one of the most highly rated in the world (3rd for Linguistics in the QS World Rankings, 2024).

How does language relate to thought? Studying language alongside philosophy will give you a fascinating insight into humanity. You’ll also learn about the history of philosophy and contemporary philosophical discussion. This combined degree is provided by our Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion and our Department of Linguistics and English Language.

Your first year includes introductory modules in Linguistics and Philosophy. In your second and final years you’ll study modules such as Structures of the World’s Languages, Sounds of the World’s Languages, Cognitive Linguistics and Topics in Phonetic and Phonological Theory. You will also be able to choose from a broad range of philosophy modules, including Continental Philosophy, Logic and Language, Aesthetics, and Moral Philosophy. You’ll specialise even further in linguistics too, with choices such as Psycholinguistics, Language and Social Identities and Language, Cognition and Culture.

You can also choose to write a dissertation, exploring a topic that you’re particularly interested in, and this is overseen by a member of staff from our departments who specialises in your particular area.

Your degree will stand you in good stead for careers involving analysis, assessment and the weighing-up of arguments. The linguistic, analytical and investigative skills you will have the opportunity to develop are valued by employers such as law firms, management consultancies and the media. Linguistic awareness is a real boost when working for international and multicultural companies and organisations.

Careers

The discipline needed to study both Philosophy and Linguistics will stand you in good stead for careers involving analysis, assessment and the weighing-up of arguments.

Philosophy teaches you to analyse problems from a multi-dimensional perspective, encouraging you to approach problems creatively and with an enquiring mind. Employers value these skills along with the wide range of interpersonal and communication skills that this course fosters.

Your Linguistics degree offers useful training and expertise that you can apply to a range of professions including education, language teaching, speech therapy and translation. Many of our students go into business, administration and professional services, where skills of self-expression and the critical understanding of complex information are equally valued.


Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level AAB

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,250 £24,700

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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