BA (Hons) in 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			BA (Hons) in Linguistics
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2024		Award type			BA
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9	What level is this qualification?			6		Length of programme			3 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 & Linguistic Science
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17	Lead department			Language & Linguistic 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?			On-campus
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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
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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, s3.2 in decided obligatory modules, 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.
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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 BSc Linguistics and BA English Language and Linguistics, any stage. Possible from One Language & Linguistics, stage 2 sem 1.			Transfers out:	Possibly to BA English Language and Linguistics (either requiring dip down in stage 2 or waiving requirement for Structure of English in stage 1). BSc Linguistics in Y2 Sem 1 (in order to take Linguistics as Data Science).
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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	Linguistics is the study of the nature, use, and acquisition of language, that fascinating and uniquely human capacity to express an infinite number of thoughts using finite means. Every major civilisation has a tradition - spanning thousands of years - of thinking about language, and it is easy to see why. Understanding language goes to the heart of the question ""what makes us human?"". Studying linguistics at York will allow you to explore the questions that are central to the study of language. Some of these questions are: - What structures and properties do all languages share? - To what extent do languages differ in their structure? - How is language used to convey meaning? - How do social structures affect language? - How do we acquire the structures of language? - How is language processed in the brain? The linguistics programme at York will take you on an exhilarating journey of discovery, guided by some of the world's foremost experts, from the basic facts about language and its structure 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 shape 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 make up your own mind in the end. Along the way you will acquire skills in writing, argumentation, and presentation and you will gain mastery of digital tools for research and analysis that 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 teaching, publishing, journalism and broadcasting, various careers in management to further training in speech and language therapy, language technology, or forensic speech science leading to careers in the police and the security services. Others choose to pursue further advanced study of linguistics. 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.
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62	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).
63	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
64	Certificate of Higher Education			Exit award only	Students will have a basic understanding of the key aspects of linguistics, achieving PLOs 1, 2, 4, and 6.			120 credits; at least 100 credits C-level.
65	Diploma of Higher Education			Exit award only	Students will have a deeper understanding of linguistics, achieving PLOs 1, 2, 4, 6, and to a lesser extent PLOs 3 and 5.			240 credits; at least 100 credits I-level.
66	Ordinary Degree			Exit award only	Students will achieve all PLOs, with PLOs 3 and 5 to a lesser extent.			300 credits; at least 60 credits H-level over stages 2 and 3.
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68	Programme Learning Outcomes
69	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...'
70	1	Select and deploy appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods acquired through the study of the nature, use, and acquisition of language to gain a holistic and multifaceted understanding of a range of issues in the cognitive and social sciences.
71	2	Approach with confidence intricate, complex and unfamiliar linguistic phenomena, discern relevant patterns and convey their significance to a variety of audiences.
72	3	Propose creative and principled solutions to linguistic problems and contribute them effectively to interdisciplinary teams, forming a bridge between humanities and scientific disciplines.
73	4	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 knowledge of language influences behaviour.
74	5	Synthesise and critically engage with arguments from a variety of standpoints, showing clear reasoning and an understanding of linguistic and cultural diversity.
75	6	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.
76	7	Show sensitivity and perceptiveness concerning aspects of social, cultural, and political realities where language plays an important role and be able to highlight the relevance of linguistic issues to policy-making in a globalised and interconnected world.
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79	Diverse entry routes
80	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.
81	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, and Humanities, Creative Arts and Media. All other necessary training will be provided during the course of study.
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90	Inclusion
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92	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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94	Employability
95	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.
96	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 BA will focus on bridging the gap between the sciences and humanities, through communication and collaboration, problem-solving, and an understanding of social, cultural and political impacts in the analysis of linguistic data.
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