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Linguistics and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Birkbeck, University of London

Degree level: Undergraduate
Awarded by: University of London

Linguistics and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish)

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Birkbeck, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

18Jan
Birkbeck, University of London - Undergraduate open day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Would you love to become a highly proficient linguist while at the same time developing an understanding of how language works? As the science of language, linguistics studies everything to do with language, including how language is structured, how it develops in children, the ways in which it reflects society and culture, how it defines individuals and groups, and how it changes over time. Our Certificate of Higher Education in Linguistics and Language offers you the opportunity to learn about the central ideas and concerns of contemporary linguistics at one of the world’s top research-intensive universities. You will also learn a language from beginner level (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean or Spanish), which will enable you to communicate in a variety of social and work situations. No prior knowledge of the language is required. The course has six possible routes, so that you graduate with one of the following awards based on the language you choose to study:

  • Certificate of Higher Education Linguistics and French
  • Certificate of Higher Education Linguistics and German
  • Certificate of Higher Education Linguistics and Italian
  • Certificate of Higher Education Linguistics and Japanese
  • Certificate of Higher Education Linguistics and Korean
  • Certificate of Higher Education Linguistics and Spanish
This course has an evening timetable with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening. Highlights
  • Applied linguistics has been taught at Birkbeck since 1965, so you will be taught by experienced specialists from a centre of teaching and research excellence.
  • Ours is a community of scholars with shared interests in interdisciplinary topics and cross-cultural research. Our affiliated research centres, the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies (CFFCS) and the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS), provide an important platform for this exchange.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in publishing, education, policy-making or language education. Possible professions include:
  • translator
  • English as a Foreign Language teacher
  • publishing copy editor/proofreader
  • civil service fast-streamer
  • editorial assistant.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

The linguistics subjects are assessed entirely by coursework, mainly in the form of essays. The language components are also assessed by written work, as well as by unseen examinations.

How to apply

To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience as presented in your application, and on interview. No prior knowledge of the language you wish to study is required.

Additional entry requirements

Admission tests

Institutions Own Test (IOT)

There is a written test and some applicants may be asked to attend an interview.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £4125 Year 1
Northern Ireland £4125 Year 1
Scotland £4125 Year 1
Wales £4125 Year 1
International £4125 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Linguistics and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS