Course Overview
The study of Sociolinguistics combines a core focus of linguistics courses with the opportunity to study a wide range of related subject areas, enabling you to look at language in a variety of social contexts. This interdisciplinary field sees the meeting of linguistics, sociology, social psychology, cultural studies and anthropology, and you'll be able to focus to a great degree on the areas which interest you the most, choosing from courses including sociology, psychology, anthropology, cultural studies and gender studies.
In your first year you'll explore role of language in society, alongside two subjects of your choice. In the second and third years of your degree you'll hone your research skills by carrying out your own research project on a topic which interests you. You'll be under the guidance of our award-winning teaching staff, which includes two National Teaching Fellows.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Linguistics and English Language department.
Year 2
- Discourse Analysis: Looking at Language in Use
Year 3
- Dissertation
- Language and Identities: Gender, ethnicity and class
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Linguistics and English Language department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: AAA/AAB inc. English Lang, English Comb or a modern/classical language. We normally expect three A-levels.
General Studies: Accepted as one of 3 A-levels
Key skills: Not included in offer
GCSE: Normally Maths and a language
Scottish Highers: ABBBB
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 34-36 pts overall with 16 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: Overall grades DDD/DDM
Mature students: We are keen to recruit mature students. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
IELTS: 6.5
Careers
Sociolinguistics degrees allow you to develop strong analytical skills, cultivating an enquiring mind and impressive interpersonal and communication skills which will stand you in good stead for your career. Working closely with the University's Centre for Enterprise, Employability and Careers, we'll help you make the most of the transferable skills you'll develop during your time with us by advising you through every stage of the career planning process.
Linguistics degrees offer useful training and expertise for a range of careers, in particular education, language teaching, speech therapy, translation, information technology, management, the mass media, creative arts, social work and counselling. Recent graduates have gone to work or train as teachers of English overseas, teachers of English as a mother tongue, computer programmers and consultants, bankers, chartered accountants, personnel managers, journalists, social workers and so on. A sizeable proportion of our graduates take up employment overseas.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments designed to best support the requirements of your chosen degree programme. These may include lecture and tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory sessions, other practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based elivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, short and sharply focussed critical reports, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Multiple choice formats are also employed where appropriate. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university’s online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. In addition to government maintenance loans, grants and national scholarships, Lancaster University offers a range of financial support for full time UK Undergraduate students from lower-income backgrounds. Many students each year will be entitled to bursaries or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses.
The Lancaster Scholarship package is designed to reward the hard work and natural ability of full-time UK students applying to study with us regardless of their household income. Students achieving A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications) will receive a £1,000 per year Lancaster Scholarship during their undergraduate studies if they place us as their firm choice institution. Continuation of the Lancaster Scholarship is subject to satisfactory academic progression.
Our combined £5,000 bursary package will help students from England whose household incomes are less than £25,000 per year with fees and living costs.
Students from England eligible for our £5,000 bursary package will also be awarded a £3,000 Lancaster Scholarship if they achieve A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications). This totals £8,000 of support for students during their studies.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page.
