BSc_ MSci Linguistics Programme Specification 2024-25

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2024-25
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5	Programme Title			BSc Linguistics, and MSci Linguistics
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2024			Award type			BSc and MSci
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9	What level is this qualification?			Level 6			Length of programme			3 years/ 3 +1 years
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11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full Time
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13	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes			For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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15	Awarding institution			University of York			Board of Studies for the programme			Language and Lingistic Science
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17	Lead department			Language and Lingistic Science			Other contributing departments			N/A
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19	Language of study and assessment			English			Language(s) of assessment			English
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21	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus-based
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23	Partner organisations
24	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
25	N/A
26	N/A
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28	Reference points
29	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
30	Institutional Framework for Taught Programme Design, sections 2-4 for high-level guiding principles Undergraduate Programme Design Policy, section 2.1 for Integrated Masters design, s3.2 in decided obligatory modules, s4.4 on capstone projects in Stage 4, s5.2 on allowing electives in each stage
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33	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
34	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
35	No
36	No
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38	Exceptions to Regulations
39	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
40	No
41	No
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43	Internal Transfers
44	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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46		Transfers in:	From BA Linguistics and BA English Language and Linguistics, in stage 2 semester 1				Transfers out:	To BA Linguistics at any point To BA English Language and Linguistics (either requiring dip down in stage 2, or waiving requirement for Structure of English in stage 1)
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49	Statement of Purpose
50	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
51	BSc Linguistics is the scientific study of the human capacity for language, a trait which distinguishes our lineage from that of the (other) great apes. Humans can uniquely express a potentially infinite number of thoughts using finite means, and how the brain is able to accomplish this is a fascinating and difficult problem. The BSc Linguistics programme allows students to focus on theoretical, experimental and data science approaches to analysing the human language ability. All students will be provided with the necessary theoretical, quantitative and computational skills. Studying the BSc Linguistics at York will allow you to explore the questions that are central to the study of language and take you on an exhilarating journey of discovery, guided by some of the world's foremost experts. You will learn the the basic facts about language and its structure and progress to the cutting edge of current research in large-scale linguistic comparison and the relevance of brain imaging in constructing linguistic theories. You will learn about the sound systems of languages, their morphology and syntax, how meaning is built and how we can go, step by step, from the smallest aspect of sound to the meaning of a whole discourse. You will learn to deal with controversial proposals, weigh up the evidence and the quality of the arguments and evaluate hypotheses. Some of the big questions you will address are: - How is language processed in the brain? - What structures and properties do all languages, and therefore all humans, share? - How can data science and computational methods aid us in analysing language? - To what extent can languages differ in their structure? - How is language used to convey meaning? - How do social structures and social cognition affect language? - How do we acquire the structures of language? - What can the statistical patterns of language change tell us about the brains that learn and transmit language? Along the way you will acquire skills in quantitative data analysis and basic computational theory, as well as the foundational skills of writing, argumentation, and oral presentation. The intellectual and digital tools you will master in our programme will accompany you for the rest of your life in any professional career path you choose. Our graduates go on to pursue careers in a wide variety of fields ranging from language technology, teaching, publishing, and journalism, to speech and language therapy (with further training), or careers in the police and the security services after training in forensic speech science (a specialty at York). The BSc Linguistics at York will stretch you, expand your horizons, make you question both common and unfamiliar assumptions with confidence and astuteness, equipping you to become a lifelong independent and critical learner. MSci Linguistics is the scientific study of the human capacity for language, a trait which distinguishes our lineage from that of the (other) great apes. Humans can uniquely express a potentially infinite number of thoughts using finite means, and how the brain is able to accomplish this is a fascinating and difficult problem. The MSci Linguistics programme is a four-year Integrated Masters degree that allows students to focus on theoretical, experimental and data science approaches to analysing the human language ability, culminating in a capstone module involving an individual research project or dissertation of your design. All students will be provided with the necessary theoretical, quantitative and computational skills. For your capstone module, you will be paired one-to-one with a member of staff who will act as your supervisor. Studying the MSci Linguistics at York will allow you to explore the questions that are central to the study of language and take you on an exhilarating journey of discovery, guided by some of the world's foremost experts. You will learn the the basic facts about language and its structure and progress to the cutting edge of current research in large-scale linguistic comparison and the relevance of brain imaging in constructing linguistic theories. You will learn about the sound systems of languages, their morphology and syntax, how meaning is built and how we can go, step by step, from the smallest aspect of sound to the meaning of a whole discourse. You will learn to deal with controversial proposals, weigh up the evidence and the quality of the arguments and evaluate hypotheses. In your fourth year, you will take advanced research-led modules and undergo rigorous research training to develop extended, individual research projects of their own, guided by your research supervisor. Some of the big questions you will address are: - How is language processed in the brain? - What structures and properties do all languages, and therefore all humans, share? - How can data science and computational methods aid us in analysing language? - To what extent can languages differ in their structure? - How is language used to convey meaning? - How do social structures and social cognition affect language? - How do we acquire the structures of language? - What can the statistical patterns of language change tell us about the brains that learn and transmit language? - How do I formulate research questions that probe into the human capacity for language? Along the way you will acquire skills in quantitative data analysis and basic computational theory, as well as the foundational skills of writing, argumentation, and oral presentation. You will also undergo rigorous research training as part of your capstone module. The intellectual and digital tools you will master in our programme will accompany you for the rest of your life in any professional career path you choose. Our graduates go on to pursue careers in a wide variety of fields ranging from language technology, teaching, publishing, and journalism, to speech and language therapy (with further training), or careers in the police and the security services after training in forensic speech science (a specialty at York). Furthermore, as an MSci student, you will benefit through working on a large research capstone project of your design. This will put concrete research experience on your CV, whether for further advanced study in Linguistics or related subjects, or for analyst roles in industry. Doing linguistics at York will stretch you, expand your horizons, make you question both common and unfamiliar assumptions with confidence and astuteness and will equip you to become a lifelong independent learner and researcher."
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53	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
54	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?				Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
55	Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)			Exit Award Only	Students will have a basic understanding of the key aspects of linguistics, achieving PLOs 1, 3, 5, and 7.				120 credits; at least 90 credits C-level
56	Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)			Exit Award Only	Students will have a deeper understanding of linguistics as well as basic statistical literacy, achieving PLOs 1, 3, 5, 7, and to a lesser extent PLOs 2 and 4.				240 credits; at least 90 credits I-level
57	Ordinary Degree			Exit Award Only	Students will achieve PLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and PLO 6 to a lesser extent.				300 credits; at least 60 credits H-level over stages 2 and 3
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59	Programme Learning Outcomes
60	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
61	1	BSc: Identify and select appropriate formal, quantitative and formal research methods to the problems of the nature, use, and acquisition of language. MSci: Additionally, apply and use these methods to independent research.
62	2	BSc: Collate, process, and analyse complex data sets in order to support arguments and to confirm or reject hypotheses, by applying computational and data science methods underpinned by a working knowledge of statistics and computer programming. MSci: Additionally, apply theoretical, statistical, and data science techniques in an independent research project.
63	3	BSci & MSci: Confidently engage with intricate, complex and unfamiliar linguistic phenomena, discern relevant patterns and provide rigorous, formal analyses for them.
64	4	BSc & MSci: Propose creative and principled solutions to linguistic problems and contribute them effectively to interdisciplinary teams, to gain a holistic and multifaceted understanding of the interplay between cognitive science, the social sciences, and the natural sciences.
65	5	BSc & MSci: Communicate clearly and effectively the nature and relevance of linguistic questions and controversies, the pivotal significance of language for human cognition, and the ways in which a more precise understanding of language structure can aid public policy and discourse.
66	6	BSc: Critically engage with theoretical arguments and interpret statistical findings, showing clear reasoning, an understanding of different viewpoints, and statistical literacy. MSci: Additionally, situate their critique and novel findings within the broader research landscape.
67	7	BSc & MSci: Identify and formulate novel questions and work effectively on them individually and as part of a larger team, taking on different roles both in research and management across a range of work environments collaborating and interacting effectively with other team members.
68	8	MSCi only: Create detailed and persuasive, academically and ethically informed, project proposals at a professional level, and initiate, develop and complete a substantial independent research project, while managing their own development as researchers and professionals, demonstrating the ability to reflect on their own practice and on feedback received, and seeking assistance where appropriate.
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70	Diverse entry routes
71	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
72	This programme does not have any specific prerequisites from entry and is suitable for students from almost any background. Students applying through the IPC route are welcome from the following strands: Law and Social Sciences; Physics, Mathematics, Computing and Electronic Engineering; Mathematics, Economics and Actuarial Science; Humanities, Creative Arts and Media. All other necessary training will be provided during the course of study.
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74	Inclusion
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76	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.										TRUE
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78	Employability
79	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
80	Our programmes support and enhance student employability by focusing on the development of analytical skills and the ability to mobilise subject knowledge through critical engagement, which is one of the most sought after skills in the modern work market. Specifically, the BSc Linguistics will focus on skills such as IT and data science (collecting, collating and managing data), communication and collaboration, problem solving, as well as a healthy dose of humanistic skills such as social, cultural and political impacts in the analysis of linguistic data.
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83	[For Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes Only]
84	Are you offering any variations of this programme, such as additional years abroad or industry?
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86	Year abroad			NO		Will the year abroad programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?				N/A
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88	Year in industry			NO		Will the year in industry programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?				N/A
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90	Year in enterprise			NO
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92	Placement year			YES
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95	Part-Time Structure (Normally PGT Only): For part-time variants of programmes, please use the box below to specify which modules will be taken in year 1 and which will be taken in year 2 (and so on if more than 2 years).
96	N/A
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