Linguistics

Course overview

Linguistics is the scientific study of language, offering insight into both individual languages and the human mind. At Cambridge, you’ll cover core areas like phonetics, syntax, semantics, and language acquisition while also drawing on disciplines such as philosophy, physics, psychology, and neuroscience. The course structure begins with a broad foundation in the first year and allows you to specialise in later years through optional papers. You’ll also complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice in your final year.

For more information about the course and its modules, visit the University website.

What is it like to study Linguistics at King’s?

Students typically have around four hours of lectures and two hours of supervisions each week, plus practical sessions. The rest of the time is spent on independent reading, writing, and research. At King’s, we usually admit one to two Linguistics students per year. Supervisions are weekly or fortnightly for each paper and offer a space to ask questions, receive feedback on written work, and engage in discussion. Supervisors may go through your essays or guide you through a tricky data set.

What do we look for in an applicant to Linguistics?

We’re looking for intellectually curious applicants with a strong interest in language and excellent analytical skills. A good applicant will be open-minded, precise, able to think logically, and enjoy grappling with unfamiliar systems. Many successful applicants have studied at least one essay-based subject and show evidence of independent thought and intellectual flexibility in interviews and written work.

Requirements

A Level: A*AA

IB: 41-42 points overall with 7, 7, 6 at Higher Level

Subject requirements: None required

Admissions assessment: To be confirmed

Written work: To be confirmed

Careers and graduate opportunities

Linguistics graduates pursue a wide variety of careers. Some enter tech fields at Google, Apple, Amazon, or speech recognition and synthesis companies; others go into teaching, speech therapy, publishing, law, or the diplomatic service. Many students also go on to postgraduate study in linguistics or related disciplines at top universities in the UK, Europe, and North America.

What is the best thing about studying Linguistics at King’s?

The combination of rigorous theory and exciting interdisciplinarity. You get to explore deep questions about language and mind with supportive supervisors, in a small and collaborative College community.

A top tip for applicants to Linguistics at King’s

Start thinking critically about the structure and use of language in everyday life. Whether it’s wordplay, dialects, or AI-generated speech, training yourself to ask and investigate how language works is great preparation for the course.