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    Study linguistics abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying linguistics as an international student.

    Find linguistics programs

    Explore linguistics programs abroad

    See other programs in linguistics

    Linguistics degrees abroad

    Linguistics is the academic study of language. It focuses on how and why language varies in use and meaning between different groups and social settings.

    As a linguistics student, you’ll analyze the rules, structure, and context of language, as well as looking at how it has changed over time. You’ll study how people learn to use language, develop accents, and the connection between sound and meaning.

    Studying linguistics abroad is one of the best ways to understand how people use language to communicate in different countries and cultures. You’ll be able to spot differences and similarities between language use in your home and host country, giving you a more in-depth understanding of the field.

    Linguistics program structure

    You can study linguistics as a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. You’ll learn about the core areas of the field by studying a BA over three or four years. An MA and PhD will require you to narrow your focus and concentrate on a specific branch of linguistics. These postgraduate qualifications take roughly one year and five years respectively to complete.

    If you decide to attend university in the US, you’ll select linguistics as your major. This means that you’ll spend the first two years of your degree gaining your general education, before concentrating on linguistics modules in your final two years.

    Many universities offer the opportunity to study linguistics alongside another subject, like English, psychology, or a foreign language. This is a useful way of tailoring your degree to suit your interests and ambitions.

    You’ll be taught mainly through a mixture of lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Assessment will usually take the form of essays, reports, exams, presentations, and group projects. In your final year of study, you’ll probably need to write a dissertation.

    It’s difficult to outline exactly what a linguistics program will look like because of variations between universities. However, there are some core areas of study that will appear in most courses, such as:

    • Phonetics and phonology
    • Syntax
    • Semantics
    • Sociolinguistics - gender, ethnicity, class
    • Language variation and change
    • Cognitive linguistics
    • Linguistic theory
    Linguistics program structure

    You can study linguistics as a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. You’ll learn about the core areas of the field by studying a BA over three or four years. An MA and PhD will require you to narrow your focus and concentrate on a specific branch of linguistics. These postgraduate qualifications take roughly one year and five years respectively to complete.

    If you decide to attend university in the US, you’ll select linguistics as your major. This means that you’ll spend the first two years of your degree gaining your general education, before concentrating on linguistics modules in your final two years.

    Many universities offer the opportunity to study linguistics alongside another subject, like English, psychology, or a foreign language. This is a useful way of tailoring your degree to suit your interests and ambitions.

    You’ll be taught mainly through a mixture of lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Assessment will usually take the form of essays, reports, exams, presentations, and group projects. In your final year of study, you’ll probably need to write a dissertation.

    It’s difficult to outline exactly what a linguistics program will look like because of variations between universities. However, there are some core areas of study that will appear in most courses, such as:

    • Phonetics and phonology
    • Syntax
    • Semantics
    • Sociolinguistics - gender, ethnicity, class
    • Language variation and change
    • Cognitive linguistics
    • Linguistic theory

    Types of linguistics degrees

    Best countries to study linguistics

    Best universities to study linguistics

    See all universities offering linguistics programs

    How to study linguistics abroad

    1. University & program search

      Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

    2. Application guidance

      We'll get you to the right place to start your application

    3. Visa & travel advice

      Get help after application, all the way to your first day at university

    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
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    Linguistics study abroad programs

    Linguistics undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in linguistics

    • false

      American Sign Language: Linguistics and Deaf Cultures - BA California State University, Long Beach, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,338 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 16,338 USD

      Start date
      January, August
      Show program overview about American Sign Language: Linguistics and Deaf Cultures
    • false

      Applied Linguistics - BA Portland State University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      23,709 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 23,709 USD

      Start date
      January, September, March
      Show program overview about Applied Linguistics
    • false

      Educational Linguistics - BA York St John University, UK

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      17,638 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 12,750 GBP

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Educational Linguistics
    • false

      Computer Science Linguistics and a Language - BA (Hons) Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      24,693 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 20,609 EUR

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Computer Science Linguistics and a Language
    • false

      English (Linguistics) - BA Arizona State University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      29,834 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 29,834 USD

      Start date
      January, August, May
      Show program overview about English (Linguistics)
    See all bachelor's degrees in linguistics

    Linguistics graduate programs

    Master's in linguistics

    • false

      Linguistics - MA University of the South Pacific, Fiji

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,857 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 14,857 USD

      Start date
      February, July
      Show program overview about Linguistics
    • false

      Applied Linguistics - MA University of Waikato, New Zealand

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      21,498 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 30,095 NZD

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Applied Linguistics
    • false

      Applied Linguistics - MA University of Greenwich, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      20,750 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,000 GBP

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Applied Linguistics
    • false

      Applied Linguistics - MA TESOL University of Portsmouth, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      21,442 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP

      Start date
      January
      Show program overview about Applied Linguistics
    • false

      Applied Linguistics (International) - MA University of Limerick, Ireland

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      14,989 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 12,510 EUR

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Applied Linguistics (International)
    See all master's degrees in linguistics

    Doctorate in linguistics

    • false

      Languages and Applied Linguistics - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      22,549 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 16,300 GBP

      Start date
      February
      Show program overview about Languages and Applied Linguistics
    See all doctorates in linguistics

    Diploma in linguistics

    • false

      Linguistics - PGDip Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      23,959 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 19,996 EUR

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Linguistics
    See all postgraduate diplomas in linguistics

    Future linguistics careers

    As a linguistics graduate, you’ll have plenty of career pathways open to you. Your detailed knowledge of language use, meaning, and interpretation could help you excel in a number of roles, including:

    • Language consultant
    • Speech and language therapist
    • Lexicographer
    • Languages teacher
    • Publisher
    • Public relations officer
    • Communications officer
    • Copy editor

    To pursue some linguistic careers, you’ll need to undertake specialized postgraduate programs. Speak with your university’s careers service about the best way to pursue your dream job.