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  • Economics
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  • Physician Associate Studies
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  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
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  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

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  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise
  • Creative Writing

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  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

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  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

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  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

BA English Language and Linguistics with Foundation

  • UCAS code
    Q312
  • Typical offer
    CCD
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

Explore how language lies at the heart of human life and society, and develop core academic skills, with our BA English Language and Linguistics with Foundation degree.

This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year course. It provides an excellent route to a degree in English language and linguistics if you do not have the typical entry requirements.

Foundation year

The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed at university. You'll develop core skills in academic study, writing and research.

Your subject-specific studies will include:

  • Academic Skills, which develops your academic writing, research, referencing, critical thinking, teamwork, study techniques and study management
  • Study for Success, which helps you develop as a successful student in this field, building on your strengths and targeting key skill areas
  • Identities, which explores identity in relation to national/race identity, gender, changing identities and sense of self, examining everything from texts and objects to film and cultural documents.

You will also have the opportunity to produce an independent research project in your own area of interest. 

    Your learning will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops.

    A foundation year is more than a stepping-stone to a degree. You will also benefit from:

    • access to our full range of facilities and resources
    • full integration into university life, before your degree year begins
    • experience of an academic environment, and the ability to work independently
    • specialist support and guidance.

    Visit the Department of English Language and Linguistics website for more information.

    Following successful completion of your foundation year, you'll progress onto our three-year BA English Language and Linguistics degree.

    This course examines how language is crucial to our understanding of ourselves as members of society, as individuals, and as a species.

    At the University of Reading, you’ll join our friendly, collaborative Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics. We’re proud of our:

    • established reputation in applied linguistics. We’ve been around for more than 50 years, and offered the first linguistics degree in the UK.
    • global ranking. We place in the top 150 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023).

    • thriving research environment. 100% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

    Our experts will support you to become a highly skilled user and analyst of the English language. As well as analysing language itself and how it works, you’ll investigate:

    • language use in different social contexts and settings, including online and offline
    • how language is acquired by children and adults
    • how language is taught
    • the role of language in politics in an increasingly globalised world.

    Alongside this, you’ll develop your knowledge of grammar, phonetics and discourse analysis, and understand how language and linguistics relates to contemporary social issues, including politics, migration, gender and sexuality.

    Alternatively, you may also be eligible to join other degree programmes in the School of Literature and Languages, including:

    • BA Modern Languages
    • other joint degree programmes.

    Learning environment

    Join a friendly, supportive community, where 92% of students say that staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2022).

    We are passionate about exposing you to the forefront of English language research and practice:

    • Professor Rodney Jones, who explores how digital media changes the way we communicate online, invited students to contribute to his latest research.

    • National Teaching Fellow, Professor Jane Setter, teaches five modules – in phonetics, pronunciation and varieties of English – and feeds her research into all of them.

    You’ll be encouraged to follow your interests as they evolve with our diverse range of interdisciplinary modules, allowing you to gear your degree towards your career objectives. 

    Gain real-world experience

    In your final year, you will have the choice to complete a Professional Communication Project in lieu of a dissertation. As part of a group, you will plan and implement a project for a company or organisation. This is a fantastic opportunity to put your skills into practice, gain first-hand experience of the sector, and boost your employability.

    For example, you might conduct a research project alongside an academic, company or organisation; design promotional materials, websites, or newsletters; engage in social media marketing; or plan and execute a public event.

    Recent graduate, Hope O’Grady, shares her experience of supporting prisoners grappling with deportation notices during her work placement.

    As part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme, you may also have the chance to work with staff members on their research projects.

    We also offer a four-year version of this course, BA English Language and Linguistics with Placement Experience, which includes an integrated work placement in the third year.

    Study Abroad

    As part of your degree, you can apply to study abroad for a semester – during your second year – at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, the USA, Canada or Australia.

    Visit the Study Abroad website for more information.


    Overview

    Explore how language lies at the heart of human life and society, and develop core academic skills, with our BA English Language and Linguistics with Foundation degree.

    This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year course. It provides an excellent route to a degree in English language and linguistics if you do not have the typical entry requirements.

    Foundation year

    The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed at university. You'll develop core skills in academic study, writing and research.

    Your subject-specific studies will include:

    • Academic Skills, which develops your academic writing, research, referencing, critical thinking, teamwork, study techniques and study management
    • Study for Success, which helps you develop as a successful student in this field, building on your strengths and targeting key skill areas
    • Identities, which explores identity in relation to national/race identity, gender, changing identities and sense of self, examining everything from texts and objects to film and cultural documents.

    You will also have the opportunity to produce an independent research project in your own area of interest. 

      Your learning will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops.

      A foundation year is more than a stepping-stone to a degree. You will also benefit from:

      • access to our full range of facilities and resources
      • full integration into university life, before your degree year begins
      • experience of an academic environment, and the ability to work independently
      • specialist support and guidance.

      Visit the Department of English Language and Linguistics website for more information.

      Learning

      Following successful completion of your foundation year, you'll progress onto our three-year BA English Language and Linguistics degree.

      This course examines how language is crucial to our understanding of ourselves as members of society, as individuals, and as a species.

      At the University of Reading, you’ll join our friendly, collaborative Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics. We’re proud of our:

      • established reputation in applied linguistics. We’ve been around for more than 50 years, and offered the first linguistics degree in the UK.
      • global ranking. We place in the top 150 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023).

      • thriving research environment. 100% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

      Our experts will support you to become a highly skilled user and analyst of the English language. As well as analysing language itself and how it works, you’ll investigate:

      • language use in different social contexts and settings, including online and offline
      • how language is acquired by children and adults
      • how language is taught
      • the role of language in politics in an increasingly globalised world.

      Alongside this, you’ll develop your knowledge of grammar, phonetics and discourse analysis, and understand how language and linguistics relates to contemporary social issues, including politics, migration, gender and sexuality.

      Alternatively, you may also be eligible to join other degree programmes in the School of Literature and Languages, including:

      • BA Modern Languages
      • other joint degree programmes.

      Learning environment

      Join a friendly, supportive community, where 92% of students say that staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2022).

      We are passionate about exposing you to the forefront of English language research and practice:

      • Professor Rodney Jones, who explores how digital media changes the way we communicate online, invited students to contribute to his latest research.

      • National Teaching Fellow, Professor Jane Setter, teaches five modules – in phonetics, pronunciation and varieties of English – and feeds her research into all of them.

      You’ll be encouraged to follow your interests as they evolve with our diverse range of interdisciplinary modules, allowing you to gear your degree towards your career objectives. 

      Gain real-world experience

      In your final year, you will have the choice to complete a Professional Communication Project in lieu of a dissertation. As part of a group, you will plan and implement a project for a company or organisation. This is a fantastic opportunity to put your skills into practice, gain first-hand experience of the sector, and boost your employability.

      For example, you might conduct a research project alongside an academic, company or organisation; design promotional materials, websites, or newsletters; engage in social media marketing; or plan and execute a public event.

      Recent graduate, Hope O’Grady, shares her experience of supporting prisoners grappling with deportation notices during her work placement.

      As part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme, you may also have the chance to work with staff members on their research projects.

      We also offer a four-year version of this course, BA English Language and Linguistics with Placement Experience, which includes an integrated work placement in the third year.

      Study Abroad

      As part of your degree, you can apply to study abroad for a semester – during your second year – at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, the USA, Canada or Australia.

      Visit the Study Abroad website for more information.


      Entry requirements A Level CCD

      Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

      Typical offer

      CCD

      We welcome applicants from non-traditional educational backgrounds (for example, mature students, students who study part-time or those who have studied at International Schools in the UK or elsewhere) and will consider applicants on a case-by-case basis.

      International Baccalaureate

      24 points overall

      BTEC Extended Diploma

      DMM

      Extended Project Qualification

      In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

      English language requirements

      IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0

      For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

      Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

      For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

      Pre-sessional English language programme

      If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

      • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

      Structure

      • Modules

      We will be updating this page with module information over the coming weeks. You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

      Fees

      New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

      New international students: £22,350

      *UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

      UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

      EU student fees

      With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

      Additional costs

      Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

      Financial support for your studies

      You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

      Careers

      A degree in English language and linguistics will provide you with transferable skills for a wide range of careers. In the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-20, overall, 100% of graduates from English Language and Applied Linguistics are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation*.


      Our graduates have pursued careers in fields such as:

      • teaching, both in the UK and abroad
      • speech and language therapy
      • publishing
      • event coordination
      • journalism
      • speech writing
      • the Civil Service
      • media, including advertising, marketing and public relations
      • information technology.

      Your degree could also lead to postgraduate study in a related area.

      *Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes all English Language and Applied Linguistics responders.

      Contextual offers


      We make contextual offers for all our courses.

      Take the next step


      How to apply for 2023 entry

      Come to an Open Day

      Get a prospectus

      Ask us a question

      Chat to our students

      Related Subjects


      • English Language and Applied Linguistics
      • English Literature
      • Linguistics
      • Foundation programmes

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