36 monthsProgramme duration
SepStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Modern Languages
Degree
BSc
Study Level
Undergraduate
Study Mode
On Campus
Explore the uniquely human phenomenon of language from a scientific perspective. Examine how languages construct texts from sounds, how texts express thought, and how language sciences intersect with cognitive science, psychology, and computer science. This fast-moving and rapidly developing field will help you develop valuable skills in experimental methods, computing and quantitative data analysis whilst providing a gateway to careers in fields as diverse as computing, health, education and law enforcement.
Why Lancaster?
- Discover the fascinating science behind language. Choose from topics that explore language in the contexts of psychology, computing, the law and big data
- Open doors. Prepare yourself for a range of rewarding specialist careers – from forensic linguistics to speech and language therapy
- Study with the best. Linguistics at Lancaster University is ranked 2nd in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
- Learn from experts. Our lecturers are world-leaders in fields like corpus linguistics, speech and language technology and forensic linguistics
- Benefit from state-of-the-art facilities. Use our labs to investigate language by monitoring eye movements or measuring electrical activity in the brain.
- Experience a supportive environment. Our friendly staff are here to support you throughout your studies. All students are assigned an academic adviser who is there to get to know you personally and provide guidance on a range of issues.
Language is found in almost every aspect of human life, and in this course, we study it through the lens of science. You’ll be learning about how language is constructed and how it’s used for communication and expression. You'll also discover how studying language from a scientific perspective intersects with other scientific fields, such as cognitive science, psychology, computer science and forensic science.
Drawing on research conducted by our academics, you’ll explore topics such as:
- The sounds and structures of the world’s languages and the features that unite them
- The cognitive marvel of how children acquire their first language
- Computational linguistics and how machines comprehend and produce language
- The relationship between language and mind and the effect our language has on the way we see reality
A new era of languages
Generative AI marks a new era of language exploration. For the first time, digital technologies work with language data in ways that allow computers to analyse, reproduce and enter into interactions with humans in real time. Natural language and the capacity of computers to work with it are central to these changes. This exciting degree provides a gateway into these expanding worlds.
You’ll discover not only how languages are shaping the world today and the huge role that language sciences are playing in developing emerging technologies like speech recognition software, machine translation, and voice assistants, you’ll also discover how these technologies are changing both society and language itself.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Modern Languages
Degree
BSc
Study Level
Undergraduate
Study Mode
On Campus
Explore the uniquely human phenomenon of language from a scientific perspective. Examine how languages construct texts from sounds, how texts express thought, and how language sciences intersect with cognitive science, psychology, and computer science. This fast-moving and rapidly developing field will help you develop valuable skills in experimental methods, computing and quantitative data analysis whilst providing a gateway to careers in fields as diverse as computing, health, education and law enforcement.
Why Lancaster?
- Discover the fascinating science behind language. Choose from topics that explore language in the contexts of psychology, computing, the law and big data
- Open doors. Prepare yourself for a range of rewarding specialist careers – from forensic linguistics to speech and language therapy
- Study with the best. Linguistics at Lancaster University is ranked 2nd in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
- Learn from experts. Our lecturers are world-leaders in fields like corpus linguistics, speech and language technology and forensic linguistics
- Benefit from state-of-the-art facilities. Use our labs to investigate language by monitoring eye movements or measuring electrical activity in the brain.
- Experience a supportive environment. Our friendly staff are here to support you throughout your studies. All students are assigned an academic adviser who is there to get to know you personally and provide guidance on a range of issues.
Language is found in almost every aspect of human life, and in this course, we study it through the lens of science. You’ll be learning about how language is constructed and how it’s used for communication and expression. You'll also discover how studying language from a scientific perspective intersects with other scientific fields, such as cognitive science, psychology, computer science and forensic science.
Drawing on research conducted by our academics, you’ll explore topics such as:
- The sounds and structures of the world’s languages and the features that unite them
- The cognitive marvel of how children acquire their first language
- Computational linguistics and how machines comprehend and produce language
- The relationship between language and mind and the effect our language has on the way we see reality
A new era of languages
Generative AI marks a new era of language exploration. For the first time, digital technologies work with language data in ways that allow computers to analyse, reproduce and enter into interactions with humans in real time. Natural language and the capacity of computers to work with it are central to these changes. This exciting degree provides a gateway into these expanding worlds.
You’ll discover not only how languages are shaping the world today and the huge role that language sciences are playing in developing emerging technologies like speech recognition software, machine translation, and voice assistants, you’ll also discover how these technologies are changing both society and language itself.
Admission Requirements
Scholarships
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